Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is a cationicquaternary ammonium compound used in some types of mouthwashes, toothpastes, lozenges, throat sprays, breath sprays, and nasal sprays. It is an antiseptic that kills bacteria and other microorganisms. It has been shown to be effective in preventing dental plaque and reducing gingivitis.[2][3] It has also been used as an ingredient in certain pesticides.
As of the time of this update, one study[4] suggests cetylpyridinium chloride does not cause brown tooth stains, although particular questions regarding usage habits in patient context are best addressed by a dental office as opposed to legal marketing.[5] There are brands containing CPC as an active ingredient that may bear the warning label "In some cases, antimicrobial rinses may cause surface staining to teeth,"[6] following a failed class-action lawsuit brought by customers whose teeth were stained.[7]
The name breaks down as:
cetyl- refers to the cetyl group, named for its relation to cetyl alcohol, which was first isolated from whale oil (Latin: cetus);[8]
OTC (over the counter) products containing cetylpyridinium chloride include oral wash, oral rinse, and ingestable products, such as lozenges[9] and over-the-counter cough syrup.[10]
The United States' federal Food and Drug Administration's monograph on oral antiseptic drug products reviewed the data regarding CPC and made this conclusion:
The agency believes that the information contained in its adverse reaction files, 30 years of safe marketing of an OTC mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride (NDA 14- 598), and the safety data evaluated by the Oral Cavity Panel are sufficient to conclude that 0.025 to 0.1 percent cetylpyridinium chloride is safe as an OTC oral antiseptic when labeled for short-term use (not to exceed 7 days).[11]
The National Library of Medicine Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET) reviewed the range of toxicity of CPC and stated "Significant toxicity is rare after exposure to low concentration products that are typically available in the home."[12]
The fatal dose in humans ingesting cationic detergents has been estimated to be 1 to 3 g.[12] Therefore, a person using a typical oral ingestible product that provides 0.25 mg CPC per dose would need to take 4,000 doses at one time to reach the estimated fatal dose range.
A review found that mouthwashes containing CPC "provide a small but significant additional benefit when compared with toothbrushing only or toothbrushing followed by a placebo rinse" in reducing plaque and gingivitis-inflammation.[3] In combination with chlorhexidine and zinc lactate, CPC has been found to be effective in treating halitosis.[13]
CPC mouthwashes inactivate viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, by breaking their lipid envelope.[14]
Side effects
Tooth staining
Cetylpyridinium chloride is known to cause tooth staining in approximately 3 percent of users.[15] The Crest brand has noted that this staining is actually an indication that the product is working as intended, as the stains are a result of bacteria dying on the teeth.[16] Crest stated that because of the low incidence of staining, there was no need to label Pro-Health mouthwash as a potential tooth stainer.[17] However, after numerous complaints[18] and a federal class-action lawsuit,[7] which was later dismissed,[19] the mouthwash now contains a label warning consumers of its potential to stain teeth.[6]
Temporary loss of taste
In a small percentage of population, CPC can alter or eliminate the sense of taste. The effect generally goes away a few days after discontinuing use of the product.
There is in-vitro evidence that cetylpyridinium chloride interferes with mitochondrial function at levels "that may be relevant to human exposures." The research was published in Environmental Health Perspectives" volume 125 no. 8. [21]
^ abWintonyk, Darcy; Steele, Lynda (October 12, 2012). "Consumers spitting mad after mouthwash turns teeth brown". CTV British Columbia. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. The product does have a small print warning on the back label that reads: "In some cases, antimicrobial rinses may cause surface staining to teeth," but consumers have complained the warning label is buried in the product information.
^ abWhite, Ed (August 6, 2009). "Mich. lawyer sues, claims mouthwash stained teeth". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Rossman's lawsuit seeks class-action status. It accuses P&G of violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by not putting a warning on the label.
^Nordegren, Thomas (2002). The A-Z Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Universal Publishers. p. 165. ISBN1-58112-404-X.
^Winkel, E. G.; Roldán, S.; Van Winkelhoff, A. J.; Herrera, D.; Sanz, M. (2003). "Clinical effects of a new mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc-lactate on oral halitosis. A dual-center, double-blind placebo-controlled study". Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 30 (4): 300–306. doi:10.1034/j.1600-051X.2003.00342.x. PMID12694427.
^Fasig, Lisa Biank (9 April 2007). "P&G hopes rinse effect won't wash away sales". Cincinnati Business Courier. The company's Crest Pro-Health Rinse, launched with much promise in April 2005, is discoloring the teeth of about 3 percent of its users, the company said, because it is doing its job.
^"Does Crest Pro-Health Rinse stain teeth brown?". Crest. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016. Tooth discoloration could actually be one indication, in some people, that the product is working: after the rinse kills germs in your mouth, the dead germs can collect on the tooth surface and create the appearance of a brown stain.
^Sewell, Dan (May 7, 2008). "P&G's Pro-Health rinse draws complaints". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Brinker said P&G doesn't see a need for a warning label because the number of those affected is very small.
^"Crest rinse fights off customer complaints". USA Today. 7 May 2008. But NBC's Today show reported Wednesday that the complaints have led to a consumer lawsuit alleging fraud and to further study by the Food and Drug Administration, which approved the product.
^"Mouthwash staining lawsuit dismissed". DrBicuspid.com. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit filed against Procter and Gamble charging that the company's Crest Pro-Health mouthwash causes staining and browning of teeth
^Lewis, R.J. (1996). Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. Vol. 1–3 (9th ed.). New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold. p. 691.