Algivon is a range of sterile alginate wound dressings impregnated with 100% medical-grade Manuka honey, designed to support the management of a wide variety of acute and chronic wounds, particularly wounds that are sloughy, necrotic, malodorous or affected by increased bacterial burden.

The medical-grade Manuka honey provides antibacterial and osmotic activity, while helping maintain a moist wound environment. The alginate fibres provide a degree of exudate absorption and help keep the honey in contact with the wound for longer.

The range includes:

• Algivon – soft alginate dressing impregnated with medical-grade Manuka honey
• Algivon Plus – reinforced alginate dressing for greater wet integrity and sustained honey release
• Algivon Plus Ribbon – reinforced honey-impregnated alginate ribbon for cavities, sinuses and deeper wounds

Key features

• Impregnated with 100% medical-grade Manuka honey
• Medical-grade honey with guaranteed NPA 9.5–15
• Provides antibacterial activity
• Creates a moist wound-healing environment
• Osmotic action helps draw wound fluid and debris away from the wound bed
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Helps soften:
  • Slough
  • Necrotic tissue
• Helps reduce wound odour
• Soft and highly conformable
• Alginate fibres provide additional exudate management
• Can be cut to size
• May remain in place for up to 7 days, depending on exudate and clinical condition
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

Algivon

Algivon is a soft alginate dressing impregnated with 100% medical-grade Manuka honey.

Its soft and conformable construction makes it suitable for a wide variety of wound shapes and particularly useful where debridement and desloughing are required.

The alginate has some absorbent capacity, helping prevent the honey from being rapidly washed away by wound exudate and allowing it to remain in contact with the wound for longer.

Suitable wound types include:

• Superficial wounds
• Partial-thickness wounds
• Full-thickness wounds
• Sloughy wounds
• Necrotic wounds
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Leg ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Burns
• Graft sites
• Infected wounds
• Appropriate cavity or sinus wounds

Algivon Plus

Algivon Plus contains the same 100% medical-grade Manuka honey, but incorporates reinforced alginate fibres.

The reinforcement provides:

• Greater dressing integrity
• Improved handling
• A slower, sustained release of honey
• Reduced risk of the dressing breaking apart during removal
• Better suitability for wetter wounds

Algivon Plus is particularly suitable for:

• Pressure ulcers
• Leg ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Burns
• Graft sites
• Infected wounds
• Sloughy wounds
• Wounds requiring debridement and odour control

Algivon Plus Ribbon

Algivon Plus Ribbon uses the same reinforced honey-impregnated alginate material in a narrow ribbon format.

It is specifically designed for:

• Cavity wounds
• Sinuses
• Deep wounds
• Pressure ulcers
• Leg ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Burns
• Infected wounds
• Graft sites

The ribbon is soft and conformable, allowing close contact with irregular wound surfaces.

How Manuka honey works

Medical-grade Manuka honey supports wound management through several mechanisms.

Antibacterial action

The medical-grade Manuka honey provides broad antibacterial activity within the wound environment.

Advancis uses medical-grade Manuka honey with a guaranteed Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA) rating of 9.5–15.

Osmotic action

Honey has a high osmotic potential.

This draws fluid towards the dressing and can help:

• Hydrate dry or devitalised tissue
• Loosen slough
• Support autolytic debridement
• Remove wound debris
• Manage bacterial burden

Moist wound environment

The honey helps maintain an appropriately moist environment that supports the body's natural wound-healing processes.

Odour management

By helping manage bacteria and devitalised tissue, Algivon may help reduce unpleasant wound odour.

How to use Algivon and Algivon Plus

1. Cleanse the wound according to the prescribed wound-care protocol.
2. Gently dry the surrounding skin.
3. Remove the dressing from its sterile packaging.
4. Apply either side of the dressing directly to the wound surface.
5. The dressing may be cut to size using sharp scissors.
6. Several dressings may be positioned side-by-side for larger wounds.
7. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
8. Secure according to wound location and clinical requirements.

A suitably absorbent secondary dressing may be required where exudate levels are high.

How to use Algivon Plus Ribbon

1. Cleanse the wound according to clinical practice.
2. Assess the depth and extent of the cavity or sinus.
3. Cut the ribbon to size using sharp scissors if required.
4. Gently place the ribbon into the wound.
5. Do not pack a cavity too tightly.
6. Ensure sufficient dressing remains accessible for complete removal.
7. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing to manage exudate.

