Chlorhexidine

Mouth/Throat
Oral candidiasis
Adult: As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% spray: Apply bid. Max: 12 actuations bid. As chlorhexidine digluconate 1% gel: Brush teeth with 1 inch of gel once or bid for about 1 minute. As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% solution: Rinse mouth bid with 10 mL for about 1 minute or soak dentures for 15 minutes bid.
Child: ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Incompatibility: Incompatible with soaps or other anionic agents.

Mouth/Throat
Oral hygiene
Adult: As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% spray: Apply bid. Max: 12 actuations bid. As chlorhexidine digluconate 1% gel: Brush teeth with 1 inch of gel once or bid for about 1 minute. As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% solution: Rinse mouth bid with 10 mL for about 1 minute or soak dentures for 15 minutes bid.
Child: ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Incompatibility: Incompatible with soaps or other anionic agents.

Mouth/Throat
Aphthous ulcer
Adult: As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% spray: Apply bid. Max: 12 actuations bid. As chlorhexidine digluconate 1% gel: Brush teeth with 1 inch of gel once or bid for about 1 minute. As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% solution: Rinse mouth bid with 10 mL for about 1 minute or soak dentures for 15 minutes bid.
Child: ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Incompatibility: Incompatible with soaps or other anionic agents.

Mouth/Throat
Gingivitis
Adult: For treatment and prevention: As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% spray: Apply bid for 1 month. Max: 12 actuations bid. As chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% solution: Rinse mouth bid with 15 mL for about 30 seconds. As chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% solution: Rinse mouth bid with 10 mL for about 1 minute. As chlorhexidine digluconate 1% gel: Brush teeth with 1 inch of gel once or bid for about 1 minute for 1 month.
Child: ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Incompatibility: Incompatible with soaps or other anionic agents.

Mouth/Throat
Prophylaxis of dental caries
Adult: As chlorhexidine digluconate 1% gel: Apply for 5 minutes every night for 14 days in a close-fitting tray. Repeat treatment every 3-4 months.
Child: ≥12 years Same as adult dose.
Incompatibility: Incompatible with soaps or other anionic agents.

Topical/Cutaneous
As antiseptic and disinfectant
Adult: As chlorhexidine acetate 0.05% solution: Irrigation of wound and burn. As chlorhexidine gluconate 4% solution: General cleansing of skin and wounds. As chlorhexidine gluconate 0.25% cream: Minor burns and abrasions.
Incompatibility: Incompatible with soaps or other anionic agents.

Hypersensitivity.

Children. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling Not intended for use in the eye, auditory canal, meninges, brain, spinal cord and genital area. This drug may stain teeth and tongue.

Significant: Chemical burns in neonates. Gastrointestinal disorders: Dry mouth, taste alteration. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Dermatitis, pruritus, erythema, eczema, rash, urticaria, skin irritation, blisters.
Potentially Fatal: Serious allergic reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock).

Chlorhexidine exerts its bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms by binding cationic molecule to negatively charged bacterial cell walls and extramicrobial complexes leading to precipitation of cytoplasmic contents of bacterial cell wall which results in cell death. At low concentration, it acts as a bacteriostatic by alteration of bacterial cell osmotic equilibrium and leakage of potassium and phosphorus.
Absorption: Poorly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract.
Excretion: Via faeces (approx 90%); urine (<1%).

Mouth/Throat: Store below 25°C. Protect from light. Topical/Cutaneous: Store below 25°C. Protect from light.

Mouth/Throat Preparations / Skin Antiseptics & Disinfectants

D09AA12 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of ointment dressings with antiinfectives.
D08AC02 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of biguanide and amidine antiseptics. Used in the treatment of dermatological diseases.
B05CA02 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of antiinfectives used as irrigating solutions.
S01AX09 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of other antiinfectives. Used in the treatment of eye infections.
R02AA05 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of antiseptics used in throat preparations.
S02AA09 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of antiinfectives used in the treatment of ear infections.
A01AB03 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of local antiinfective and antiseptic preparations. Used in the treatment of diseases of the mouth.
S03AA04 - chlorhexidine ; Belongs to the class of antiinfectives used in ophthalmologic and otologic preparations.