Weuffen W, Kramer A
J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol. 1980;24(1):104-9.
Antiseptics are mainly microbiostatic, relatively insoluble compounds, with little ability to penetrate into the skin or the mucous membranes. They can be used prophylactically or therapeutically on various areas of the body surface (skin and the mucous membranes, e.g., of mouth, intestinal-, respiratory-, and urogenital tract). If used in this way, they do not generally cause toxic effects, though sensitization to safe antiseptics may occur. The use of chemotherapeutic agents as antiseptics should be avoided wherever possible, because of the risk of emergence of resistant bacteria; but it would be clearly indicated if this were the only way to save a patient's life. Resistance to antiseptics is less likely to emerge than to antibiotics.
防腐剂主要是具有微生物抑制作用、相对不溶性的化合物，穿透皮肤或黏膜的能力较弱。它们可用于身体表面的各个部位（皮肤和黏膜，如口腔、肠道、呼吸道和泌尿生殖道的黏膜）进行预防性或治疗性使用。以这种方式使用时，它们一般不会产生毒性作用，不过对安全防腐剂可能会出现过敏反应。应尽可能避免将化疗药物用作防腐剂，因为存在出现耐药菌的风险；但如果这是挽救患者生命的唯一方法，则显然是适用的。与抗生素相比，防腐剂产生耐药性的可能性较小。
