The percutaneous permeation of a combination of 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride and 2% 2-phenoxyethanol (octenisept®) through skin of different species in vitro.
Authors: Stahl Jessica, Braun Michael, Siebert Joerg, Kietzmann Manfred
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Percutaneous Permeation of Octenisept® Through Equine and Other Animal Skin Octenisept®, a topical antiseptic combination containing 0.1% octenidine dihydrochloride and 2% 2-phenoxyethanol, is well-established in human medicine but lacks veterinary registration, raising questions about its suitability and safety for animal use. Researchers employed Franz-type diffusion cells to measure how readily these two active components penetrate intact and compromised skin from horses, cattle, dogs and cats over a 28-hour period, analysing permeation rates using UV-HPLC and calculating permeability coefficients and maximum flux values. The study also examined residual component concentrations within skin tissues post-application and simulated wounded bovine skin through repeated tape-stripping to model barrier compromise. Key findings revealed species-specific variations in permeation rates, with implications for dosing regimens and systemic absorption risk across different animals—data particularly relevant when considering octenisept® for equine wound management or contaminated skin conditions. For farriers, veterinarians and equine therapists, these results provide pharmacokinetic evidence necessary to assess whether octenisept® could be safely and effectively incorporated into wound protocols, though the absence of in vivo data means clinical validation in horses remains essential before widespread adoption.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Octenisept® is safe for topical use on intact equine and other animal skin with minimal risk of systemic absorption or toxicity
- •The product is particularly suitable for wound treatment where barrier function is compromised, as penetration increases with tissue damage
- •Efficacy as a topical antiseptic is supported by local skin retention rather than systemic action
Key Findings
- •Octenidine dihydrochloride and 2-phenoxyethanol show minimal permeation through intact skin of cats, dogs, cattle, and horses over 28 hours
- •Tape-stripped (wounded) cattle skin demonstrated increased permeation compared to intact skin, indicating barrier function dependency
- •Both compounds remain primarily in the stratum corneum and epidermis with limited systemic absorption potential
- •Species-specific permeation differences were observed, suggesting variable skin barrier properties across animal types