Formulary

13.11.1 Alcohols and saline

First Line
Second Line
Specialist
Hospital Only

Alcohol

Industrial methylated spirit
  • Solution 95%
  • Solution 70%, 600ml
Surgical Spirit, BP
  • Spirit
Isopropyl alcohol
  • 70%, 600ml
Sterile denatured ethanol in water for injection
  • 70% spray, 360ml

Saline

Sodium Chloride

Notes

  1. Drinking water can be used to irrigate the majority of wounds where a sterile product is not indicated, e.g. a chronic leg ulcer
  2. Where a preferred brand is recommended for a particular presentation, prescribing by brand helps ensure cost-efficient use of local NHS resources (see preferred brand link above)