AQUACEL AG FOAM NON ADHESIVE

For patients with wounds where no adhesive border is appropriate, achieving effective silver antimicrobial management alongside foam-level exudate absorption requires a non-adhesive format. AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive is the non-adhesive equivalent of AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive from Convatec. It uses the same CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer with ionic silver and the same foam absorbent backing layer, but without any integrated adhesive border. It is secured with a secondary fixation product of clinical choice, making it suitable for wounds where adhesion to the periwound skin is not appropriate, for use under compression bandaging, and for patients whose periwound skin cannot tolerate adhesive removal. No prescription is required.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Convatec. It is the non-adhesive version of AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive. Like its adhesive counterpart, it combines two functional layers: a CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer with ionic silver, and a polyurethane foam absorbent layer above it. The CMC hydrofiber contact layer gels on contact with wound exudate and releases silver ions for antimicrobial activity. The foam layer provides additional absorbent capacity. The difference from AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive is the absence of any adhesive border, AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive is a free-standing pad that is placed on the wound and held in place with a secondary fixation product.

The absence of an adhesive border makes AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive suitable for a broader range of wound locations and patient skin conditions than its adhesive equivalent. It can be used where no adhesive can be applied to the periwound skin, for wounds under compression bandaging where the bandage provides fixation, for patients with fragile or macerated periwound skin, and for circumferential or difficult-to-dress wound locations where a non-adhesive pad secured with a bandage provides better coverage than a self-adhesive dressing.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive contains ionic silver for antimicrobial management and is indicated for use on infected or at risk moderately to heavily exuding wounds. It is suitable for chronic wounds including venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers, as well as acute wounds, burns, and other wounds where both silver antimicrobial activity and foam-level exudate management are needed without an adhesive border.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive has no adhesive border and must be secured with a secondary fixation product. It is applied with the CMC hydrofiber wound contact surface facing the wound. Do not pre-wet the dressing, wound exudate activates the CMC hydrofiber gelling and silver release. Irrigate the wound after removal to clear any CMC hydrofiber gel residue from the wound contact layer.

CMC Hydrofiber Wound Contact Layer with Ionic Silver

The innermost surface of AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive is a CMC hydrofiber layer containing ionic silver, the same wound contact technology used in AQUACEL Ag and AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive. When this layer contacts wound exudate, the CMC fibres absorb fluid vertically into the dressing, gel in place, and release silver ions to provide antimicrobial activity. The vertical wicking of CMC fibres draws exudate upward into the dressing rather than spreading it laterally onto the periwound skin, reducing the risk of maceration of the surrounding skin.

Foam Absorbent Layer

Above the CMC hydrofiber contact layer is a polyurethane foam layer that provides additional exudate absorption beyond the capacity of the hydrofiber layer alone. The foam draws fluid upward from the hydrofiber and retains it within its structure, allowing AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive to manage greater volumes of exudate than a standard AQUACEL Ag hydrofiber sheet. The two-layer construction makes it appropriate for moderately to heavily exuding wounds where foam-level absorbency is needed alongside the wound contact properties of CMC hydrofiber.

Ionic Silver Antimicrobial Action

Ionic silver released from the CMC hydrofiber contact layer acts on wound pathogens through multiple mechanisms: disrupting bacterial cell membranes, interfering with bacterial enzyme systems, and preventing DNA replication. This broad spectrum covers wound pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species. The silver acts locally at the wound surface.

Flexibility of Secondary Fixation

Without an integrated border, the fixation method is entirely determined by the clinical situation. For venous leg ulcers under compression bandaging, the bandage provides both compression therapy and dressing fixation. For wounds on the trunk or other locations, a tubular retention bandage, cohesive bandage, or wound retention dressing can be used. This flexibility makes AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive suitable for a wider range of body locations and patient types than AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Dry the surrounding skin and apply a skin barrier to any macerated periwound skin.
• Select an appropriate secondary fixation product before applying the dressing.

Application

• Choose the appropriate size from 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 15cm x 15cm, 15cm x 20cm, or 20cm x 20cm. The foam pad should cover the entire wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges.
• Place the dressing with the CMC hydrofiber wound contact surface facing the wound bed.
• Apply the secondary fixation product over the dressing to hold it in position. For leg ulcers, apply the compression bandage system over the dressing.
• Ensure the fixation covers the perimeter of the foam pad to prevent the dressing from shifting.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels.
• Change when exudate reaches the edge of the foam pad, when the fixation loosens, or at the scheduled change time.
• Remove the fixation product first, then lift the foam pad from the wound.
• The CMC hydrofiber contact layer will have gelled against the wound surface. Irrigate with sterile saline to assist removal and clear gel residue.
• Assess the wound at each change.
• Silver containing dressings may cause grey or blue grey discolouration of the wound bed and periwound skin (argyria). This is expected, localised, and generally reverses when silver dressing use is discontinued. Inform patients in advance.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive 5cm x 5cm

