Chlorhexidine
Unchecked
From Pharmacopedia
More actions
Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)
Hibiclens, Hibistat, Peridex (dental rinse), ChloraPrep
Experience
No personal reports yet
No clinical reports yet
Log in to add your own experience.
Problems
No problems yet. Be the first to suggest one.
+ Add a problemTitration strategies
No titration strategies yet. Be the first to suggest one.
Effects
No effects listed yet. Be the first to suggest one.
Relevant anecdote
No anecdotes yet. Share a relevant one.
Relevant Literature
No literature entries yet.
Log in to submit relevant literature.
Summary
Classes
Common uses
Preoperative surgical skin antisepsis0, Healthcare-worker hand antisepsis0, CLABSI prevention via daily chlorhexidine bathing in ICU patients0, Adjunctive periodontal therapy (oral rinse)0, Vascular catheter site cleansing (ChloraPrep)0
Pharmacy
Starting dose
Surgical scrub 4% CHG; preop skin prep 2% CHG/70% isopropyl alcohol (ChloraPrep); ICU bathing 2% CHG daily; oral rinse 0.12% 15 mL twice daily for 30 seconds
Preparations
2%, 4% wash; 2% CHG/70% IPA applicators (ChloraPrep); 0.12%, 0.2% oral rinse; impregnated catheter dressings
US FDA Max
Per formulation
Pharmacology
Routes
Topical, oral rinse (do not swallow)
Onset
Minutes
Duration
Persistent activity 6+ hours (residual binding to skin and oral surfaces)
Half-life
Not meaningfully described (negligible systemic absorption from intact skin or oral mucosa)[1]
Bioavailability
Topical/oral local action with minimal systemic absorption[1]
Pregnancy
Generally considered safe (minimal systemic absorption).[citation needed]
Legal status
OTC (lower-concentration washes) and Rx-only (Peridex oral rinse, ChloraPrep) in US
Purported mechanism
Chlorhexidine is a cationic bisbiguanide that binds negatively charged bacterial cell walls, disrupting membrane integrity and producing rapid bactericidal action; the residual binding to skin and oral surfaces sustains antimicrobial effect for hours after application, the basis of its dominance in surgical antisepsis.0 Hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis) is a rising concern (FDA 2017 advisory on CHG-related anaphylaxis); also produces extrinsic dental staining and altered taste with prolonged oral rinse use. Active against most gram-positives and gram-negatives; some resistance in long-term hospital use[1].