INTRASITE GEL

The condition of the wound bed determines how effectively healing can proceed. Dry tissue, accumulated slough, and non-viable material in the wound create a barrier to the formation of granulation tissue and re-epithelialisation. Restoring and maintaining a moist wound environment addresses this directly. INTRASITE Gel is a sterile amorphous hydrogel from Smith & Nephew that is applied directly to the wound surface. It donates moisture to the wound bed and supports the natural debridement process. Three sizes: 8g, 15g, and 25g. Secondary dressing required. No prescription needed.

INTRASITE Gel is an amorphous hydrogel, a clear, water-based gel formulated from propylene glycol, modified carmellose sodium, and purified water. The gel is packaged in sealed applicator tubes in three sizes. The applicator allows the gel to be placed directly and precisely onto the wound surface without the need for additional transfer instruments.

The term "amorphous" describes the physical form: INTRASITE Gel has no fixed shape. It flows to fill the wound surface when applied, conforming to irregular wound contours, shallow cavities, and wound beds that are not flat. This is distinct from INTRASITE Conformable, which is a mesh sheet carrier format that provides physical structure. INTRASITE Gel is applied as a free-flowing material directly from the tube onto or into the wound.

INTRASITE Gel is used in wound management where the wound bed contains dry tissue, slough, fibrin deposits, or necrotic material that is impeding healing. The gel addresses this by delivering water to the wound surface, raising the moisture level at the wound bed, and creating the environment in which the body's natural autolytic processes can work. The carmellose sodium component forms a gel-like structure that maintains contact with the wound surface between changes and helps retain the donated moisture at the wound bed rather than allowing it to disperse rapidly.

Three sizes are available: 8g, 15g, and 25g. Single use. Secondary dressing always required to retain the gel and protect the wound.

INTRASITE Gel donates moisture to the wound surface. It is not appropriate for wounds producing heavy exudate, adding moisture to an already wet wound risks maceration. INTRASITE Gel has no antimicrobial action. Do not use on clinically infected wounds. A secondary dressing must always be applied immediately after the gel, gel left uncovered loses moisture rapidly and loses its clinical effect. Discard any unused gel remaining in the applicator after application.

Water Content and Wound Rehydration

INTRASITE Gel is predominantly water-based. When placed onto a wound surface that is dry or poorly hydrated, the gel releases water into the surrounding tissue through osmotic gradients between the gel and the desiccated wound. This process rehydrates dried slough, softens fibrin deposits, and restores moisture to the wound bed. Wound tissue that was too dry for cellular activity to proceed begins to recover the moist state in which healing cells can function.

Carmellose Sodium and Gel Consistency

Modified carmellose sodium is a cellulose-based polymer that gives INTRASITE Gel its viscous, gel-like consistency. This viscosity helps the gel remain at the wound surface after application rather than flowing away from the wound margins. The carmellose component also contributes to the gel's water-retaining properties, helping to keep the donated moisture at the wound bed throughout the wear period rather than dissipating quickly.

Autolytic Debridement Support

Autolytic debridement, the natural process by which the body removes non-viable tissue using its own proteolytic enzymes, is dependent on the wound being consistently moist. The enzymes responsible for breaking down slough and necrotic material are carried in wound fluid. When wound fluid is absent or inadequate because the wound is dry, enzyme activity is reduced and non-viable tissue accumulates. By raising the moisture level at the wound surface, INTRASITE Gel re-establishes the environment for autolytic activity, supporting the gradual softening and breakdown of wound debris over successive changes.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is a humectant, a substance that attracts and retains water. Its inclusion in the INTRASITE Gel formulation helps the gel retain its water content against evaporation and contributes to maintaining the moist wound environment between dressing changes. Propylene glycol is a well-established component in wound gel formulations and does not itself provide antimicrobial activity at the concentrations used in wound care products.

Preparation

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline and remove any loose debris.
• Prepare the secondary dressing before opening the INTRASITE Gel applicator.

