Benzalkonium

• Use For handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin

Directions wet hands apply palmful to hands scrub thoroughly rinse thoroughly

For external use only: hands only

1. 1Drug Ineffective13828%
2. 2Drug Hypersensitivity12626%
3. 3Arthralgia12525%
4. 4Condition Aggravated12325%
5. 5Pain In Extremity12225%
6. 6Therapy Non-responder12125%
7. 7Infection12024%
8. 8Musculoskeletal Stiffness11924%
9. 9Musculoskeletal Pain11824%
10. 10Joint Swelling11724%
11. 11Hepatotoxicity11624%
12. 12Neoplasm Malignant11624%
13. 13Gastrointestinal Toxicity11523%
14. 14Joint Injury11423%
15. 15Pulmonary Toxicity11423%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Benzalkonium as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Thermosensitive in situ Hydrogel Based on Benzalkonium Chloride-Loaded Selenium-Doped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Diabetic Chronic Wound Treatment.
  International journal of nanomedicine · 2026 · Liu Y, Wang K, Li Y, et al.
  PMID 42220972DOI 10.2147/IJN.S594500
• Synergistic cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride and didecyldimethylammonium chloride mixtures revealed by stress granule formation.
  Toxicology · 2026 · Kim MJ, Kim EM, Kim KK, et al.
  PMID 42155800DOI 10.1016/j.tox.2026.154504
• Insights into Cronobacter sakazakii adaptation to Benzalkonium chloride: virulence assessment and transcriptomics analysis.
  Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.) · 2026 · Niu H, Wang X, Wang Y, et al.
  PMID 42116425DOI 10.1016/j.foodres.2026.119088
• Benzalkonium chloride and its derivatives as 5α-reductase 1 inhibitors to disrupt neurosteroid biosynthesis.
  Bioorganic chemistry · 2026 · Huang Y, Ding C, Wang S, et al.
  PMID 41974091DOI 10.1016/j.bioorg.2026.109850
• Benzalkonium chloride adaptation induces filamentation in Listeria monocytogenes HL06 and enhances its growth in pasteurized milk and pork sausage at 4 °C.
  Food microbiology · 2026 · Yu T, Jiang X, Xu X, et al.
  PMID 41963056DOI 10.1016/j.fm.2026.105083
• Biodegradation of benzalkonium chloride: effect of carbon substrate on microbial community structure and antimicrobial susceptibility.
  Biodegradation · 2026 · Orozco AMF, Ceretta MB, Contreras EM, et al.
  PMID 41882371DOI 10.1007/s10532-026-10279-w
• Benzalkonium chlorides compromise oocyte maturation and developmental competence by disrupting mitochondrial function and the SIRT3-SOD2 antioxidant axis.
  Animal reproduction science · 2026 · Lay K, Zhang D, Wang H, et al.
  PMID 41833228DOI 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2026.108163
• Adaptive hydrophobicity shifts in Listeria monocytogenes under subinhibitory exposure to benzalkonium chloride, peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite.
  Food microbiology · 2026 · Vega-Sánchez A, deDios-Pont JM, Cruz-Vera P, et al.
  PMID 41722978DOI 10.1016/j.fm.2025.105035

The 10 most recently updated of 75 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Benzalkonium as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Development and Clinical Study of Burn Wound Nursing Dressing Based on Sodium Hyaluronate Carbomer Composite Hydrogel
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 30 enrolled · The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College
  NCT07568600updated 2026-05-06
• Xylitol BSI Multisite - Reduction of Bloodstream Infections From Oral Organisms in Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 419 enrolled · Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
  NCT05579639updated 2026-04-22
• The Effects of a Postbiotic Supplement on Biomarkers of Gut Health
  Completed · Observational · 76 enrolled · Verb Biotics LLC
  NCT07527286updated 2026-04-14
• Effect of Novel Exhalational Delivery System With Fluticasone (EDS-FLU) on Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  NCT05275686updated 2026-03-11
• Nasal Decongestant to Reduce Perioperative Adverse Events in Children With Upper Respiratory Track Infections Having Anesthesia.
  Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 200 enrolled · Telethon Kids Institute
  NCT07000877updated 2025-11-19
• Hybrid Osteoplasty Versus Osteotomy in Rhinoplasty
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 200 enrolled · University of Sulaimani
  NCT07142525updated 2025-10-02
• The Outcomes of Keystone Perforator Island Flap Versus Lay Open in Re-recurrent Pilonidal Sinus Disease
  Completed · Interventional · 24 enrolled · Zagazig University
  NCT06741449updated 2025-08-17
• Effectiveness of Mometasone Nasal Irrigation for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
  Completed · Phase 4 · Interventional · 53 enrolled · Washington University School of Medicine
  NCT03705793updated 2025-06-26
• The Effect of Antibiotic Eye Drops on the Nasal Microbiome in Healthy Subjects
  Completed · Phase 2 · Interventional · 20 enrolled · Medical University of Vienna
  NCT05287425updated 2025-05-16
• Reduction of Staph Aureus Carriage by Non-Antibiotic NOZIN® Nasal Sanitizer® Antiseptic
  Completed · Interventional · 39 enrolled · Medical University of South Carolina
  NCT01861457updated 2024-10-02

Frequently asked questions

What is Benzalkonium used for?

According to FDA labeling, Benzalkonium carries indications including: Use For handwashing to decrease bacteria on the skin. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Benzalkonium?

Benzalkonium is classified as Antiseptics, Medicated dressings with antiinfectives, Quaternary ammonium compounds.

What are the brand names for Benzalkonium?

Benzalkonium is marketed under brand names including Allercaine, Alocane Max Strength, Alocane Plus, Bactine, Bactine Wound Wash, Band-Aid Hurt-Free, Cicloferon, DigiSan E Foam.