Is Cetalkonium Chloride similar to Benzalkonium Chloride?

[Almondiyz]

I recently ordered from OcuSoft: RETAINE MGD OPHTHALMIC EMULSION - 30 SINGLE-DOSE VIALS. It said it was preservative free, which doesn't mean too much to me since I have many sensitivity problems with some inactive ingredients.

I looked online for package insert to find it contains *Cetalkonium Chloride.*
http://www.ocusoft.com/SearchResults.aspx?q=retaine

The company has a phone number for questions but I didn't get a straight answer. They don't have chemists on the phone line! Only sales rep's.

Are there any chemists or OD/MD's that can answer my question? It's been over 30+ years since I took organic chemistry in college. When I look at the structure & names of both Cetalkonium Chloride & Benzalkonium Chloride they seem similar.

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed...31d#nlm34071-1

[LiliS]

yes,CK is a preservative,but the producer claims that is used for its tensio - active cathyonic property and the concentration is very low! i use Cationorm ,which is the same product made in Europe by Santen and i ,ve changed several mails with them,bcs iwanted to know exactly the same things as you do...

[Betsy]

i have the same question, will this response bump the thread in case anyone can answer? thank you.