Chlorhexidine (“Chlorhexidine bigluconate”) is one of the most popular gargles for a wide range of infectious and viral diseases. Its fame is due to its availability and decades-proven effectiveness. However, it is not clear to everyone how to dilute Chlorhexidine for rinsing. In the article we will present in detail the instructions for preparing the solution for adults and children, indications for use, analogues of the product, recommendations for more effective use.
Characteristics of the product
"Chlorhexidine" by its nature is a universal antiseptic. It was first synthesized at the beginning of the last century in Great Britain. From then to the present, it has been the leading disinfectant for the external treatment of skin, as well as medical instruments. Widely used in surgical practice. In addition to being an independent drug, it is part of many medications - antiseptic, promoting skin regeneration, etc.
"Chlorhexidine bigluconate" is produced by dozens of Russian enterprises alone. In fact, there is no difference in their products. The product differs only in its concentration. In this format it can be presented in five variations:
- 0,05 %.
- 0,2 %.
- 0,5 %.
- 1 %.
- 5 %.
What do these numbers mean? For example, 100 ml of a “Chlorhexidine” solution of five percent concentration (5%) contains 5 ml of the active substance.
The composition of Chlorhexidine preparations is identical. These are just two elements:
- Purified drinking water.
- Ingredient: chlorhexidine bigluconate.
Release form: solution in vials (plastic, glass) of various volumes. The most common containers in pharmacies are 100-500 ml containers. Bottles with a volume of 2 liters or more are produced especially for medical institutions.
How is Chlorgesidine used? What is it used for? The scope of its application is wide. If you purchase the drug specifically for rinsing, then it is better to stop at a solution of 0.05% concentration.
Description of the drug
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic drug that is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, some protozoa, as well as the causative agent of the herpes virus. The product is used to disinfect surfaces during surgical interventions, treat surgeons' hands and skin surfaces. After treatment, it retains the bactericidal effect for some time. There is a decrease in the bactericidal effect in the presence of organic liquids (blood, pus, lymph).
Externally, Chlorhexidine is a clear liquid similar to water. In the finished solution, the active ingredient is chlorhexidine bigluconate. The concentration of the active substance in the solution varies - 0.05% and 20%, and, accordingly, the release volume is 100 and 500 milliliters.
If you do not have the time or opportunity to read the entire article, watch the video on this topic:
Chlorhexidine has high antibacterial activity. Its field of influence includes E. coli, gonococci, Klebsiella, staphylococcus and streptococcus, the causative agent of syphilis and tuberculosis, chlamydia, ureaplasma, viral hepatitis and many others. Treatment of the skin with a solution of Chlorhexidine does not lead to the absorption of its active component into the blood.
Depending on the concentration of the active component, the scope of application of the solutions is different. A 20% solution is used for the following purposes:
- the surgeon's hands and the surgical field are treated before manipulation;
- in food production, the hands of workers are disinfected;
- antibacterial treatment of the skin of the hands of medical workers of any profile;
- in treatment rooms, treatment of the injection site;
- processing of small medical instruments.
A solution of higher concentration is used to prepare a solution of lower concentration. A weak solution, in turn, is used for preventive purposes to avoid re-infection during surgery, as well as in the treatment of pathological skin conditions due to fungal or bacterial diseases, wound suppuration, and infectious diseases of the mucous membranes.
Chlorhexidine is highly effective in the treatment and prevention of many infectious diseases that are predominantly sexually transmitted.
Chlorhexidine solution has become widespread in the treatment of many diseases of the oral cavity, including dental diseases.
Release forms
“Chlorhexidine” for sore throat is not only a base for preparing a solution for rinsing. The same component can be found in other effective products. These drugs can be prescribed not only for acute viral and respiratory diseases:
- Dental gels. These are “Metrogil”, “Metrodent”, “Denta” and so on.
