Formulary
Chlorhexidine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Chlorhexidine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Chlorhexidine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Chlorhexidine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**General use**
- **Child** (To The Skin): (consult product literature).
- **Adult** (To The Skin): (consult product literature).
**Pre-operative hand and skin disinfection,General hand and skin disinfection**
- **Child** (To The Skin): Use as alternative to soap (consult product literature).
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Use as alternative to soap (consult product literature).
**Hand and skin disinfection**
- **Child** (To The Skin): To be used undiluted (consult product literature).
- **Adult** (To The Skin): To be used undiluted (consult product literature).
**Oral hygiene and plaque inhibition, Oral candidiasis, Gingivitis, Management of aphthous ulcers for chlorhexidine**
- **Child** (By oromucosal administration using mouthwash): Rinse or gargle 10 mL twice daily, rinse or gargle for about 1 minute.
- **Child** (By oromucosal administration using oromucosal spray): Apply up to 12 sprays twice daily as required, to be applied on tooth, gingival, or ulcer surfaces.
**Oral hygiene and plaque inhibition, Gingivitis for chlorhexidine**
- **Child** (By oromucosal administration using dental gel): Apply 1-2 times a day, to be brushed on the teeth.
**Oral candidiasis, Management of aphthous ulcers for chlorhexidine**
- **Child** (By oromucosal administration using dental gel): Apply 1-2 times a day, to affected areas.
**Bladder irrigation and catheter patency solutions for chlorhexidine**
- **Child** (By intravesical instillation): (consult product literature).
**For skin disinfection in acne for Cepton lotion**
- **Child** (To the skin): (consult product literature).
**For use as skin wash in acne for Cepton skin wash**
- **Child** (To the skin): (consult product literature).
**Pre-operative hand and skin disinfection, General hand and skin disinfection for Hibiscrub**
- **Child** (To the skin): Use as alternative to soap (consult product literature).
**For use in obstetrics and gynaecology as an antiseptic and lubricant for Hibitane Obstetric**
- **Child** (To the skin): To be applied to skin around vulva and perineum and to hands of midwife or doctor.
**Hand and skin disinfection for Hibi liquid hand rub+**
- **Child** (To the skin): To be used undiluted (consult product literature).
**For pre-operative skin disinfection for Hydrex solution**
- **Child** (To the skin): (consult product literature).
**For pre-operative hand and skin disinfection, General hand disinfection for Hydrex surgical scrub**
- **Child** (To the skin): (consult product literature).
**For cleansing and disinfecting wounds and burns and swabbing in obstetrics for Unisept**
- **Child** (To the skin): (consult product literature).
Cautions
With topical use Avoid contact with brain; avoid contact with eyes; avoid contact with meninges; avoid contact with middle ear; use prior to diathermy (alcohol containing skin disinfectants)
Contraindications
With topical use Not for use in body cavities
Side effects
Common or very common With oromucosal use Dry mouth; hypersensitivity; oral disorders; taste altered; tongue discolouration; tooth discolouration Frequency not known With topical use Skin reactions Side-effects, further information If desquamation occurs with mucosal irritation, discontinue treatment.
Interactions
**Other interactions (5):**
- Chlorhexidine is incompatible with anionic agents.
- The action of chlorhexidine is reduced by alkaline pH, the presence of organic matter, anionic detergents and tannins.
- The effect of chlorhexidine will be inactivated on contact with soap or blood.
- Chlorhexidine digluconate is incompatible with anionic agents which are usually present in conventional dentrifices.
- Hypochlorite bleaches may cause brown stains to develop in fabrics which have previously been in contact with preparations containing chlorhexidine.
Medicinal forms
Solution,Cream,Solution,Solution,Gel
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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