Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
General product information only, not medical advice. Choice and use of a wound dressing belongs to a clinician and the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Short answer
Maxorb is a Medline Industries brand of alginate wound dressings. The line has three variants: Maxorb Extra Ag+ (calcium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose and ionic silver), Maxorb Extra CMC + Alginate (the same blend without silver) and Maxorb II (100% calcium alginate). Medline describes them as primary dressings for moderate to heavily draining wounds.
Definition and scope
Maxorb is a product line, not a generic dressing type. Medline’s catalog page describes calcium alginate as seaweed-derived fibers and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a nonwoven component blended into two of the three variants. For the wider category, see what a medical dressing is and highly absorbent wound dressings.
How Medline describes its use
Per Medline’s catalog page (read 2026-11-08), the dressings are indicated for shallow or deep wounds with moderate to heavy drainage and are placed directly on the wound as a primary dressing. The silver in Extra Ag+ is described as giving antimicrobial protection and reducing odor. The manufacturer states two cautions: the dressing is “not for use on dry wounds or wounds that are heavily bleeding,” and “because the dressing has no adhesive to hold it in place, it should always be paired with a secondary dressing.” Application and removal technique is set out in the manufacturer’s instructions for use and is not covered here.
Maxorb variants compared
| Variant | Composition | Maximum wear time | Shapes listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxorb Extra Ag+ | Calcium alginate, nonwoven CMC, ionic silver | Up to 21 days | Square sheet, rectangle sheet, rope |
| Maxorb Extra CMC + Alginate | Calcium alginate and nonwoven CMC, no silver | 7 days | Square sheet, rope |
| Maxorb II | 100% calcium alginate, no silver | 7 days | Square sheet, rope |
Source: Medline catalog page for Maxorb Extra Ag+, CMC and alginate dressings, read 2026-11-08. Medline lists the dressings as cut-to-fit.
FDA classification and product codes
The FDA’s GUDID data, queried through openFDA on 2026-11-08 (openFDA data last updated 2026-10-26), shows nine MAXORB records from Medline Industries, all in commercial distribution, single-use, sterile and flagged as prescription (is_rx). The records split into two regulatory patterns:
| Model in GUDID | Product code | Regulation / class | Premarket submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTRA Ag (silver alginate) | FRO, “Dressing, Wound, Drug” | Class listed as unclassified (“U”) | K070581 |
| EXTRA Alginate; ES reinforced CMC/alginate ribbon | NAC, “Dressing, Wound, Hydrophilic” | 21 CFR 878.4018, class 1 | None listed |
The K070581 record in the openFDA 510(k) database is titled “Silver Alginate II Wound Dressing”, applicant Advanced Medical Solutions Limited, decision date 2007-07-13, product code FRO. The Maxorb Extra Ag UDI record references that submission; this page claims nothing beyond that reference. Silver-containing and non-silver variants therefore sit under different product codes in the FDA’s data.
Common misunderstandings
- “Maxorb” is not a material. It is a brand; the alginate, CMC and silver content differs by variant.
- Silver does not change the dressing type. Extra Ag+ is still an alginate/CMC dressing; the silver component is the difference, and is what the longer 21-day maximum wear time is attached to in Medline’s listing. Compare the category in calcium alginate vs silver alginate and Aquacel Ag vs calcium alginate.
- It does not hold itself in place. Medline states there is no adhesive and a secondary dressing is required.
- Maximum wear time is not a recommendation to leave a dressing for that long. It is the manufacturer’s upper limit; the clinician decides.
Where it matters for clinics and supply staff
Staff comparing listings can use the table above to match a variant to its composition and shape, and the GUDID records to confirm the manufacturer, sterility and single-use status of a specific model. Silver-containing dressings are comparable in kind to products such as Silverlon. Clinical selection is outside the scope of this page.
FAQ
What is Maxorb made of?
Maxorb II is 100% calcium alginate. Extra CMC + Alginate adds nonwoven carboxymethylcellulose. Extra Ag+ adds ionic silver to that blend (Medline, 2026-11-08).
How long can Maxorb stay on?
Medline lists a maximum of 7 days for Maxorb II and Extra CMC + Alginate, and up to 21 days for Extra Ag+.
Is Maxorb sterile?
The GUDID records for MAXORB list the devices as sterile and single-use.
Does Maxorb need a secondary dressing?
Yes. Medline states it has no adhesive and should always be paired with a secondary dressing.
Sources
- Medline, Maxorb Extra Ag+, CMC and alginate dressings catalog page, read 2026-11-08.
- FDA, openFDA device UDI/GUDID records for brand MAXORB, read 2026-11-08.
- FDA, openFDA 510(k) record K070581, read 2026-11-08.
