Sodium Hypochlorite

Sodium hypochlorite has long been recognized as for its effectiveness as an antiseptic and disinfectant. In his historic pioneering work, in which he settled in a convincing clinical trial the importance of hand disinfection, Semmelweis used sodium hypochlorite as a hand wash and disinfectant to reduce mortality from childhood fever [1]. In another historic discovery, Carrel and Dakin introduced 0.45%-0.5% buffered sodium hypochlorite for the treatment of traumatic wounds during the First World War [2, 3]. This solution, known as Dakin’s solution revolutionized the treatment of traumatic wounds and was used during the war and after. The effectiveness if sodium hypochlorite solutions as an antimicrobial is unquestioned, however its practical use in medicine had been limited due to stability. However, the method of manufacture makes the medical use of sodium hypochlorite a viable option.

Electrolytically produced sodium hypochlorite solutions, Amuchina/ExSept solutions, differ from other commercially produced sodium hypochlorites by the method of manufacture. The electrolytic process yields a sodium hypochlorite solution that is stable at a lower pH eliminating the need to add large quantities of stabilizers, as with other sodium hypochlorites that are both detrimental to wound healing and reduce the antimicrobial activity of the solution. The result is a highly effective antimicrobial with very good compatibility.

The beneficial penetration of the use of electrolytically produced sodium hypochlorite solutions in dialysis have made excellent progress, however, further advances are expected as the efficacy and safety of the product becomes more widely understood.

Ronco, C., Mishkin, G: Disinfection by Sodium Hypochlorite: Dialysis Applications 2006.