- Sprays and tablets indicated for diseases of the nasopharynx and throat - “Drill”, “Anti-angin”, “Sebidin”, etc.
- Cream preparations used for wound healing - Pantoderm, Depanthenol.
- Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory gels. For example, "Bemilon".
- Sprays and gels with a mild analgesic effect - “Lidocaine”, “Instillagel”, etc.
Composition of Chlorhexidine
The drug is manufactured by a dozen pharmaceutical plants in 5 variants with different concentrations of the active substance - chlorhexidine bigluconate.
In the composition of Chlorhexidine, the instructions for use note 2 components:
- 20% chlorhexidine digluconate substance;
- water.
The volume fraction of the active substance determines the concentration of the drug and its area of application.
| Concentration of working solution, % | Weight of chlorhexidine, g |
| 0,05 | 0,5 |
| 0,2 | 2 |
| 0,5 | 5 |
| 1 | 10 |
| 5 | 50 |
Chlorhexidine for throat and mouth should be 0.05%. For individual use, the medicine is sold in bottles of 100-500 ml. For use in medical institutions - volume up to 2 liters.
How does the product work?
"Chlorhexidine" for sore throat and other diseases characterized by inflammation of the oropharynx is one of the most effective drugs. It's all about its bactericidal and fungicidal effect.
The benefits of using the drug have been confirmed in laboratory conditions. For the experiment, we took a regular 0.05% solution of the drug. The tests were carried out at room temperature (+22 °C).
The result was as follows:
- Death of bacteria - after 1 minute of exposure.
- The death of fungal organisms occurs after 10 minutes of exposure.
Moreover, it is noted that as the ambient temperature increases, the effectiveness of the solution begins to increase. For example, already at 40-50 degrees (the temperature of the liquid at which comfortable rinsing of the oropharynx is possible), the exposure time is almost halved!
This means that it is enough to hold the solution in your mouth for about 30 seconds to eliminate all harmful microorganisms living there. How to achieve a fungicidal effect (against fungal creatures)? After the procedure, it is important to abstain from drinking and snacking for a while.
How to use chlorhexidine for colds?
This drug is good not only for treating a sore throat, but will also have a positive effect when you have a runny nose. Of course, with a cold, nasal congestion often occurs and can last for a long time.
The main purpose of chlorhexidine for colds is to rinse the nose. To do this, you should follow a few simple rules.
- The first thing to do is to thoroughly clear the nasal passages of mucus (as much as possible).
- Chlorhexidine, do not forget, should be warm or at room temperature.
- Lie on your side and instill liquid into the upper nostril. And from the second the contents should flow out.
- If suddenly the medicine gets into the mouth, then it must be spat out.
- And there are also small restrictions - you cannot lie down for an hour! Because residual liquid can still penetrate inside.
- Chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.05% is also suitable for the nose. There is no need to dilute it; we have already said that this weakens the medicinal properties of the drug.
Before rinsing
The reader will soon learn how to dilute Chlorhexidine for rinsing. It is equally important to properly prepare for the procedure - this will increase the effect of using the product.
The preliminary steps are simple:
- Before using Chlorhexidine, rinse your mouth and throat with plain water. But it’s better to avoid salty and soda solutions! In this case, the pH of the environment increases. Under such conditions, chlorhexidine bigluconate precipitates. And this makes rinsing more noticeable and even painful for you.
- The instructions for the solutions say that instead of rinsing, you can brush your teeth. Experts consider such preparation to be more effective, since “Chlorhexidine” is more intense in a slightly alkaline (pH 7-8) or neutral (pH 5-7) environment. Do not use hard tap water for preliminary hygiene procedures. It will reduce the beneficial bactericidal properties of Chlorhexidine.
How to use Chlorhexidine in gynecology
The product is actively used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. No later than 2 hours after unprotected intercourse, you need to take the solution. Men will need to insert 2 ml into the urinary canal, and women will need to insert 2 ml into the urinary canal and another 5-7 ml into the vagina. It is recommended to wipe the skin around the genitals with the solution. The instructions say that after using the drug you need to wait 2 hours before urinating. Otherwise, the effect of use will be less.