Suitable for small wounds, digit wounds, and localised acute or chronic wounds where compact silver foam coverage is needed without an adhesive border.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive 10cm x 10cm

A versatile medium size suitable for moderate-sized wounds across a range of body locations including pressure ulcers, smaller venous leg ulcer areas, and diabetic foot wounds.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive 15cm x 15cm

A larger square size for more extensive wound areas including larger chronic wounds and burns with moderate to heavy exudate requiring silver antimicrobial management and foam-level absorption.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive 15cm x 20cm

A rectangular size suited to elongated wounds including lower leg ulcers, longer post-operative sites, and wounds where a rectangular coverage format provides a better fit than a square. Particularly useful for leg ulcers under compression bandaging.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive 20cm x 20cm

The largest size, suitable for extensive wound areas including large pressure ulcers, large venous leg ulcers, and significant burn areas. Provides broad silver foam coverage for high-exudate wounds. Primarily for clinical settings or for patients managing large wounds under clinical supervision.

When selecting a size, ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound bed. A pad that does not fully cover the wound leaves areas of the wound without silver antimicrobial coverage.

Contraindications

• Do not use on patients with a known sensitivity or allergy to silver, CMC hydrofiber, or any component of the dressing.
• Do not use on dry or minimally exuding wounds.
• Do not use oil-based topical products directly under the dressing as these impair silver ion release.

Precautions

• AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive is a single use product. Do not reuse or resterilise.
• Ensure adequate secondary fixation. A dressing that shifts on the wound surface can cause friction and delay healing.
• Do not apply fixation so tightly that it restricts blood flow, particularly in patients with peripheral vascular disease or diabetes.
• Silver dressings may cause grey or blue grey wound discolouration. Expected and reversible.
• Silver dressings are not a substitute for systemic antibiotic therapy where there is spreading cellulitis or systemic infection.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Grey or blue grey discolouration from silver deposition. Expected and reversible.
• Localised sensitivity at the wound margin. Discontinue if persistent.
• Wound desiccation if exudate falls, reassess dressing choice.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive Is Suitable For

• Infected or at risk moderately to heavily exuding wounds where no adhesive border is appropriate, including fragile or macerated periwound skin, circumferential wounds, and locations where repeated adhesive removal would cause cumulative skin damage
• Venous leg ulcers under compression bandaging, where the compression bandage provides both compression therapy and fixation over the foam pad
• Wounds in patients who have experienced skin trauma with adhesive dressings and where non adhesive management is preferred
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Both products use the same CMC hydrofiber wound contact layer with ionic silver and the same foam absorbent layer. The key difference is fixation. AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive has an integrated adhesive border for self-adhesion on intact periwound skin. AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive has no border and requires secondary fixation. Choose AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive when no adhesive can be applied to the periwound skin, when the wound is under compression bandaging, or when secondary fixation is clinically preferred.

Standard AQUACEL Ag is a flat CMC hydrofiber sheet without a foam layer. AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive adds a foam absorbent layer above the hydrofiber contact surface, providing greater total absorbent capacity. Choose AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive when greater foam-level absorbency is needed in addition to the hydrofiber wound contact properties. Choose standard AQUACEL Ag when cavity packing is needed or when a thinner wound contact layer without foam bulk is appropriate.

AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. It can be purchased directly through Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation. It is available in five sizes: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, 15cm x 15cm, 15cm x 20cm, and 20cm x 20cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks the full AQUACEL Ag range including AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive, AQUACEL Ag Foam Adhesive, standard AQUACEL Ag, and AQUACEL Ag Extra alongside a comprehensive range of wound care products and secondary fixation options.

For complex wounds or wounds not healing as expected, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP alongside your dressing purchase.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Store below 25°C.
• Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Each dressing is individually sterile packed. Do not use if the packaging is damaged or compromised.
• Check the expiry date before use. Do not use after the expiry date.
• Once opened, apply immediately.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste in accordance with local guidelines.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy providing access to AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive in all five sizes alongside the full AQUACEL Ag range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on which AQUACEL Ag format, foam adhesive, foam non-adhesive, or standard hydrofiber, is most appropriate for a specific wound and patient, and on suitable secondary fixation products.

References

1. Convatec. AQUACEL Ag Foam Non Adhesive Dressing — Instructions for Use. Convatec Ltd. https://www.convatec.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
3. World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Antimicrobials and non-healing wounds: evidence, controversies and suggestions. https://wuwhs.net. Accessed May 2026.
4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Wound care products — Drug Tariff prescribing and selection. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.