(1) Within the class of debriding agents, only the following subclasses are approved for use by a clinician on a patient:
- (a) papain-based ointments;
- (b) papain with urea additives;
- (c) anti-inflammatories;
- (d) collagenases;
- (e) endogenous platelet-derived growth factors; and
- (f) fibrinolytics.
(2) Clinicians may use papain-based ointments as directed by a licensed medical practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- (a) Papain-based ointments act via a proteolytic enzyme that digests nonviable proteins, but which is harmless to viable tissues.
- (b) Papain-based ointments are indicated for debriding necrotic tissue and liquefying slough in acute and chronic lesions, trauma wounds, or infected lesions.
- (c) Papain-based ointments are contraindicated for patients with known sensitivities to papain or any other ingredient of the medication.
(3) Clinicians may use papain with urea additive agents as directed by a licensed medical practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- (a) Papain with urea additive acts as a denaturant to proteins, helps expose papain's activators by a solvent action, rendering them more susceptible to enzymatic digestion.
(b) Papain with urea additive indications are for treating acute and chronic lesions including but not limited to:
- (i) venous ulcers;
- (ii) diabetic and decubitus ulcers;
- (iii) burns;
- (iv) postoperative wounds;
- (v) pilonidal cyst wounds;
- (vi) carbuncles; and
- (vii) traumatic or infected wounds.
- (c) Papain with urea additive has no known contraindications.
(4) Clinicians may use anti-inflammatory agents as directed by a licensed medical practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- (a) Anti-inflammatory agents act to decrease histamine reactions to peri-wound areas, decreasing inflammation, and encouraging remodeling.
- (b) Anti-inflammatory agents are indicated for relieving inflammation and pruritis caused by dermatosis.
- (c) Anti-inflammatory agents are contraindicated for patients with known sensitivity to any components of the preparation.
(5) Clinicians may use collagenase agents as directed by a licensed medical practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- (a) Collagenase agents act by digesting collagens in necrotic tissues, without destroying healthy granulation, and by encouraging epithelialization.
- (b) Collagenase agents are indicated for debriding chronic dermal ulcers and severely burned areas.
- (c) Collagenase agents are contraindicated for patients with local or systemic hypersensitivity to collagenases.
(6) Clinicians may use endogenous platelet-derived growth factor agents as directed by a licensed medical practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- (a) Endogenous platelet-derived growth factor agents act by promoting chemotactic recruitment and the proliferative stage of healing. They enhance formation of granulation tissue.
- (b) Endogenous platelet-derived growth factors are indicated for diabetic neuropathic ulcers that extend into subcutaneous tissue with an adequate blood supply.
- (c) Endogenous platelet-derived growth factor agents are contraindicated for patients with known hypersensitivity, including but not limited to parabens. Endogenous platelet-derived growth factor agents are not for use with wounds that close by primary intention because they are a nonsterile, low bioburden, preserved product.
(7) Clinicians may use fibrinolytics as directed by a licensed medical practitioner with prescriptive authority.
- (a) Fibrinolytics act by contributing to collagen synthesis, where over-production of collagen can cause poor remodeling of the wound.
- (b) Fibrinolytics are indicated in patients who exhibit painful, indurated wounds. Fibrinolytics are also indicated in slow healing venous wounds. Fibrinolytics are only used adjunctively in therapy.
- (c) Fibrinolytics are contraindicated in patients who are allergic or exhibit a sensitivity to steroids. Fibrinolytics are also contraindicated when used alone in the treatment of wounds.
Authorizing statute(s): 37-24-201, 37-24-202, MCA
Implementing statute(s): 37-24-108, 37-24-109, MCA
History: NEW, 2005 MAR p. 447, Eff. 4/1/05; AMD, 2019 MAR p. 1743, Eff. 10/5/19.