FAQ
Our range of pharmaceutical grade quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) includes benzalkonium chloride, cetrimide, strong cetrimide and cetrimonium bromide (CTAB). Our entire range of products is offered in a variety of product forms and packing solutions, meeting demands for different drug product forms and small- and large-size packaging. For products beyond our standard portfolio, please contact us to discuss feasibility.
We can help you choose the right product for your formulation, however we do not have our own formulation specialists. We can develop custom-designed products to meet your specific needs for excipients and/or APIs that are outside, though related to our standard product portfolio. Learn more about customised Quats solutions here: https://novonordiskpharmatech.com/products/customized-quats-products/
Yes, we keep stock for all FeF Quats products, except for Strong Cetrimide which we mostly manufacture according to order.
Bromides are generally less irritating to the skin and eyes than chlorides. They are equally effective, where the effect is mostly linked to the alkyl chain length.
FeF Cetrimide and FeF CTAB are chemically very similar. The only difference is that Cetrimide is manufactured using an amine with 14 carbons (C14) and CTAB is manufactured using a C16 amine. They basically have the same properties, although CTAB is slightly adsorbent and is slightly less soluble than Cetrimide.
Cetrimide is mostly used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, while CTAB is mostly used in North America. Cetrimide is described in monographs in British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and Ph. Eur. (but not in USP/NF). On the other hand, CTAB is only described in the USP/NF.
Crystalline Quats have a very high degree of purity. They are purified using a solvent (acetone). They are most appropriate for solid dosage or creams.
Solutions are manufactured without a solvent. They are most appropriate for liquid dosage and gels.
Strong Cetrimide contains IPA or ethanol to maintain homogeneity and prevent microbial contamination.
The uniform quality of our products – and of our customers’ products – is ensured by our efficient quality management systems, dedicated equipment, well-established and fully validated processes, and rigorous laboratory quality control.
We manufacture our pharmaceutical grade Quats in accordance with the cGMP Guide ICH Q7 for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), the highest available quality standard in the industry. We are inspected by the FDA (FeF Benzalkonium chloride) and the Danish Medicine Agency (DMA). Take a look inside our cGMP manufacturing facilities.
We only use synthetic, TSE/BSE-free raw materials with approved specifications from qualified suppliers.
Our Quats products are sold globally in more than 70 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, South America and Africa. We supply some of our customers directly, but we are also supported by a network of global distributors across North America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and India. This gives customers access to a local supplier and point of contact for their products. Our Quats products are distributed in line with GDP and Known Consignor and in-stock pharmaceutical products can be shipped according to your needs.
For more information about our Quats products, please contact us or visit our Quats product pages: Benzalkonium Chloride, Cetrimide and CTAB