Diphoterine® has limited efficacy on hydrofluoric acid (HF) exposures or fluorides in an acidic milieu. A derivative product, Hexafluorine®, is available and efficacious for HF exposures.

Diphoterine® is not recommended for white phosphorous decontamination.

b) Is its efficacy in the first few minutes the same after a long delay?

Diphoterine® rinsing is most efficacious when used as soon as possible after the skin/eye chemical exposure (within the first minute). The longer the delay to Diphoterine® utilization, the less likely it is to prevent or decrease the severity of the burn. Delayed use of Diphoterine® can stop the action of the chemical product and specific treatment will be necessary to improve wound healing.

Once the exposed skin/eye tissue cells have been destroyed by the splashed chemical, Diphoterine® can no longer be efficacious.