Dequalinium chlorideProduct ingredient for Dequalinium

Dequalinium is an antibacterial agent with multi-targeted actions. It also possesses antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties.⁹ It is a quaternary ammonium compound,¹⁰ as it consists of an amphipathic cation with two aminoquinaldinium rings at both ends of a long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain. Due to its flexible structure, dequalinium was investigated to build drug and gene delivery systems.⁹

First used as an antiseptic and disinfectant in the 1950s, dequalinium is still found in various OTC products to treat conditions of oral infections and inflammation.⁹ It is also used in vaginal tablets to treat bacterial vaginosis.¹⁰