Cationic antiseptic compositions and methods of use

An antimicrobial composition comprising:

• an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quaternary ammonium compounds and combinations thereof, and
• an effective amount of an enhancer selected from the group an alpha- hydroxy acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, a (C1-C4)alkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aryl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aralkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)alkaryl carboxylic acid, a phenolic compound, a (C1-C10)alkyl alcohol, an ether glycol, or combinations thereof, and
• a hydrophilic component,
• a surfactant other than lecithin, and
• a hydrophobic vehicle;
• wherein the composition contains at least 5% water;
• wherein the composition reduces microorganisms on human skin by one log in 6 hours when tested by the Scrub cup method on a dry skin site.

A method of decolonizing at least a portion of the esophageal cavity of a subject, the method comprising contacting the esophageal cavity with an antimicrobial composition comprising

• an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quaternary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof,
• a hydrophobic vehicle, and
• a hydrophilic component.

A method of treating chronic sinusitis in a subject, the method comprising contacting at least a portion of the respiratory system with an antimicrobial composition comprising:

• an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quatemary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quatemary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof, and
• an effective amount of an enhancer component comprising an alpha-hydroxy acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, a chelating agent, a (C1-C4)alkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aryl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aralkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)alkaryl carboxylic acid, a phenolic compound, a (C1-C10)alkyl alcohol, an ether glycol, or combinations thereof;
• wherein the composition comprises less than 0.50 percent by weight (C6-C18)fatty acid.

A method of treating and/or preventing an infection on the mammalian tissue, the method comprising contacting the mammalian tissue, with an antimicrobial composition in an amount effective to kill or inactivate one or more microorganisms, wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises:

• an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quaternary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof, and
• an effective amount of an enhancer component comprising an alpha-hydroxy acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, a chelating agent, a (C1-C4)alkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aryl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aralkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)alkaryl carboxylic acid, a phenolic compound, a (C1-C10)alkyl alcohol, an ether glycol, or combinations thereof;
• a hydrophilic component;
• and
• a hydrophobic component which forms the greatest portion of the composition by weight.

A method of treating and/or preventing an infection on the skin, mucosal tissue, and/or wound of a subject, the method comprising contacting the skin, mucosal tissue, and/or wound with an antimicrobial composition in an amount effective to kill or inactivate one or more microorganisms, wherein the antimicrobial composition compnses:

• an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quatemary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quatemary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof;
• a surfactant;
• and
• a hydrophobic component which forms the greatest portion of the composition by weight;
• wherein the antimicrobial composition contains at least 5% water.

A method of providing residual antimicrobial efficacy on the skin, mucosal tissue, and/or in a wound of a subject, the method comprising contacting the skin, mucosal tissue, and/or wound with an antimicrobial composition comprising:

• an antiseptic selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quaternary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof,
• an effective amount of an enhancer component comprising an alpha-hydroxy acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, a chelating agent, a (C1-C4)alkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aryl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)aralkyl carboxylic acid, a (C6-C12)alkaryl carboxylic acid, a phenolic compound, a (C1-C10)alkyl alcohol, an ether glycol, or combinations thereof;
• a hydrophilic component;
• and
• a hydrophobic component which forms the greatest portion of the composition by weight.

A method of making an antimicrobial composition comprising an antiseptic component, an enhancer component, a hydrophobic vehicle, and a hydrophilic component, the method comprising:

• dissolving the enhancer component in the hydrophilic component;
• combining the hydrophobic vehicle and the hydrophilic component with the enhancer component dissolved therein with mixing to form a mixture;
• optionally heating the hydrophobic vehicle to a temperature sufficient to form a pourable liquid before or after combining it with the hydrophilic component and enhancer component;
• adding an antiseptic component selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quaternary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof to the mixture;
• and
• cooling the mixture before or after adding the antiseptic component.

A method of making an antimicrobial composition comprising an antiseptic component, an enhancer component, and a hydrophobic vehicle, the method comprising:

• combining the enhancer component and the hydrophobic vehicle with mixing to form a mixture;
• optionally heating the hydrophobic vehicle to a temperature sufficient to make a pourable liquid before or after combining it with the enhancer component;
• adding an antiseptic component selected from the group consisting of biguanides, bisbiguanides, polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, silver and its complexes, small molecule quaternary ammonium compounds;
• and combinations thereof to the mixture with mixing;
• and
• cooling the mixture before or after adding the antiseptic component.