iodine tincture

**Iodine tincture** is an alcohol-based topical antiseptic preparation containing elemental iodine, commonly formulated at approximately 2% iodine with ethanol, water, and an iodide salt such as sodium iodide or potassium iodide to maintain iodine solubility. It is used externally for first aid antisepsis of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns and has also been used for skin preparation before invasive procedures. Free iodine exerts rapid broad-spectrum microbicidal activity by iodinating and oxidizing essential microbial proteins, nucleic acids, and membrane constituents. The term is non-specific because marketed iodine tinctures vary by iodine concentration, iodide salt, alcohol content, and intended human or veterinary use. ([dailymed.nlm.nih.gov](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=4af8552c-1f2b-84ad-e063-6394a90abb62))

Brand names

CVSEqualineGNPGood SenseHealth MartIODOIoddo IodineKrogerLeaderTopCareWalgreens

Other names

iodine tincture USPmild iodine tincturetincture of iodineweak iodine solution