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Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidin.svg
Chlorhexidine 3D spacefill.png
Clinical data
Trade names Betasept, ChloraPrep, Chlorostat, others
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
Pregnancy
category
  • US: B (No risk in non-human studies) and C
Routes of
administration
topical, mouth wash
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
Synonyms 1,6-bis(4-chloro-phenylbiguanido)hexane
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.217
Chemical and physical data
Formula C22H30Cl2N10
Molar mass 505.446 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)
Solubility in water 0.0008 mg/mL (20 °C)
  

Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic that is used for skin disinfection before surgery and to sterilize surgical instruments. It may be used both to disinfect the skin of the patient and the hands of the healthcare providers. It is also used for cleaning wounds, preventing dental plaque, treating yeast infections of the mouth, and to keep urinary catheters from blocking. It is used as a liquid or powder.

Side effects may include skin irritation, teeth discoloration, and allergic reactions. May cause eye problems if direct contact occurs. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. Chlorhexidine may come mixed in alcohol, water, or surfactant solution. It is effective against a range of microorganisms though does not inactivate spores.

Chlorhexidine came into medical use in the 1950s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Chlorhexidine is available over the counter. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 2.20 to 4.10 USD per liter of 5% solution. In the United Kingdom this amount costs the NHS about £4.80.

Chlorhexidine is used in disinfectants (disinfection of the skin and hands), cosmetics (additive to creams, toothpaste, deodorants, and antiperspirants), and pharmaceutical products (preservative in eye drops, active substance in wound dressings and antiseptic mouthwashes).


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