Abstract: The present invention relates to zinc gluconate gel-containing topical compositions which have an anti-irritant effect on the skin. In particular embodiments, the gel matrix may further comprise chlorhexidine gluconate, wherein the zinc gluconate gel diminishes the irritant and/or allergenic effect of the chlorhexidine gluconate.

Abstract: A composition of matter containing zinc gluconate gel as an irritant-inactivating agent, and a substance which substantially prevents the irritant-inactivating agent from binding to the surface, wherein the irritant-inactivating agent in the composition is present in an amount effective to inactivate irritants in fluids which contact the composition, is described. Surgical instruments and physical barriers with the aforementioned composition applied thereto are also described. A method of inactivating irritants in a fluid contacting skin comprising applying the aforementioned composition to the skin is also disclosed. A method of inactivating irritants in a fluid contacting skin covered with a physical barrier comprising applying the aforementioned composition to the skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing an infection-resistant medical device comprising one or more matrix-forming polymers selected from the group consisting of biomedical polyurethane, biomedical silicones and biodegradable polymers, and antimicrobial agents, especially a synergistic combination of a silver salt and chlorhexidine (or its salts); also disclosed are medical devices having the synergistic composition therein or compositions thereon.

Abstract: Topical compositions for use in the treatment of burns and other infection-prone wounds and of ocular infection are provided. These compositions comprise silver or a silver salt, an antibiotic selected from among aminoglycoside antibiotics and quinolone antibiotics, with the proviso that the antibiotic is not norfloxacin; and a sterile carrier, such as water or an ointment base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting transmission of Hepatitis B virus using compositions comprising silver sulfadiazine and preferably further comprising a biguanide such as chlorhexidine and/or a detergent such as sodium deoxycholate. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that silver sulfadiazine alone or in combination with chlorhexidine or sodium deoxycholate was shown to inhibit Hepatitis B virus DNA synthesis. The inhibitory effect of silver sulfadiazine was enhanced by combining silver sulfadiazine with either chlorhexidine or sodium deoxycholate.

Abstract: An antiviral surgical or examination glove is obtained by blocking adsorption sites for the antiinfective agent which may exist in the lubricating agent, e.g., cross-linked corn starch, or in the material of the glove itself. The glove of the invention comprises an elastomeric hand-shaped body having interior and exterior surfaces and an inner coating disposed on the interior surface of the elastomeric body. The inner coating comprises (a) an antiinfective agent selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of chlorhexidine and (b) a lubricating agent which does not significantly adsorb the antiinfective agent. The inner coating is effective to deliver an antivirally effective amount of the antiinfective agent within ten minutes of exposure to a liquid.

Abstract: A method of preparing an infection-resistant medical device comprising one or more matrix-forming polymers selected from the group consisting of biomedical polyurethane, biomedical silicones and biodegradable polymers, and antimicrobial agents, especially a synergistic combination of a silver salt and chlorhexidine (or its salts); also disclosed are medical devices having the synergistic composition therein or compositions thereon.

Abstract: An inexpensive, easily available and convenient method of inhibiting the transmission of the AIDS virus in humans as a result of sexual intercourse is provided. The method relies upon a dual mode of action of antiviral compositions comprising silver salts, such as silver sulfadiazine, alone or in combination with chlorhexidine or sodium deoxycholate. These composition are effective to reduce the infectivity of the AIDS virus and also kill the causative organisms of many other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The method of the invention is therefore useful to reduce the immediate risk of AIDS transmission. It also reduces future risk of AIDS transmission by eliminating STD causing organisms which increase the risk of AIDS.

Abstract: An infection-resistant polymeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, for use on or within a human or animal body, for example, in the form of a vascular graft, can be prepared by an improved method which comprises the following sequence of steps: (a) soaking a polymeric material with a solution of an antimicrobial agent, such as sodium sulfadiazine, oxacillin dissolved in an organic solvent therefor, such as an ethanol/chloroform mixture, (b) soaking the polymeric material with an organic solvent, such as ethanol, for a metal salt; and (c) resoaking the polymeric material with the solution of the antimicrobial agent dissolved in the organic solvent therefor. The polymeric material is dried after each soaking step. Preferably, in the intermediate soaking step (b) the organic solvent contains a metal salt, such as silver nitrate, dissolved therein, so as to form in situ the metal salt of the antimicrobial agent, such as silver sulfadiazine.

Abstract: Animal tissue and the like having silver sulfadiazine incorporated therein is useful as a covering for burns and/or wounds. The silver sulfadiazine is incorporated in the tissue by soaking the tissue in an ammoniacal silver sulfadiazine solution or suspension. When the silver sulfadiazine is so incorporated in the tissue via an ammonium solution, more silver is found to be present than would normally be expected and the effectiveness of the thus treated tissue as a wound covering increases.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition useful in burn therapy comprises silver sulfadiazine, sodium piperacillin and a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: 1-Ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid and metal salts thereof wherein the metal moiety is selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, cerium and cobalt are useful in the treatment of burns. These compounds may be applied to the affected surface of a burn victim either directly or as part of a composition together with a physiologically acceptable carrier, such as a water-dispersible, hydrophilic carrier.

Abstract: Animal tissue and the like having silver sulfadiazine incorporated therein is useful as a covering for burns and/or wounds. The silver sulfadiazine is incorporated in the tissue by soaking the tissue in an ammoniacal silver sulfadiazine solution or suspension. When the silver sulfadiazine is so incorporated in the tissue via an ammonium solution, more silver is found to be present than would normally be expected and the effectiveness of the thus treated tissue as a wound covering increases.

Abstract: Compositions which include 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid or its metal salts, e.g., silver, zinc, cobalt or cerium salts, and silver sulfadiazine are effective in the treatment of burns. Of special interest are compositions containing silver sulfadiazine and the silver salt of the above-identified quinoline carboxylic acid, wherein even though each compound is present in a concentration which would be ineffective if either compound were present alone, the resulting compositions are effective. The compositions of this invention may be applied to the affected surface of a burn victim either directly or in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier, such as a water-dispersible, hydrophilic carrier.