Povidone is commonly used in pharmaceuticals as a binder in tablets in cosmetics as a stabilizer and in medical products such as antiseptic solutions (e.g. povidone-iodine).

The main purpose of povidone is to improve the consistency stability and effectiveness of formulations as well as to enhance drug delivery and provide antiseptic action when combined with iodine.

Povidone is a water-soluble synthetic polymer derived from vinylpyrrolidone known for its excellent binding film-forming and solubilizing properties.