A method for a) preventing or reducing the growth or proliferation of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms on at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the method comprises using α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof as an antimicrobial or antibiofilm agent, comprising the steps of: providing at least one surface of a medical device; providing a composition comprising α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof; and contacting the at least one surface with the composition in an amount sufficient to prevent or reduce the growth or proliferation of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms on the at least one surface, or b) removing at least a portion of or reducing the number of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms attached to at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the method comprises using α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof as an antimicrobial or antibiofilm agent, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the microorganisms or bio film-embedded microorganisms are attached to the at least one surface, providing a composition comprising α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof; and, contacting the composition with the at least one surface in an amount sufficient to remove at least a portion of or reduce the number of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms attached to the at least one surface, wherein the analog of α-lipoic acid is selected from the group consisting of lipoamide, dihydrolipoic acid, dihydrolipoamide, an ester derivative of α-lipoic acid, and ester derivative of dihydrolipoic acid, asparagusic acid, an ester derivative of asparagusic acid, 3,3'-dimercapto-isobutyric acid, an ester derivative of 3,3'-dimercapto-isobutyric acid, any salt or solvate thereof, or any combinations thereof, wherein the ester derivative is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, benzyl, or stearyl ester and wherein the composition comprises at least one additional antimicrobial agent, wherein said antimicrobial agent is gentamicin, doxycycline or levofloxacin, wherein the α-lipoic acid or the analog thereof constitutes about 0.01% to about 100 % by weight of the composition and wherein the term "about" encompasses a variation of ±20%. a) preventing or reducing the growth or proliferation of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms on at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the method comprises using α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof as an antimicrobial or antibiofilm agent, comprising the steps of: providing at least one surface of a medical device; providing a composition comprising α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof; and contacting the at least one surface with the composition in an amount sufficient to prevent or reduce the growth or proliferation of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms on the at least one surface, or providing at least one surface of a medical device; providing a composition comprising α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof; and contacting the at least one surface with the composition in an amount sufficient to prevent or reduce the growth or proliferation of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms on the at least one surface, or b) removing at least a portion of or reducing the number of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms attached to at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the method comprises using α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof as an antimicrobial or antibiofilm agent, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the microorganisms or bio film-embedded microorganisms are attached to the at least one surface, providing a composition comprising α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof; and, contacting the composition with the at least one surface in an amount sufficient to remove at least a portion of or reduce the number of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms attached to the at least one surface, wherein the analog of α-lipoic acid is selected from the group consisting of lipoamide, dihydrolipoic acid, dihydrolipoamide, an ester derivative of α-lipoic acid, and ester derivative of dihydrolipoic acid, asparagusic acid, an ester derivative of asparagusic acid, 3,3'-dimercapto-isobutyric acid, an ester derivative of 3,3'-dimercapto-isobutyric acid, any salt or solvate thereof, or any combinations thereof, wherein the ester derivative is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, benzyl, or stearyl ester and wherein the composition comprises at least one additional antimicrobial agent, wherein said antimicrobial agent is gentamicin, doxycycline or levofloxacin, wherein the α-lipoic acid or the analog thereof constitutes about 0.01% to about 100 % by weight of the composition and wherein the term "about" encompasses a variation of ±20%. providing at least one surface of a medical device, wherein the microorganisms or bio film-embedded microorganisms are attached to the at least one surface, providing a composition comprising α-lipoic acid or an analog thereof; and, contacting the composition with the at least one surface in an amount sufficient to remove at least a portion of or reduce the number of microorganisms or biofilm-embedded microorganisms attached to the at least one surface,