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AQUACEL is Convatec’s brand name for a family of wound dressings built on Hydrofiber technology: a soft, non-woven dressing made of sodium carboxymethylcellulose fibre that forms a gel when it takes up wound fluid. This page lists the main variants, the sizes Convatec publishes for one of them, and the product labelling points that matter for handling and purchasing.
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice. Who uses it: wound-care clinicians and nurses, clinic and facility supply staff, procurement and billing staff, and students learning dressing categories.
What is AQUACEL?
AQUACEL is a brand of absorbent wound dressings made by Convatec. Convatec describes the AQUACEL EXTRA dressing as suited to “moderate to highly exuding wounds”, meaning wounds that produce a lot of fluid. It is not a generic term for all fibre dressings: the name belongs to one manufacturer’s product range, and “Hydrofiber” is that manufacturer’s name for its fibre technology.
How is it built?
According to the Convatec instructions for use (IFU) for AQUACEL Ag+ EXTRA, the dressing is a soft, sterile, non-woven dressing made from two layers of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and it forms a soft, cohesive gel on contact with wound fluid. The Ag+ variants are impregnated with 1.2% ionic silver, described by Convatec as an antimicrobial agent. The silver is a feature of the Ag+ line only; it does not apply to the plain AQUACEL EXTRA dressing.
The FDA’s 510(k) database lists a Convatec clearance for “AQUACEL AG EXTRA Hydrofiber dressing with silver and strengthening fibre” (K121275), with a decision date of 25 July 2012, “Substantially Equivalent”, under product code FRO.
Types and variants: what differs
| Variant | Stated use (manufacturer) | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| AQUACEL EXTRA | Moderate to highly exuding wounds | No silver; US page lists three sizes with HCPCS codes (below) |
| AQUACEL Ag+ EXTRA | Leg ulcers (venous, arterial, mixed), diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers/injuries, surgical, traumatic and malignant wounds, partial thickness burns | 1.2% ionic silver; the only variant in this table with a partial thickness burn indication |
| AQUACEL Ag+ Ribbon | Same wound types as Ag+ EXTRA, except partial thickness burns | Ribbon format for cavity wounds |
Source: Convatec AQUACEL Ag+ IFU page and AQUACEL EXTRA product page, both checked 30 October 2026 (see Sources).
Sizes that matter (AQUACEL EXTRA, US)
For billing and procurement staff, Convatec’s US AQUACEL EXTRA page lists these references:
| Size | SKU | HCPCS | Units per box |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 in) | 420671 | A6196 | 10 |
| 10 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 in) | 420674 | A6197 | 10 |
| 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 in) | 420673 | A6197 | 5 |
Safe use and handling basics
- Follow the product IFU: each AQUACEL product ships with its own instructions for use, which set out indications, contraindications, warnings and wear time. Use of the dressing is directed by the treating clinician.
- Sterile, single use: the Ag+ dressings are described by Convatec as sterile single-use products; do not use one if the packaging is damaged or open.
- Not a surgical sponge: the IFU states the dressing is not a surgical sponge.
Common mistakes
- Assuming silver is present in every AQUACEL product. Only the Ag+ variants carry it.
- Treating “AQUACEL” and “Hydrofiber” as generic terms. Both are Convatec names, and other manufacturers’ fibre dressings are different products.
- Ordering from the wrong size reference: the three US AQUACEL EXTRA sizes have separate SKUs, and two of them share one HCPCS code.
How it relates to other dressings
For where fibre dressings sit among other categories, see what is a wound dressing, what is DuoDERM (a hydrocolloid dressing), what is a hydrogel, hydrogel vs hydrocolloid, and what is gauze. For supply planning, see the wound care supply selection guide. Dressing categories are also stocked as wound dressings.
FAQ
What is AQUACEL?
A Convatec brand of Hydrofiber wound dressings. The plain AQUACEL EXTRA dressing is described by Convatec as suited to moderate to highly exuding wounds.
What is the difference between AQUACEL and AQUACEL Ag+?
The Ag+ products are impregnated with 1.2% ionic silver; plain AQUACEL EXTRA is described by Convatec as a Hydrofiber dressing without silver.
How long can AQUACEL stay on, and does it need a secondary dressing?
Wear time and whether a cover dressing is used are set out in the IFU for the specific product and directed by the treating clinician, so this page does not list them. Always check the IFU packed with the product.
Sources
All sources checked 30 October 2026.
- Convatec, AQUACEL Ag+ dressings instructions for use (UK): https://www.convatec.com/en-gb/advanced-wound-care/resources/product-instructions/aquacel-ag-dressings/
- Convatec, AQUACEL EXTRA Hydrofiber dressing (US): https://www.convatec.com/products/advanced-wound-care/wound-type/pc-wound-closed-surgical-solutions/aquacel-extra-hydrofiber-dressing/
- U.S. FDA 510(k) database record K121275 (openFDA device 510k API): https://api.fda.gov/device/510k.json?search=k_number:K121275
