pharmacopeia
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/api/v1/drug/chlorhexidine

Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Mechanism-of-action class: Physiochemical Activity.

Indications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Use healthcare personnel handwash: helps reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease

Dosage & administration

Sourced from openFDA

Directions use with care in premature infants and infants under 2 months of age. These products may cause irritation or chemical burns. Healthcare personnel handwash: wet hands with water dispense about 5 mL of product into cupped hands and wash in a vigorous manner for 30 seconds rinse and dry thoroughly

Warnings & precautions

Sourced from openFDA

For external use only Allergy alert: This product may cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include: wheezing/difficulty breathing shock facial swelling hives rash If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away. Do not use if you are allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or any other ingredient in this product When using this product keep out of eyes, ears, and mouth. May cause serious and permanent eye injury if permitted to enter and remain in the eye or may cause deafness when instilled in the middle ear through perforated eardrums. if solution should contact these areas, rinse out promptly and thoroughly with water do not use routinely if you have wounds which involve more than the superficial layers of the skin Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation, sensitization, or allergic reaction occurs. These may be signs of a serious condition. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Approval history

Sourced from openFDA
  • Sep 17, 1976NDANDA017768Molnlycke Hlth
  • Dec 24, 1984NDANDA019125Xttrium
  • Dec 24, 1984NDANDA019127Xttrium
  • Dec 17, 1985NDANDA019422Xttrium
  • Jul 22, 1986NDANDA019258Ecolab
  • Aug 13, 1986NDANDA019028Solventum
  • Sep 11, 1997NDANDA020111Bajaj
  • Jul 14, 2000NDANDA020832Becton Dickinson Co

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
9,270 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Fatigue2,08322%
  2. 2Rash1,94821%
  3. 3Pain1,93221%
  4. 4Joint Swelling1,89020%
  5. 5Hypersensitivity1,77619%
  6. 6Impaired Healing1,74919%
  7. 7Folliculitis1,73719%
  8. 8Weight Increased1,72219%
  9. 9Arthralgia1,71819%
  10. 10Stomatitis1,69018%
  11. 11Dyspnoea1,68118%
  12. 12Peripheral Swelling1,67418%
  13. 13Lower Respiratory Tract Infection1,66518%
  14. 14Confusional State1,62318%
  15. 15Blister1,61617%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Chlorhexidine as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 1,256 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Chlorhexidine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Frequently asked questions

How does Chlorhexidine work?
Mechanism-of-action class: Physiochemical Activity.
What is Chlorhexidine used for?
According to FDA labeling, Chlorhexidine carries indications including: Use healthcare personnel handwash: helps reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Chlorhexidine?
Chlorhexidine is classified as Antiinfectives, Antiinfectives and antiseptics for local oral treatment, Antiseptics, Biguanides and amidines, Medicated dressings with antiinfectives, Other antiinfectives, Physiochemical Activity, Decreased Cell Wall Integrity.
What are the brand names for Chlorhexidine?
Chlorhexidine is marketed under brand names including Avagard, Bactoshield, Betasept, CHG Teat Dip, Calgon Vesta, ChloraPrep, Dyna-Hex, E-Z Scrub.
Note. Data for chlorhexidine is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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