Yes, Medihoney is available over the counter. You can buy it online and at many pharmacies without a prescription. It is classified by the FDA as a Class II medical device (cleared under 510(k)), which means it went through a formal review process but does not require a prescription to purchase. That said, there are important differences between the various Medihoney products, and understanding what you’re buying will help you use it safely.
What Medihoney Actually Is
Medihoney is a line of wound care products made from medical-grade manuka honey. Unlike the manuka honey you’d find in a grocery store, Medihoney is sterilized and standardized for use on open wounds. It was one of the first medically certified honeys licensed as a medical product for professional wound care in Europe and Australia, and it holds FDA clearance in the United States.
The product line includes several forms: a gel or paste for applying directly to wounds, and honey-impregnated dressings like calcium alginate sheets. The gel is typically used on smaller or more superficial wounds, while the dressings are designed for wounds that produce more fluid. All Medihoney products are designed to stay on a wound for up to seven days, though in practice, dressing changes happen more frequently in the early stages of healing.
Why You Can’t Just Use Regular Honey
Food-grade honey, even high-quality manuka honey from a health food store, is not sterilized for wound contact. It can contain bacterial spores and other contaminants that are harmless when eaten but potentially dangerous on an open wound. Medical-grade honey goes through a sterilization process that eliminates these risks while preserving the honey’s antibacterial properties.
Those properties are significant. Honey’s natural sugar content creates a low-moisture environment (below 0.91 water activity) that prevents bacterial growth on the wound surface. It also draws fluid outward, which flushes debris, dead tissue, and microorganisms from the wound. An enzyme in honey converts glucose into gluconic acid and small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. The gluconic acid lowers the wound’s pH to between 3.5 and 4, which triggers a cascade of helpful effects: it reduces the activity of tissue-damaging enzymes, increases oxygen release from red blood cells, and stimulates the immune and repair cells that rebuild tissue.
Where to Buy It
Medihoney products are sold through major online retailers like Amazon, as well as medical supply websites. Some brick-and-mortar pharmacies carry them, though availability varies by location. Prices range from roughly $10 to $30 depending on the product type and size. You do not need a prescription, a referral, or insurance approval to purchase any Medihoney product.
What It’s Used For
Medihoney is used across a broad range of wound types. Its antibacterial properties make it particularly suited for wounds showing signs of local infection, wounds colonized by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and chronic wounds that have stalled in the healing process, including venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure sores. It is also used on burns, surgical incisions, skin graft sites, and wounds that have developed a strong odor.
For minor wounds you’re managing at home, like small cuts, abrasions, or minor burns, Medihoney can be applied and covered with a standard bandage. For more complex or chronic wounds, supervision by a healthcare professional is recommended, even though the product itself doesn’t require a prescription. The distinction matters: the product is over the counter, but the wound may still need professional oversight.
How to Apply It
The gel or paste form is spread directly onto the wound or onto a dressing, which is then placed over the wound. The honey needs to stay in contact with the wound for at least 12 hours, and ideally 24 hours, to be effective. In the early stages of healing, when a wound is producing a lot of fluid, you may need to change the dressing every 24 to 48 hours, or even twice daily for acutely inflamed wounds. As the wound settles and fluid output decreases, changes can stretch to every three to seven days.
If fluid soaks through to the outer bandage, the dressing should be changed sooner to prevent the surrounding skin from becoming waterlogged and breaking down.
Safety Considerations
Medihoney is safe for people with diabetes. Despite being a sugar-based product, there is no evidence that it significantly affects blood glucose levels when applied to wounds. This is a common concern, but clinical experience has not supported it.
The main precaution involves bee-related allergies. If you have ever had a reaction to bee stings, bee venom, or honey-based products, you should discuss this with a healthcare provider before using Medihoney. Allergic reactions are uncommon but possible. You should also be aware of any sensitivity to other components of the specific product you’re using, particularly if it’s a dressing that contains additional materials like calcium alginate.
Some people experience a mild stinging or burning sensation when Medihoney is first applied, especially on raw or inflamed wounds. This typically fades within 15 to 30 minutes and tends to lessen with subsequent applications as the wound improves.