povidone-iodine + talc

Povidone-iodine + talc is a combination of two sclerosing agents used for chemical pleurodesis, a procedure intended to obliterate the pleural space and prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax or malignant pleural effusion. Talc (hydrated magnesium silicate) is a potent sclerosant that induces a robust inflammatory response and subsequent fibrosis between the visceral and parietal pleura. Povidone-iodine, commonly used as a topical antiseptic, acts as a chemical irritant when administered into the pleural cavity, promoting pleural symphysis. While these agents are frequently compared as monotherapies in clinical trials, they are occasionally used in combination or sequentially to enhance the inflammatory reaction and improve the success rate of the procedure, particularly in resource-limited settings where medical-grade talc may be less accessible.

Other names

iodopovidone + talctalc and povidone-iodine combination