Application

• Open the applicator immediately before use.
• Apply INTRASITE Gel directly onto the wound surface.
• Cover the wound bed to a depth of approximately 3 to 5mm.
• For cavity wounds, introduce the gel into the wound space loosely - do not overfill.
• Apply the secondary dressing immediately.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Change Frequency

• Change every one to three days depending on wound condition and exudate.
• At each change, assess whether slough is softening and reducing.
• Continue use while the wound bed contains non-viable tissue that is responding to autolytic management.
• Seek clinical assessment if the wound is not improving after several changes.

Do not overfill cavity wounds. Apply loosely to coat the wound surface rather than packing the cavity densely with gel. Apply the secondary dressing immediately after the gel and ensure it seals around the wound area adequately. Discard the applicator after each use, do not reuse an opened tube.

INTRASITE Gel 8g

The smallest size, suited to compact wound areas and small wound surfaces where a limited amount of gel is required per application. Practical for wounds where the 8g provides adequate coverage at a single change without wastage. Single use.

INTRASITE Gel 15g

A mid-range size suited to moderate-sized wound beds, typical pressure ulcer surfaces, and wounds where 8g would not provide full wound coverage. The 15g is a commonly used size in routine wound management with INTRASITE Gel.

INTRASITE Gel 25g

The largest size, for more extensive wound areas or where the wound depth and dimensions require a greater gel volume per change. Suited to larger wound beds, extensive sloughy areas, and wounds where the smaller sizes would need multiple tubes per application. Single use; discard any unused gel remaining in the applicator.

Size selection is based on the wound dimensions and the volume of gel needed to cover the wound bed adequately at each change.

Do Not Use INTRASITE Gel If

• The wound shows clinical signs of infection.
• The wound is producing moderate to heavy exudate - moisture donation risks maceration.
• Known sensitivity to propylene glycol, carmellose, or any component of the gel.

Precautions

• Always apply a secondary dressing immediately after the gel.
• Single use; discard applicator after each application.
• Do not overfill cavities.
• Reassess at each change. Seek clinical guidance if the wound is not improving.

Adverse Effects

• Wound or periwound maceration if used on wounds with exudate without appropriate secondary dressing selection.
• Skin sensitivity to propylene glycol in patients with known propylene glycol sensitivity. Discontinue and seek advice if sensitivity occurs.

Wounds Where INTRASITE Gel Is Appropriate

• Dry, lightly exuding, sloughy, or necrotic wound beds where moisture donation and autolytic debridement are the clinical priorities
• Wounds where a free-flowing amorphous gel application is more practical than a sheet format - irregular wound surfaces, small or awkwardly located wounds, wounds requiring precise gel placement
• Cavity wounds and wound pockets where a sheet dressing cannot maintain full wound contact and a gel can be introduced into the space
• Adults and children where clinically directed

INTRASITE Gel vs INTRASITE Conformable vs GranuGEL

All three are used for dry, sloughy, and necrotic wounds through moisture donation and autolytic debridement support. INTRASITE Gel (Smith & Nephew) is a free-flowing amorphous hydrogel applied directly from an applicator tube. INTRASITE Conformable (Smith & Nephew) is a hydrogel-impregnated mesh sheet that is placed on the wound and can be cut to size. GranuGEL (ConvaTec) is an amorphous hydrocolloid gel in tube format using a different gel formulation. The choice between them is based on wound geometry, whether a sheet or amorphous format is more practical, and product availability on the prescriber's formulary or patient preference.

INTRASITE Gel is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. All three sizes are available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on size selection and on appropriate secondary dressings to use alongside INTRASITE Gel for specific wound types.

Wounds with significant slough or necrosis, wounds under active clinical management, or wounds not progressing as expected should be reviewed by a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP alongside dressing purchase.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if the packaging seal is broken.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Discard any unused gel remaining in the applicator after use.
• Do not reuse an opened applicator.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. All three INTRASITE Gel sizes are genuine Smith & Nephew products stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on INTRASITE Gel use alongside appropriate secondary dressings and on when clinical wound assessment is the next step.

References

1. Smith & Nephew. INTRASITE Gel — Instructions for Use. Smith & Nephew. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
3. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Debridement in clinical practice. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed June 2026.
4. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed June 2026.