Hibiclens

Chlorhexidine is a prescription medication used to treat gingivitis, redness and swelling of gums, and to control gum bleeding. It is also used to help treat peridontitis, or gum disease. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antimicrobials. It works by reducing bacteria in the mouth.

Chlorhexidine comes as an oral rinse. Use chlorhexidine rinse regularly, as directed by your dentist, in addition to daily brushing. Spit out after use. Chlorhexidine rinse should not be swallowed. Do not rinse with water or other mouthwashes immediately after rinsing with chlorhexidine.

Chlorhexidine also comes as a dental chip. It is inserted by your dentinst into the gum pocket at most once every three months.

Common side effects of the rinse include tooth discoloration, tartar buildup, and altered taste.

Common side effects of the chip include toothache, headache, and upper airway infection.

Chlorhexidine is a prescription medication used to treat gingivitis, redness and swelling of gums, and to control gum bleeding. It is also used to help treat peridontitis, or gum disease.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Hibiclens is part of the drug classes:

• Antiinfectives and antiseptics for local oral treatment

• Antiseptics

• Biguanides and amidines

• Medicated dressings with antiinfectives

• Other antiinfectives

Serious side effects have been reported with chlorhexidine including the following:

• Allergic symptoms. Tell your health care provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of allergic symptoms.
  • skin rash
  • itch
  • generalized swelling
  • breathing difficulties
  • light headedness
  • rapid heart rate
  • upset stomach
  • diarrhea
• Pain or swelling. Notify your dentist promptly if pain, swelling, or other problems occur. (Some mild to moderate sensitivity is normal during the first week after placement of chip)

Do not use chlorhexidine if you have a known to be hypersensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dose of chlorhexidine rinse for the treatment of treat gingivitis, redness and swelling of gums, and to control gum bleeding is 15ml (marked in cap) twice a day.

The recommended dose of chlorhexidine dental chip for the treatment of treat gingivitis, redness and swelling of gums, and to control gum bleeding is 2.5 mg chip every 3 months.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Because of chlorhexidine's potential for causing excessive skin irritation and the risk of increased absorption through the skin, use in children less than 2 months of age is not recommended.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of chlorhexidine in geriatric patients.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Deep or open skin wounds—Some products should not be used for this condition. Use the medicine only as directed by your doctor.

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain chlorhexidine. It may not be specific to Hibiclens. Please read with care.

Some of the chlorhexidine products will be used in a hospital or clinic setting. The medicine will be applied by a nurse or other trained health professional.

You may be instructed to use this medicine at home. It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause irritation of the skin.

Different forms of the medicine are used in different ways. Be sure you understand the directions for the product you are given before you use it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Follow your doctor's instructions about how to clean and care for your skin before and after you use this medicine. Make sure you understand all of the directions, and ask questions if you find something is not clear.

Chlorhexidine should only be used on the skin. Do not swallow it or get it in the eyes, ears, mouth, or nose. Do not use it on the genital area (sex organs) or anal area. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage form (hand rinse or wipe, solution, or swabstick applicator):
  • To clean the hands (eg, Hibistat®):
    • The Hibistat® product contains large amounts of alcohol (70%) and is flammable. Apply the medicine in a well-ventilated place and do not use it while you are smoking.
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 months of age and older:
      • Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry your hands with a towel.
      • Rub the hands with the hand wipe for 15 seconds. Make sure to use the wipe under the fingernails and between the fingers. The medicine will dry quickly so you should not use a towel for drying. Do not wet your hands a second time.
      • Pour 1 teaspoonful (5 milliliters) of the hand rinse in your cupped hand. Rub the hands together for 15 seconds. Make sure to apply the rinse under the fingernails and between the fingers. The medicine will dry quickly so you should not use a towel for drying. Do not wet your hands a second time.
    • Children younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
  • To clean the skin or a wound (eg, Betasept®, Hibiclens®):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 months of age and older—Rinse the area to be cleaned with water. Apply the smallest amount of liquid needed to cover the skin or wound area and wash gently. Thoroughly rinse the area again with water.
    • Children younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
  • To use before surgery or an injection (eg, Chloraprep®):
    • The Chloraprep® product contains large amounts of alcohol (70%) and is flammable. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts or scrapes. Apply the medicine in a well-ventilated place and do not use it while you are smoking.
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 months of age and older:
      • Open the pouch and use the handle to remove the swabstick applicator. Do not touch the applicator tip. Rub the applicator on the skin with the flat side against the skin. Use a back and forth motion for 30 seconds.
      • Make sure the skin is completely wet. Let the skin air dry for one minute. Do not use a towel for drying.
      • Do not cover the treated area until the skin is completely dry. This is usually one minute or longer for hairless skin. If you must apply the medicine to a hairy area of the body, wipe the area with a towel to remove extra medicine.
    • Children younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.

