Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic that is used to disinfect surgical sites and to sterilize the instruments used in surgical procedures. It may also be used to disinfect the hands of the medical professionals performing surgical procedures, to clean wounds, to keep urinary catheters from becoming blocked, and to treat candida infections in the mouth. For periodontology purposes, it is also used to prevent dental plaque. Chlorhexidine may be used in liquid or powder form and has been used for medical purposes since the 1950s. It is included on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. In addition to its medical uses, chlorhexidine is also a common additive in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

There is substantial evidence that chlorhexidine gluconate is a more effective antiseptic than iodine, and, while it is particularly active against certain organisms, anaerobes, and yeasts, it is not effective against polioviruses and adenoviruses. There is insufficient data to support its effectiveness against herpes viruses. These powerful antiseptic qualities make chlorhexidine gluconate-based mouthwashes particularly effective at reducing plaque buildup and treating mild inflammation of the gingiva; clinical recommendation is twice-daily rinses with a solution of .1-.2% solution for at least 30 seconds each. While chlorhexidine mouth rinses have beneficial effects against plaque and gingivitis, there are also a number of possible adverse effects. These include damage to the soft tissue that lines the mouth, discoloration of the teeth, and potential taste impairment. Tooth staining usually only appears after long-term use of chlorhexidine mouth rinses for four weeks or more. More recent developments have led to the development of chlorhexidine mouth rinses that also contain chelated zinc, which has been found to reduce the likelihood of staining of the teeth. Dental professionals recommend the use of chlorhexidine mouth rinses in addition to traditional recommended oral hygiene practices of regular brushing and flossing. However, because of the specific ways chlorhexidine interacts with certain compounds in toothpaste, it is recommended that users wait to use chlorhexidine at least 30 minutes, if not longer, after brushing. Common brand names for chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash include Dentohexin, Paroex, Periogard, Peridex, and Corsodyl.

Chlorhexidine gluconate has been embraced worldwide as an antiseptic in a number of clinical settings and for a variety of uses. It is unclear whether prolonged exposure to chlorhexidine gluconate is carcinogenic; for this reason, the US Food and Drug Administration recommends that it not be used for more than six months. When ingested, chlorhexidine gluconate can cause nausea or gastrointestinal irritation, and, if aspirated at a high enough concentration, it may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is fatal. Chlorhexidine in lower concentrations is easily deactivated by many surfactants and emulsifiers; it is therefore recommended that chlorhexidine remain on the skin or other targeted tissues, unadulterated by cleansers or sanitizers, which lead to deactivation of its antiseptic properties.

Chlorhexidine is also widely used in veterinary medicine as a topical disinfectant for wounds and to treat infections on the skin, and disinfectant products that contain chlorhexidine are commonly used in dairy farming. Chlorhexidine gluconate has been found to possibly lead to respiratory problems following surgical procedures in cats, specifically.