Octenidine, commonly used in the form of octenidine dihydrochloride, is a cationic bispyridine antiseptic with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. It is widely employed for skin, mucosal, and wound antisepsis because of its rapid onset of action, prolonged antimicrobial effect, minimal systemic absorption, and favorable safety profile. Octenidine was developed in the late 1970s by the German company Schülke & Mayr as an alternative to conventional antiseptics such as chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine, aiming to provide effective infection control with lower toxicity and a reduced potential for microbial resistance. Initially introduced for clinical use in Europe, it has since become an important antiseptic in hospitals and healthcare settings for wound care, preoperative skin preparation, mucosal antisepsis, and infection prevention, with growing global recognition supported by extensive clinical research demonstrating its efficacy, safety, and broad range of medical applications.
