Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizer Constituents Against SARS-CoV-2

The alcohol active ingredients found in commercially available hand sanitizers, even when diluted, are effective in killing SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

Mitigation of the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 requires, among other actions, meticulous and frequent hand sanitizing. The World Health Organization (WHO), based on criteria including fast-acting, broad-spectrum microbicidal activity coupled with safety and availability, has recommended two (recently modified) formulations of 80% (wt/wt) ethanol and 75% (wt/wt) isopropanol, each with glycerol as a carrier.

Having previously shown that the WHO-recommended formulations were effective in significantly reducing titers of two previously recognized virulent coronaviruses, SARS and MERS, researchers have now tested the virucidal activity of these disinfectants in vitro against SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of COVID-19. Formulation I…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizer Constituents Against SARS-CoV-2

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Reviewing Author