A big help to medicine

08/2008

Chlorine-based plastics are used in bags for intravenous drips and blood transfusions, and in sterile tubing.

Preventing infections

Chlorine is essential in producing many life-saving medicines.

In hospitals, chlorine compounds help protect patients from infections through their use in cleaning, disinfection and as antiseptics. Their many benefits include the ability to:

Prevent bacterial contamination of patients' burns and wounds;
Disinfect kidney dialysis machines;
Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment in medical laboratories;
Kill bacteria such as those which cause Legionnaire's disease, and which can live in hospital water and air conditioning systems.

Medicines rely on chlorine

Drug name	Therapeutic category	Purpose/benefit
Chlorcyclizine	Antihistamine	Relieves allergy symptoms
Chlordiazepoxide,	Tranquiliser	Reduces anxiety
Chloroquine	Antimalerial	Prevents and teats malaria
Chlorpheniramine	Antihistamine	Relieves allergy symptoms
Clobenfural	Coronary vasodilator	Enlarges blood vesels of the heart
Clobutinal	Antitussive	Suppresses coughing
Clometacin	Analgesic	Relieves pain
Clonazepam	Anticonvulsant	Prevents convulsions
Clorindione	Anticoagulant	Reduces blood clotting
Clorprenaline	Bronchodilator	Expands passages to the lungs
Chlortetracycline	Antibiotic	Treats eye and ear infections
Clospirazine	Antipsychotic	Treats psychological disturbances
Clotrimazol	Antimycotic	Treats foot infections "athletes foot")
Mitotane	Antineoplastic	Inhibits growth and formation of tumours

Some 85% of pharmaceuticals contain or are manufactured using chlorine, including products to treat Aids, allergies, arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, infections, pneumonia and ulcers. An example is the natural antibiotic vancomycin, an effective medicine in fighting hospital Staphylococcus infections. Chlorine-containing compounds are also important intermediates in the manufacture of vitamin C.

Through its use in PVC, chlorine contributes to safety in tamper-resistant medicine packs.

Through its use in PVC, chlorine also contributes to safety in tamper-resistant pharmaceutical packaging and in "blister" packs, which help extend shelf-life and make it easier for patients to take the correct dose.

One-quarter of medical devices contain chlorine. For example, chlorine-based plastics are used to make intravenous drips and blood bags, sterile tubing and packaging, prosthetics and heart catheters. Chlorine is also used to make the semiconductors for diagnostic instruments, and polystyrene coolers for organ transplants. Common salt is the basis of intravenous saline solutions.