Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine

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	A01AB03 (WHO) B05CA02 (WHO), D08AC02 (WHO), D09AA12 (WHO) (dressing), R02AA05 (WHO), S01AX09 (WHO), S02AA09 (WHO), S03AA04 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: OTC
Identifiers
IUPAC name N,N′′′′1,6-Hexanediylbis[N′-(4-chlorophenyl)(imidodicarbonimidic diamide)]
Synonyms	1,6-bis(4-chloro-phenylbiguanido)hexane
CAS Number	55-56-1 Y
PubChem CID	5353524
DrugBank	DB00878 Y
ChemSpider	2612 Y
UNII	R4KO0DY52L
KEGG	D07668 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:3614 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL790 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.217
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C22H30Cl2N10
Molar mass	505.446 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
Solubility in water	0.0008 mg/mL (20 °C)
SMILES Clc1ccc(NC(=N)NC(=N)NCCCCCCNC(=N)NC(=N)Nc2ccc(Cl)cc2)cc1
InChI InChI=1S/C22H30Cl2N10/c23-15-5-9-17(10-6-15)31-21(27)33-19(25)29-13-3-1-2-4-14-30-20(26)34-22(28)32-18-11-7-16(24)8-12-18/h5-12H,1-4,13-14H2,(H5,25,27,29,31,33)(H5,26,28,30,32,34) Y Key:GHXZTYHSJHQHIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y

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).