Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Registered South African indications:

• Skin antiseptic

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients

Cautions

• Contact with eyes, ears and mouth
• Wounds that involve more than the superficial skin layers
• Repeated use of cleansing of large surfaces (unless necessary for condition)
• Preoperative preparation of face or head
• Contact with meninges 
• Genital areas
• Children <2 months

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: liq

Skin Antiseptic

• Topical (liq): Add approx. 2.5ml and rub well into hands until dry

Disinfection of hands prior to surgery

• Topical (liq): Add approx. 5ml to wet hands, wash for 1min using nail brush for fingernails, rinse; Repeat the scrub for 2min immediately prior to surgery

Use undiluted

For external use only

No information available

Pregnancy

• No effects during pregnancy are anticipated since systemic exposure to chlorhexidine gluconate is negligible. Chlorhexidine can be used during pregnancy

Breastfeeding

• Compatible
• No effects on the breastfed newborn/infant are anticipated since the systemic exposure of the breastfeeding woman to chlorhexidine gluconate is negligible. Chlorhexidine can be used during breastfeeding

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Elderly            

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not porphyrinogenic (NP)

Drugs in Sport

• Non-regulated product: Authorities caution athletes against the risk of using these products

Respiratory Disorders

• Dyspnea
• Nasal congestion

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Allergic sensitization
• Erythema
• Hypersensitivity reaction
• Rough skin
• Xeroderma

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Facial oedema

No known significant interactions

None routine

Chlorhexidine is active against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, facultative anaerobes, aerobes, and yeast. It is both bacteriostatic and bactericidal depending on its concentration. At high concentrations, the bactericidal effect is as a result of binding of this cationic molecule to negatively charged bacterial cell walls and extramicrobial complexes.  At low concentrations, the bacteriostatic effect causes an alteration of bacterial cell osmotic equilibrium and leakage of potassium and phosphorus.  

Liquid (per 100ml) 20ml

• Bioscrub (B.Braun)

Liquid (per 100ml) 0.5% v/v

• Biotane (B.Braun)
• Sterisol (Barrs)