How many days is the shelf life of povidone-iodine after opening?

Generally speaking, the shelf life of opened povidone-iodine is about 7 days for small bottles and about 30 days for large bottles. However, it may become immediately ineffective if contaminated. Detailed explanation is as follows:

Small bottles of povidone-iodine are more susceptible to external environmental factors, such as microorganisms and dust in the air, which may gradually reduce its disinfecting effectiveness. Generally, the shelf life of small bottles of povidone-iodine after opening is about 7 days. It is recommended to tighten the bottle cap promptly after use to reduce the chance of contamination and to use it up within the shelf life.

Large bottles of povidone-iodine are relatively more stable due to their larger capacity, so their shelf life after opening can be extended to about 30 days. However, this is not absolute. To ensure the disinfecting effectiveness of large bottles of povidone-iodine, it is also important to maintain cleanliness and sterility and to follow proper storage and usage methods.

Regardless of bottle size, if povidone-iodine becomes contaminated during use—for example, by bacteria or other microorganisms—it may become immediately ineffective. Therefore, when using povidone-iodine, special attention should be paid to avoiding contamination—for instance, do not reinsert contaminated cotton balls or swabs into the bottle to dip, and leftover povidone-iodine should not be poured back into the bottle. If contamination or abnormal conditions such as discoloration are observed, discontinue use immediately and replace with new povidone-iodine.

When applying povidone-iodine, avoid rubbing the wound vigorously to prevent skin irritation. After disinfection, keep the wound clean and dry and avoid contact with water. If symptoms such as redness, swelling, ulceration, exudation, or pus occur at the wound site, seek medical attention promptly.