chlorhexidine topical (OTC)

Brand and Other Names:Betasept, Hibiclens, more...Hibistat, Exidine, BioScrub, Dyna-Hex

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosing Form & Strengths

liquid/foam

  • 0.75%
  • 2%
  • 4%

lotion

  • 1%

swab

  • 3.15%

swabsticks

  • 2%
  • 3.15%

solution

  • 2%

towelette

  • 0.5% plus isopropyl alcohol 70%/5mL

sponge

  • 2%
  • 4%

Cleanser & Antiseptic

Indicated as a surgical hand scrub, wound cleanser, and preoperative skin cleanser

Surgical scrub: Scrub for 3 min, rinse and wash for another 3 min

Preoperative skin cleanser: Apply to surgical site and swab for 2 minutes, allow to dry, repeat once

Wound cleaning: Rinse area with water, apply to wound area and wash gently, and then rinse thoroughly

Hand sanitizer: Dispense in palm of one hand, dip fingetips of opposite hand into solution and work it under nails; spread remainder covering all surfaces of above elbow and over hand; repeat on other hand, allow to dry before using gloves

Hand wash: Wash for 15 seconds and rinse

Hand rinse: Rub 15 seconds and rinse

Safety and efficacy not established

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and chlorhexidine topical

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

            All Interactions Sort By:
             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (1)

              • allogeneic cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts

                chlorhexidine topical decreases effects of allogeneic cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Comment: Chlorhexidine topical antiseptic has been shown to be toxic to keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts.

              Monitor Closely (0)

                Minor (0)

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                  Adverse Effects

                  Frequency Not Defined

                  Irritation

                  Sensitization

                  Allergic reactions (particularly in genital areas)

                  Dyspnea

                  Nasal congestion

                  Facial edema

                  Postmarketing Reports

                  Allergic reaction (wheezing/difficulty breathing, shock, facial swelling, hives, rash)

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                  Warnings

                  Contraindications

                  Hypersensitivity

                  Cautions

                  External use only

                  Avoid contact with eyes, ears, and mucous membranes; immediately rinse with cold water if contact occurs

                  If product inadvertently comes in contact with eyes, immediately flush with cool water for 15 minutes and contact a physician

                  If this product is inadvertently swallowed, contact a physician and/or poison control center immediately

                  Serious allergic reactions reported, including anaphylaxis that can occur within minutes presenting as wheezing, difficulty breathing, facial edema, hives, severe rash, or hypotension and shock

                  Do not use for deep wound cleansing; avoid if wound involves more than superficial skin layers

                  Hearing loss reported when instilled in middle ear through perforated tympanic membrane

                  Use with care in premature infants or infants aged <2 months; potential for irritation or chemical burns

                  Avoid applying over large surfaces

                  Not for presurgery preparation of face or head

                  Product may cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include, wheezing/ difficulty breathing, shock, facial swelling, hives, and rash; if allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away

                  High alcohol containing lotions are flammable; keep away from fire or flames

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                  Pregnancy & Lactation

                  Pregnancy Category: B

                  Lactation: Unknown whether distributed in breast milk, LactMed states no toxicity observed in breastfed infants when topically applied

                  Pregnancy Categories

                  A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                  B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                  C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                  D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                  X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                  NA: Information not available.

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                  Pharmacology

                  Mechanism of Action

                  Polybiguanide antiseptic and antimicrobial drug with bactericidal activity; at high concentrations of chlorhexidine the cytoplasmic contents of the bacterial cell precipitate and result in cell death

                  Pharmacokinetics

                  Duration of antibacterial protection: 6 hr

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                  Images

                  BRAND FORM. UNIT PRICE PILL IMAGE
                  Peridex mucous membrane
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  Peridex mucous membrane
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  Betasept Surgical Scrub topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Betasept Surgical Scrub topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Betasept Surgical Scrub topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Betasept Surgical Scrub topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Betasept Surgical Scrub topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Paroex Oral Rinse
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Hibiclens topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  Periogard mucous membrane
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  Periogard mucous membrane
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  chlorhexidine gluconate topical
                  -
                  2 % miscellaneous
                  chlorhexidine gluconate topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  chlorhexidine gluconate topical
                  -
                  4 % liquid
                  chlorhexidine gluconate mouth and throat
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  chlorhexidine gluconate mouth and throat
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid
                  chlorhexidine gluconate mouth and throat
                  -
                  0.12 % liquid

                  Copyright © 2010 First DataBank, Inc.

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                  Patient Handout

                  Select a drug:
                  Patient Education
                  chlorhexidine gluconate topical

                  NO MONOGRAPH AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

                  USES: Consult your pharmacist.

                  HOW TO USE: Consult your pharmacist.

                  SIDE EFFECTS: Consult your pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

                  PRECAUTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.

                  DRUG INTERACTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

                  OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

                  NOTES: No monograph available at this time.

                  MISSED DOSE: Consult your pharmacist.

                  STORAGE: Consult your pharmacist.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

                  Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.

                  IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

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                  Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.