Storage

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

The Chloraprep® and Hibistat® products contain large amounts of alcohol (70%) and are flammable. Do not store them near a flame, heater, or electrical device.

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Missed Dose

Consult your pharmacist.

Storage

Consult your pharmacist.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.

Applies to chlorhexidine topical: compounding liquid, mucous membrane insert, mucous membrane liquid, topical dressing, topical liquid, topical pad, topical soap, topical solution, topical sponge

General

The most commonly reported side effects include toothache, tongue coating, skin irritation and hypersensitivity reactions.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Toothache (up to 50.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, glossodynia, oral paresthesia, dyspepsia, ulcerative stomatitis, gum hyperplasia
Frequency not reported: Mouth irritation, coated tongue, desquamation/superficial desquamation/oral mucosa swelling, parotid gland swelling, burning sensation of the tongue, increased dental calculus formation, aphthous ulcer, gingivitis/grossly obvious gingivitis, geographic tongue, tooth disorder, dental/gingival/mouth pain, broken/cracked/fractured teeth, mobile teeth, lost bridges/crowns/fillings, discoloration of the teeth, gums, and dorsum of the tongue
Postmarketing reports: Stomatitis, glossitis, ulcer, glossal edema, sialadenitis/inflammation of the salivary glands[Ref]

Toothache occurred most often in patients receiving the periodontal chip, and included dental/gingival/mouth pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, or sensitivity.

Tooth disorder occurred most often in patients receiving the periodontal chip, and included broken/cracked/fractured teeth, mobile teeth, and lost bridges/crowns/fillings.[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 28.4%), sinusitis (up to 13.8%)
Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, pharyngitis
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, rhinitis, coughing, dyspnea[Ref]

Bronchospasm occurred with hypersensitivity reactions.

Upper respiratory tract infection and sinusitis have occurred most commonly in patients receiving the periodontal chip.[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Ageusia/dysgeusia, hypoesthesia
Frequency not reported: Transient dysgeusia, headache, loss of consciousness
Postmarketing reports: Hypesthesia, paresthesia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Arthrosis, tendinitis
Frequency not reported: Back pain, myalgia, arthralgia[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Ulceration, desquamation, keratinization, mucocele, short frenum, pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, sensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Minor irritation[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Rash, erythema/generalized erythema, urticaria, dermatitis, pruritus, eczema, skin irritation, blisters, cold sweat, irritative or allergic skin reactions[Ref]

Rash, erythema, and urticaria occurred with hypersensitivity reactions.

Dermatitis, pruritus, erythema, eczema, rash, urticaria, skin irritation, and blisters occurred with allergic skin reactions.[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Chemical burns in neonates, trauma, abscess, influenza-like symptoms, deafness, sensitive tissue irritation[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse, hypotension, tachycardia, hypertension[Ref]

Cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse, hypotension, and tachycardia occurred as hypersensitivity reactions.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reactions/fatal anaphylactic reactions
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Irreversible corneal damage, irritation to the conjunctiva[Ref]

Exposure of the eye to chlorhexidine cleanser, generally during preparation for facial surgery, has resulted in eye pain, edema of the epithelium, keratitis, inflammation of the conjunctiva, corneal epithelial cell loss, chronic corneal ulcers, and opacification. Corneal transplantation to correct permanent damage has been required in some patients.

Allergic conjunctivitis is rarely associated with the use of contact lens solutions which contain low concentrations of chlorhexidine as a preservative.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Hematuria occurred after bladder irrigation.[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Dysmenorrhea, hematuria[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Allergy[Ref]

Some side effects of Hibiclens may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.