Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Who it is for: clinic staff, buyers and students who need to read a povidone-iodine antiseptic solution label correctly and tell one product from another. After reading you should be able to compare the strength, pack size, stated use and warnings on a label, and know which questions the product’s own instructions must answer.
What povidone-iodine antiseptic solution is
Povidone-iodine antiseptic solution is a liquid skin antiseptic whose active ingredient is povidone-iodine. On the DailyMed labels compared here it is sold as a topical solution for skin preparation before surgery, with the stated purpose of helping reduce bacteria that can cause skin infection (Leader 10% label, Cardinal Health, DailyMed). Users in clinics, surgical settings and procurement teams may also see it written as “povidone iodine antiseptic solution” or “povidone-iodine topical solution”.
It is a different product class from an iodine-impregnated wound dressing (see iodine dressings) and from other skin antiseptics such as chlorhexidine (see chlorhexidine bathing). For the wider category and its regulatory background, read what an antiseptic is.
How it is supplied
The active ingredient is declared on the front of the drug-facts label as a percentage. On the Leader label the concentration is “Povidone-iodine 10%”, written as 10 mg in 1 mL. The same label lists the inactive ingredients as citric acid anhydrous, disodium phosphate anhydrous, glycerin, polysorbate 80, purified water and sodium citrate. Inactive ingredients vary between manufacturers, which matters to anyone who must check a product against a documented allergy list.
The Jianerkang paint label gives “Povidone-Iodine, USP 10%” and “1.0% available iodine”. The two numbers are different quantities: the first names the povidone-iodine content, the second the available iodine, so do not treat them as interchangeable when comparing labels.
Types and variants on real labels
The table compares three labels published on DailyMed (the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s drug-label database). Each row is that one label only; other products differ.
| Label (manufacturer) | Strength | Pack size on label | Stated use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leader Povidone-Iodine 10% Topical Solution (Cardinal Health) | 10% (10 mg/mL) | 237 mL bottle | Preparation of the skin before surgery; helps reduce bacteria that can cause skin infection |
| Povidone Iodine Topical Solution Paint (Jianerkang Medical) | 10% (1.0% available iodine) | 88.5 mL bottle | Preparing intact skin and mucous membranes before surgery |
| Aurodone Povidone Iodine 5% Ophthalmic Solution (Aurolab) | 5% w/v (5 mg/mL) | 5 mL bottle | Pre-surgical skin antiseptic |
The pack sizes in the table are the sizes printed on these three labels, not a complete list of what is sold.
How to read the label
The labels above show what to check, and they do not all say the same thing.
- Strength and units. Confirm the percentage and whether the label says mg/mL, w/v or available iodine.
- Stated use. The Leader label says skin preparation before surgery; the Jianerkang label adds mucous membranes. A product’s use statement comes from its own label, not from the product class.
- Directions. Wording differs by label. The Leader label gives a short instruction to clean the area and apply before surgery; the Jianerkang label refers to use after a povidone-iodine scrub and says not to let the solution pool; the Aurodone label includes a two-minute contact statement. The Leader and Jianerkang labels carry no drying-time statement, so if your protocol needs one, take it from the manufacturer’s instructions for use for your product.
- Storage. The Leader label states controlled room temperature, 15 to 30 C (59 to 86 F).
For how a skin antiseptic fits into pre-injection practice, see skin antisepsis before injection.
Safe use and handling basics
Warnings that appear on the three labels:
- For external use only (Leader, Jianerkang).
- Do not use if allergic to iodine (Leader); avoid use on persons allergic to iodine (Jianerkang).
- Do not use in the eyes (Leader).
- Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation and redness develop, or if the condition persists for more than 72 hours (Leader). The Jianerkang label also lists sensitivity, pain or swelling as reasons to stop.
- Prolonged exposure to wet solution may cause irritation or, rarely, severe skin reactions (Aurodone).
- Keep out of reach of children; if swallowed, the Leader label directs the reader to Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222.
These are general label statements. Anyone with a specific reaction or health question should speak to a clinician or the manufacturer.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all povidone-iodine labels match. Strength, pack size, inactive ingredients and directions differ in the three labels above.
- Mixing up “10%” and “1.0% available iodine”. They describe different quantities on the same product.
- Ignoring the warnings about wet exposure. The Aurodone label warns that prolonged exposure to wet solution may irritate skin, and the Jianerkang label says not to allow the solution to pool.
- Treating a solution and a dressing as the same item. A liquid antiseptic and an iodine dressing are different products with different labels.
Frequently asked questions
Is povidone-iodine antiseptic solution the same as an iodine dressing?
No. The solution is a liquid skin antiseptic labelled for skin preparation, as in the labels above. An iodine dressing is a wound-contact product; see iodine dressings.
What does “external use only” mean on the label?
It means the product is labelled for use on the outside of the body and not for swallowing. The Leader label tells the reader to contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if it is swallowed, and also says not to use it in the eyes.
What does the percentage on the label mean?
It states the amount of povidone-iodine in the solution. On the Leader label, 10% is written as 10 mg in 1 mL; the Aurodone label’s 5% is written as 5 mg/mL. The Jianerkang label separately states 1.0% available iodine.
Do all povidone-iodine labels state a drying or contact time?
No. Of these three labels, only the Aurodone label includes a contact-time statement (two minutes); the Leader and Jianerkang labels do not. Check the instructions for use for your own product.
Sources
- DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine: Leader Povidone-Iodine 10% Topical Solution (Cardinal Health), checked 2026-10-30.
- DailyMed: Povidone Iodine Topical Solution Paint (Jianerkang Medical), checked 2026-10-30.
- DailyMed: Aurodone Povidone Iodine 5% Ophthalmic Solution (Aurolab), checked 2026-10-30.