All ribbon material should be removed at each dressing change.

Secondary dressing

Algivon products require an appropriate secondary dressing.

The choice depends on:

• Exudate level
• Wound depth
• Wound location
• Condition of the surrounding skin

Honey's osmotic action can initially cause an increase in wound fluid, so a more absorbent secondary dressing may sometimes be required.

Dressing changes

The dressing-change interval depends on:

• Wound exudate
• Wound condition
• Degree of honey dilution
• Secondary dressing capacity
• Clinical assessment

The dressing may need to be changed daily in some wounds but may remain in place for up to:

7 days

where clinically appropriate.

Honey becomes less effective as it is diluted by wound exudate.

Change the dressing when:

• Its colour changes significantly
• Honey has been substantially diluted
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• Leakage occurs
• The wound requires reassessment
• The dressing becomes displaced

Temperature and consistency

Honey naturally changes consistency according to temperature.

If Algivon becomes:

Too firm:
Warm the unopened dressing gently between the hands before application.

Too soft:
The unopened product may be placed somewhere cooler, such as a refrigerator, for a short period to firm it before application.

Store according to the manufacturer's instructions at room temperature.

Possible discomfort

Honey dressings can cause an initial:

• Stinging sensation
• Burning sensation
• Increase in wound discomfort

This may occur because of the osmotic action of honey and often subsides.

Where necessary, appropriate analgesia may be considered.

If pain is severe or continues:

• Remove the dressing
• Irrigate the wound with saline
• Seek appropriate clinical advice

Diabetes

Algivon contains glucose.

Advancis recommends monitoring blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes when medical honey dressings are used.

Diabetic wounds should also receive appropriate:

• Foot assessment
• Off-loading
• Infection management
• Vascular assessment where required

Contraindications

Do not use Algivon products in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to:

• Honey
• Bee venom / bee-derived products
• Any component of the dressing

Infection

Algivon has antibacterial properties and may be used on appropriately assessed infected wounds.

However, medical-grade honey does not replace appropriate treatment of:

• Cellulitis
• Spreading infection
• Osteomyelitis
• Sepsis
• Other systemic infection

Seek clinical assessment if there is:

• Increasing redness
• Swelling
• Increasing pain
• Purulent discharge
• Fever
• Spreading inflammation
• Rapid deterioration of the wound

The continued need for an antimicrobial dressing should be regularly reviewed.

Important information

Do not:

• Tightly pack cavity wounds
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged
• Use beyond the stated expiry date

Algivon products should be used as part of an appropriate wound-management programme addressing the underlying cause of the wound.

Algivon – Current UK Sizes and Codes

Algivon – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Advancis stock code: CR3831
• PIP code: 319-3711
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS846
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200125

Algivon – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Advancis stock code: CR3659
• PIP code: 319-3703
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS195
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200126

Algivon Plus – Current UK Sizes and Codes

Algivon Plus – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Advancis stock code: CR4230
• PIP code: 374-9496
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS549
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200127

Algivon Plus – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Advancis stock code: CR4225
• PIP code: 374-9512
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS550
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200128

Algivon Plus Ribbon – Current UK Sizes and Codes

Algivon Plus Ribbon – 1cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Advancis stock code: CR4441
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS847
• No current PIP code is listed by the manufacturer

Algivon Plus Ribbon – 2.5cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Advancis stock code: CR4231
• PIP code: 374-4653
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS551
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800165

Product type: Medical-Grade Manuka Honey Alginate Dressing

Honey: 100% medical-grade Manuka honey

NPA: 9.5–15

Algivon construction: Soft honey-impregnated alginate

Algivon Plus construction: Reinforced honey-impregnated alginate

Algivon Plus Ribbon: Reinforced honey-impregnated alginate ribbon

Antibacterial: Yes

Supports autolytic debridement: Yes

Helps manage wound odour: Yes

Can be cut: Yes

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days, depending on wound and exudate

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Manufacturer: Advancis Medical

Algivon Manuka Honey Dressings should be selected according to wound type, depth, bacterial burden and exudate level. Chronic, diabetic, vascular, infected or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.