Acriflavine

Acriflavine is a topical antiseptic. It has the form of an orange or brown powder. It may be harmful in the eyes or if inhaled. It is a dye and it stains the skin and may irritate. Commercial preparations are often mixtures with proflavine. It is known under a variety of names.

Acriflavine was developed in 1912 by Paul Ehrlich, a German medical researcher and was used during the First World War against sleeping sickness. It is derived from acridine. The hydrochloride form is more irritating than the base form.

Acriflavine is also used as treatment for external fungal infections of aquarium fish.