Acticoat

Acticoat is a nanocrystalline silver (NCS) antimicrobial barrier wound dressing manufactured by Smith & Nephew. It consists of an absorbent rayon/polyester non-woven inner core laminated between layers of silver-coated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) mesh. Upon contact with wound moisture, the dressing slowly and continuously releases silver ions (Ag+) from the nanocrystalline silver (Ag0 clusters) coating, providing sustained broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Acticoat is effective against over 150 pathogens, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). It is indicated for the management of acute and chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, burn wounds, and donor/graft sites. In clinical evaluations, such as an Australian comparative trial funded by the Angior Family Foundation, Acticoat was compared against cadexomer iodine (Iodosorb) for the treatment of infected or critically colonized lower leg ulcers, demonstrating rapid reduction in bacterial burden and promoting wound healing.

Brand names

ActicoatActicoat 7Acticoat7Acticoat-7Acticoat Flex 3Acticoat Flex 7Acticoat Surgical

Other names

nanocrystalline silver dressingnanocrystalline silver antimicrobial barrier dressing