For preventive purposes, vaginal suppositories can be used.
Before using the product for thrush and other gynecological pathologies, you should consult a specialist in advance.
Application of 0.05% solution
The instructions for using Chlorhexidine for rinsing are quite simple:
- Pour the required volume of solution from the bottle into a special glass or other convenient container.
- Sip a small amount and keep it in your mouth.
- Tilt your head back and begin the procedure, not allowing the liquid to go down the esophagus.
- Tilt your head, throw it back deeper, return to the starting position. This is done so that the drug covers all the walls of the oropharynx.
- To achieve the effect, it is enough to rinse with one such portion of the solution for thirty seconds.
- Spit out the product - do not swallow it.
The recommended number of rinses (half a minute each) is about three times a day.
How to gargle: instructions for use
- Take a solution of chlorhexidine, the concentration of which is 0.05%, then dilute it 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 with warm water. If the child is over 12 years old, do not dilute the solution.
- Since a diluted or open medicine loses its properties in 30-40 minutes, prepare a portion of the solution for one procedure immediately before manipulation.
- First, the child should rinse the neck several times with just warm water.
- Next, he should take the prepared chlorhexidine solution in the amount of one tablespoon into his mouth and gargle for about 30-60 seconds.
- For sore throat, this rinse is performed twice in a row.
- After treatment, you should not eat or drink anything for 1-2 hours.
- Rinsing is performed 2-3 times a day, and in case of severe sore throat - up to 4 times.
- Duration of use should not exceed 7 days.
How to properly dilute Chlorhexidine?
So, only the 0.05% concentration of the drug does not require dilution. It can be used for rinsing immediately, which is why we recommend purchasing this type of product.
And if you bought a drug with a higher percentage of chlorhexidine bigluconate, then it must be further diluted with water before use. This is not done “by eye”, but in compliance with certain proportions.
How to dilute Chlorhexidine for rinsing:
- 0.2% concentration. Dilution with water in a ratio of one to four (one part Chlorhexidine to four parts water).
- 0.5% concentration. Dilution with water in a ratio of one to ten.
- 1% concentration. Dilution with water in a ratio of one to twenty.
- 5% concentration. How to dilute Chlorhexidine 5%? Dilution with water in a ratio of one to one hundred.
How to dilute Chlorhexidine for a child? Maintain the same water-preparation ratios as given above.
It is important not only not to exceed the percentage of chlorhexidine bigluconate in water (this can lead to burns of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx), but also not to prepare a solution that is too weak. It will be less effective and will not have the proper effect on microbes.
Chlorhexidine - application
To maximize the effect of using the drug, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Gargling with Chlorhexidine can only be done after preliminary cleaning of the mouth. To do this, you need to take a small amount of clean water into your mouth. After this, rinse for a minute and spit it out.
- You cannot eat or drink for the next hour. In addition, during this period it is important to talk less. All this is aimed at providing maximum peace to the throat.
- The medicinal liquid should not be swallowed. If a small amount gets into the stomach, you need to take the adsorbent without hesitating for a minute.
How to dilute Chlorhexidine?
For rinsing, a 0.05% preparation is used. If Chlorhexidine Bigluconate solution is available in higher concentrations, the medication must be diluted before use. For this purpose, cooled boiled or distilled water can be used.
You need to dilute it like this:
- 0.2% solution in a ratio of 1:4;
- 0.5% agent in a ratio of 1:10;
- 1% drug in a ratio of 1:20;
- 5% medication in a ratio of 1:100.
- Instructions for use of Chlorhexidine bigluconate for gargling
How to gargle with Chlorhexidine for an adult?
