Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Didecyldimethylammonium chloride is an antiseptic/disinfectant that is used in many biocidal applications. They cause disruption of intermolecular interactions and dissociation of lipid bilayers. They are broad spectrum bactericidal and fungicidal and can be used as disinfectant cleaner for linen, recommended for use in hospitals, hotels and industries. It is also used in gynaecology, surgery, ophthalmology, pediatrics, OT, and for the sterilization of surgical instruments, endoscopes and surface disinfection.
In mice this disinfectant was found to cause infertility and birth defects.[2]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]