Formulary
Hydrogen peroxide: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Hydrogen peroxide: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent.
Drug action
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent.
Indications and dose
**Oral hygiene (with hydrogen peroxide 6%)**
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Mouthwash): Rinse or gargle 15 mL 2-3 times a day for 2-3 minutes, to be diluted in half a tumblerful of warm water.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Mouthwash): Rinse or gargle 15 mL 2-3 times a day for 2-3 minutes, to be diluted in half a tumblerful of warm water.
**General use**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Use 3% and 6% solutions (consult product literature).
**Superficial bacterial skin infection**
- **Child** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for up to 3 weeks.
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for up to 3 weeks.
**Localised non-bullous impetigo [in patients who are not systemically unwell or at high risk of complications]**
- **Child** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days.
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days.
**Oral hygiene**
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Mouthwash): 6-17 years Rinse or gargle 10 mL 3 times a day for about 1 minute, for maximum 7 days, to be used after meals and at bedtime.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Mouthwash): Rinse or gargle 10 mL up to 4 times a day for about 1 minute, to be used after meals and at bedtime.
**Oral hygiene (with hydrogen peroxide 6%) for hydrogen peroxide**
- **Child** (By mouth using mouthwash): Rinse or gargle 15 mL 2-3 times a day for 2-3 minutes, to be diluted in half a tumblerful of warm water.
**Superficial bacterial skin infection for Crystacide**
- **Child** (To the skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for up to 3 weeks.
**Localised non-bullous impetigo [in patients who are not systemically unwell or at high risk of complications] for Crystacide**
- **Child** (To the skin): Apply 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days.
**Oral hygiene for Peroxyl**
- **Child 6-17 years** (By mouth using mouthwash): Rinse or gargle 10 mL 3 times a day for about 1 minute, for maximum 7 days, to be used after meals and at bedtime.
Cautions
With topical use Avoid on eyes; avoid on healthy skin; incompatible with products containing iodine or potassium permanganate
Contraindications
With topical use Closed body cavities (in adults); deep wounds; large wounds; use as disinfection agent for surgical instruments (in adults); use as enema (in adults); use during surgery (in adults)
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- Crystacide cream is incompatible with iodine, permanganates and other stronger oxidising agents.
Medicinal forms
Cream
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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