To maximize the effectiveness of using the solution, it is important to carry out the procedure correctly. How to gargle with Chlorhexidine for a sore throat in an adult:
- Take 15 ml of a 0.05% solution into your mouth. For this it is better to use a special measuring spoon. Do not apply by eye, as if the dosage is exceeded, you can burn the mucous membrane.
- The head should be tilted back slightly and rinsed for 30 seconds.
- You need to spit out the waste liquid.
Irrigation of the larynx is allowed. Only knowing how to properly gargle with Chlorhexidine for adults can carry out the procedure properly and speed up the healing process. The number of approaches depends on how intensely the pathology manifests itself:
- if the condition is satisfactory, the procedure should be carried out twice a day (in the morning and before bedtime);
- if severe pain bothers you, manipulation can be performed every 4 hours.
How to gargle with Chlorhexidine during pregnancy?
This solution can be used by a woman during pregnancy. However, it is important for a pregnant woman to be extremely careful during the procedure to avoid swallowing even a small amount of medication. In addition, before using the medicinal solution, you should consult a doctor. He knows how to rinse with Chlorhexidine for pregnant women, and will give his practical recommendations. A single dosage for the procedure is 1 teaspoon of solution.
How to gargle with Chlorhexidine for children?
This medication can be used from 6 years of age. By this time, the child already understands how to gargle. However, the procedure must be carried out under adult supervision. If Chlorhexidine is intended for children aged 6 to 12 years, the drug must be diluted with cool boiled water in a 1:1 ratio. Those who are older can use a 0.05% solution. Single dosage – 1 teaspoon.
Features of the procedure for children
Chlorhexidine is an indispensable remedy for rinsing children. Note that for children, as well as for adults, the minimum concentration of the solution will remain 0.05%. There is no point in reducing it, otherwise to get the effect you will have to increase the exposure time of the product.
The instructions for the drug tell us that young age in itself is not a contraindication for use. However, parents should be aware that the solution tastes bitter and during the procedure can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
Most guys tolerate this procedure calmly. Another part of children is sensitive to the described unpleasant effects.
The frequency of rinsing is the same as for adults - two to three times a day. The oropharynx should also be treated with a solution of 0.05% concentration for half a minute. The parent needs to ensure that the child does not accidentally swallow the product during the procedure. To prevent this from happening, you can replace gargling for young children with treating the throat with Chlorhexidine in the form of a spray.
Rinse during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the use of chlorhexidine bigluconate is not recommended, as is the use of other medications. In cases of emergency and when other means do not help cope with the disease, the use of Chlorhexidine is permissible at a dosage of 0.05% and does not require dilution. The solution is used according to the general scheme recommended for treatment by a specialist.
The use of Chlorhexidine during pregnancy is the first remedy to combat the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis (thrush), as well as to combat the pathogens of syphilis and ureaplasmosis.
During the treatment process, the pregnant woman’s condition is significantly alleviated, and the absence of a negative effect on the development of the fetus has been proven. In addition, during pregnancy, women may be prescribed Chlorhexidine solution in the following cases:
- various sexually transmitted infections (trichomoniasis, herpes, mycoplasma, chlamydia, syphilis);
- inflammatory processes in the vagina of various etiologies;
- treatment of the birth canal before and after labor;
- treatment of sutures after operations;
- infectious diseases of the nasopharynx;
- washing of festering wounds and dermatitis of various etiologies.
The drug can only be used topically. During pregnancy, only irrigation or applications with a solution are used. For women with genital infections, it is convenient to use the drug in the form of suppositories, because the use of douching is unacceptable.
Rinse instructions for children
Parents now know how to dilute Chlorhexidine to rinse their child. Then it is important to follow a certain sequence of actions for greater effectiveness of the procedure:
- Do I need to dilute Chlorhexidine for rinsing? If this is a ready-made 0.05% solution, then no. If the drug is of higher concentration, then it is diluted with water in the proportions indicated above.
