Halotab

Approved Indication

• Disinfection of Drinking Water:
  Halazone is approved for the purification of contaminated water for safe human consumption, particularly in emergency, military, camping, disaster relief, or remote settings where access to potable water is unavailable.

Clinically Accepted Off-label Uses

• Occasionally used for temporary disinfection of water for:
• Medical irrigation solutions (if no sterile water is available)
• Field-level disinfection of medical equipment (not routine; use with caution)
• Used in humanitarian relief operations as a temporary solution when chlorinated water is unavailable.

রেজিস্টার্ড চিকিৎসকের নির্দেশনা অনুযায়ী ঔষধ সেবন করুন।

Adults

• Dose: 1 tablet (usually 4 mg or 500 mg depending on the strength) per 1 liter of water
• Method: Drop into water → allow complete dissolution → wait at least 30 minutes before drinking
• Contact time may be extended to 60 minutes in colder or highly contaminated water
• Frequency: Use for each batch of drinking water prepared

Pediatrics

• Same dose-per-liter ratio
• For <1 L of water, use half tablet or crush and dilute proportionally
• Ensure full dissolution and proper waiting time

Elderly

• Standard adult dosing applies
• Consider longer wait time if immune function is compromised

Renal/Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment required due to minimal systemic absorption

Pregnant or Lactating Women

• Safe for use in disinfecting drinking water
• No systemic exposure expected when used correctly

Route of Administration

• Oral (indirect): Water is consumed after tablet fully dissolves
• Not intended for direct ingestion of tablet or for intravenous use

রেজিস্টার্ড চিকিৎসকের নির্দেশনা অনুযায়ী ঔষধ সেবন করুন।

Halazone (sodium p-toluenesulfonchloramide) acts as a chlorinating agent. When dissolved in water, it releases hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a potent oxidizer. HOCl penetrates the microbial cell wall and disrupts essential enzymes and structural proteins, leading to oxidative damage, membrane disruption, and microbial death. It is effective against bacteria, viruses, and some protozoa, rendering water microbiologically safe for drinking.

• Absorption: Negligible systemic absorption; action is localized in water
• Distribution: Not applicable due to local disinfection mechanism
• Metabolism: Chemically breaks down to benign salts and chloride ions
• Half-life: Short; decomposes rapidly after reaction
• Elimination: Any trace residues are excreted via feces; systemic exposure is clinically insignificant
• Bioavailability: Not applicable for systemic effect

• Pregnancy: Not assigned a formal FDA category; traditionally considered low risk. As halazone acts outside the body (in water), no systemic exposure occurs when used correctly.
• Lactation: Considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. The minute residual chemical content in treated water does not enter breast milk or cause harm to the nursing infant.
• Precaution: Avoid excessive use; ensure proper tablet-to-water ratio and contact time.

• Primary Class: Water Disinfectant / Antimicrobial Agent
• Subclass: Chlorinated aromatic sulfonamide (Halogen-based compound)

• Known hypersensitivity to halazone or other chlorinated disinfectants
• Use in turbid, organic-rich water without filtration
• Use as a direct medicinal antiseptic, oral medication, or intravenous solution
• Visibly degraded or discolored tablets (indicates reduced potency)

• Do not use in cloudy or heavily contaminated water without pre-filtration, as organic matter reduces disinfection efficacy
• In immunocompromised individuals or high-risk settings (e.g., post-surgical), consider boiling water or using more reliable disinfectants
• Excessive dosing may result in a strong chlorine taste or mild GI discomfort
• If tablets become soft, discolored, or have a strong chlorine odor, discard immediately
• Do not use after expiry date; degraded halazone is ineffective

Common (Mild):

• Metallic or chlorine taste in water
• Mild gastrointestinal discomfort in sensitive individuals
• Nausea (rare)

Serious (Rare):

• Hypersensitivity reactions (rash, urticaria, or bronchospasm in sulfa-allergic individuals)
• Headache or fatigue (rare and reversible)

Onset and Severity:

• Most effects occur shortly after ingestion of treated water
• Typically mild and transient; dose- and concentration-dependent

• Drug–Drug: None, as halazone is not systemically absorbed
• Drug–Food: Organic debris (e.g., food particles in water) may inactivate the disinfecting effect
• Drug–Alcohol: No interaction
• Enzyme systems: Not metabolized by liver enzymes (e.g., CYP450); no hepatic interaction risk

• WHO and CDC continue to include halazone in emergency water disinfection guidelines
• No recent changes in FDA labeling, indications, or regulatory approvals
• Alternatives like sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) have largely replaced halazone due to better stability and longer shelf life, but halazone remains listed in field kits by several humanitarian organizations
• No new black box warnings or dosage changes reported

• Temperature: Store between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
• Humidity: Protect from moisture; store in airtight container
• Light: Keep away from direct sunlight; store in opaque packaging
• Shelf Life: 2–3 years under proper storage; discard if tablets become discolored or sticky
• Do not refrigerate or freeze
• Do not open packaging until time of use to avoid loss of potency
• Use reconstituted (treated) water within 24 hours