Is Xeroform an Antibiotic? Clarifying Antimicrobial Properties
Is Xeroform an antibiotic?
The Quick Answer
No—Xeroform is **not an antibiotic** but contains bismuth tribromophenate, a mild **antimicrobial agent** that reduces bacterial load without systemic absorption or resistance development. Unlike antibiotics (e.g., neomycin), it doesn't kill bacteria selectively but creates unfavorable conditions for growth—making it suitable for prophylaxis but insufficient for active infection treatment.
Why We Ask This
Patients confuse 'antimicrobial' with 'antibiotic,' either expecting Xeroform to cure established infections (leading to treatment delays) or fearing antibiotic resistance from appropriate prophylactic use.
The Practical Science
Bismuth compounds disrupt bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation through electrostatic interactions—not protein synthesis inhibition like true antibiotics. This non-selective mechanism prevents resistance development but lacks bactericidal potency against established infections.
In Clinical Practice
Xeroform prevents colonization in clean surgical wounds but wouldn't resolve a *Staphylococcus*-infected wound—requiring culture-directed antibiotics alongside absorptive dressings until infection clears before resuming Xeroform for epithelialization phase.
References & Context
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