Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Indications
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used for:
Disinfection of clean and intact skin. Pre-operative hand disinfection
Adult Dose
Adults: Pre-operative surgical hand disinfection: Dispense 5 ml of solution and spread thoroughly over both hands and forearms, rubbing vigorously. When dry apply a further 5 ml and repeat the procedure.
Antiseptic hand disinfection on the ward: Dispense 3 ml of solution and spread thoroughly over the hands and wrists rubbing vigorously until dry.
Disinfection of patients' skin: Prior to surgery apply the solution to a sterile swab and rub vigorously over the operation site for a minimum of 2 minutes.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is also used for preparation of the skin prior to invasive procedures such as venepuncture.
Elderly and children: There are no special dosing regimes for children and the elderly.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
For external use only.
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity.
Precautions
Avoid contact w/ middle ear or sensitive tissues and eyes. Do not inject or use in body cavities.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Soaps, other anionic materials, K iodide.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Chlorhexidine Gluconate :
Skin sensitivity; irritation.
Mechanism of Action
Chlorhexidine is a very potent cationic chemoprophylactic agent that has a broad-spectrum of activity against gm+ve and gm-ve bacteria. It is both bacteriostatic and bactericidal depending on its concentration. The bactericidal effect, which is achieved at high concentrations, is due to the binding of the cationic to negatively charged bacterial cell walls and extramicrobial complexes. Bacteriostatic effect is achieved at low concentrations which causes an alteration of bacterial cell osmotic equilibrium and leakage of potassium and phosphorus.