Chlorhexidine

What is Chlorhexidine?

• Chlorhexidine (As chlorhexidine gluconate; Bactoshield; Peridex) is as an antiseptic agent with topical antibacterial activity.

Error creating thumbnail:

Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine ball-and-stick

Chlorhexidine 3D spacefill

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Chlorhexidine (As chlorhexidine gluconate; Bactoshield; Peridex) is indicated for use between dental visits as part of a professional program for the treatment of gingivitis as characterized by redness and swelling of the gingivae, including gingival bleeding upon probing.

Limitations of use:

• Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, has not been tested among patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG).
• For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis.

How does this medicine work?

• Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, provides antimicrobial activity during oral rinsing.
• A biguanide compound used as an antiseptic agent with topical antibacterial activity.
• Chlorhexidine is positively charged and reacts with the negatively charged microbial cell surface, thereby destroying the integrity of the cell membrane.
• Subsequently, chlorhexidine penetrates into the cell and causes leakage of intracellular components leading to cell death.
• Since gram positive bacteria are more negatively charged, they are more sensitive to this agent.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

• are known to be hypersensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Chlorhexidine came into medical use in the 1950s.
• Chlorhexidine is available over the counter (OTC) in the United States.
• It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
• In 2017, it was the 286th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Recommended use is twice daily oral rinsing for 30 seconds, morning and evening after toothbrushing.
• Usual dosage is 15 mL of undiluted chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse.

Administration:

• Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% therapy should be initiated directly following a dental prophylaxis.
• Patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% should be reevaluated and given a thorough prophylaxis at intervals no longer than six months.
• Patients should be instructed to not rinse with water or other mouthwashes, brush teeth or eat immediately after using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12%.
• Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% is not intended for ingestion and should be expectorated after rinsing.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As an oral rinse containing 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Bactoshield; Peridex

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• an increase in staining of teeth and other oral surfaces
• an increase in calculus formation
• an alteration in taste perception
• stomatitis
• gingivitis
• glossitis
• ulcer
• dry mouth
• hypesthesia
• glossal edema
• paresthesia
• aphthous ulcer
• grossly obvious gingivitis
• trauma
• ulceration
• erythema
• desquamation
• coated tongue
• keratinization
• geographic tongue
• mucocele
• short frenum

What special precautions should I follow?

• The effect of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% on periodontitis has not been determined.
• Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% can cause staining of oral surfaces, such as tooth surfaces, restorations, and the dorsum of the tongue.
• Some patients may experience an alteration in taste perception while undergoing treatment with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse. Rare instances of permanent taste alteration following chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse use have been reported.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdosage may include:

• gastric distress, including nausea, or signs of alcohol intoxication

Management of overdosage: In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• Pregnancy Category B.
• However, adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done.
• Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Clinical effectiveness and safety of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, have not been established in children under the age of 18.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredient:

• CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE

Inactive ingredients:

• GLYCERIN
• POLYSORBATE 80
• FD&C BLUE NO. 1
• WATER
• SACCHARIN SODIUM

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

MANUFACTURED BY:

• Pharmaceutical Associates, Inc.
• Greenville, SC

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
• Dispense in bottle as provided or in an amber plastic bottle with a child-resistant closure.

• Dailymed label info on Chlorhexidine
• FDA Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.