Sodium or potassium salts of long chain fatty acids. These detergent substances are obtained by boiling natural oils or fats with caustic alkali. Sodium soaps are harder and are used as topical anti-infectives and vehicles in pills and liniments; potassium soaps are soft, used as vehicles for ointments and also as topical antimicrobials.

DUI

D012915 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0019994

History note

91(81)63; was see under SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS 1981-90; was heading 1963-80

Public note

91,63-80; was see under SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS 1981-90; was heading 1963-80