Picloxydine is a heterocyclic biguanide with antibacterial and antiplaque activity.
0.4% Picloxydine produces a highly significant drop in the number of aerobic organisms. 0.4% Picloxydine is far more effective than 0.2% Picloxydine or chlorhexidine in reducing the total viable count of oral aerobic and anaerobic organisms[1]. Picloxydine is also used in eye drops in the topical therapy of trachoma[2].
[1]. Newcomb GM, et al. An in vivo comparison of chlorhexidine and picloxydine mouthrinses: a possible association between chemical structure and antiplaque activity. J Periodontol. 1977 May;48(5):282-4. [2]. Obikili AG, et al. A double-blind comparison of picloxydine dihydrochloride (Vitabact eye drops) and sulfacetamide eye drops in the topical therapy of trachoma. Rev Int Trach Pathol Ocul Trop Subtrop Sante Publique. 1988;65(3-4):119-32.