- Pour out 15 ml of solution. For convenience, you can use a measuring cup. A tablespoon can replace it if you know its volume.
- The child should gargle with the product by tilting his head back slightly and looking upward. While exhaling, he pronounces any vowel sound. Be sure to show your child how this is done. If the baby is too small, then it is better to refuse rinsing - he can easily choke.
- The procedure, as for adults, lasts 30 seconds.
- The solution must be spit out completely.
After the procedure, it is not recommended to drink or eat for two hours. It is best to rinse in the morning after breakfast and before going to bed in the evening.
What happens if you swallow chlorhexidine: consequences
No matter how hard you try, some small percentage of the solution still ends up in our stomach. We have already figured out that the main task of chlorhexidine is to destroy germs and bacteria. And here we come to the main problem that swallowed liquid can cause.
- Disturbance of intestinal microflora. Subsequently, food poisoning or indigestion may occur. The fact is that chlorhexidine destroys not only harmful microbes, but also beneficial ones. Yes, exactly those that we need for normal digestion.
- If a small amount of a non-concentrated solution is absorbed, the medicine will be excreted along with the feces (90%). The rest is excreted by the kidneys. After all, it is not digested in our stomach.
Necessary actions:
- You need to drink plenty of water to flush your stomach. This needs to be done quickly and as soon as possible.
- If the amount is small, you can skip this step.
- Then you need to drink activated carbon (1 tablet per 10 kg of weight).
- Be sure to tell your doctor about what happened.
- And the main thing is to drink plenty of fluids.
Are rinses allowed for pregnant women?
Pregnancy is not a contraindication for using Chlorhexidine solution when gargling. This substance is not absorbed by the mother's mucous membranes.
Accidental ingestion of the solution by a woman is not dangerous for the fetus. Systemic absorption in this case will be so small that it will not have a negative effect on the child.
Gargling with Chlorhexidine: reviews
{banner_banstat9}
As a budget gargle, the product in question receives positive reviews. Consumers highlight the following advantages of the drug:
- effective to the same extent as other more expensive antiseptics;
- available - available in any pharmacy, low price.
At the same time, patients who have high demands on the quality of medicines (taste characteristics, minimal side effects) prefer more expensive analogues, motivating their decision by such negative aspects of using the drug as:
- bitter taste;
- burning;
- consumers with hypersensitivity note in their reviews that Chlorhexidine, when gargling, causes nausea and vomiting;
- decrease in the tone of tooth enamel (indicated in the instructions for use);
- the need to dilute the drug (highly concentrated options).
Chlorhexidine in a child's throat: reviews
The question of whether children can gargle, given the not very pleasant taste and indirect effect of the drug, worries many parents. There are no official contraindications for children. Even if the child does not know how to rinse, application or spraying can be done in other ways.
In reviews of the use of Chlorhexidine in a child's throat, options such as spraying on the inside of the cheek, on the pacifier, and lubricating the oral mucosa are noted.
But since the only advantage of the drug in question is its low price, then, all other things being equal, Chlorhexidine for the throat for children does not seem to be the right choice.
Features of use for various diseases
Most often, gargling with a solution of Chlorhexidine is indicated for sore throat. The medicine here fights a large number of pathogens. Moreover, the manual for the product notes that bacterial resistance (addiction) does not develop to it.
When treating tonsillitis, it is also recommended to gargle with the drug at least three times a day. However, treatment should not be continued for more than a week - Chlorhexidine changes the color of tooth enamel, which we will discuss later. If it is necessary to continue the course of rinsing, it is best to replace it with a similar drug.
For what throat diseases can Chlorhexidine be used?
Any disease of the mouth or throat can be accompanied by quite severe pain. Chlorhexidine solution comes to the rescue in this situation, which actively fights many infections. Irrigation or gargling is used to treat the throat.
The activity of the drug is explained by its ability to destroy pathogens at the cellular level.
Proven effectiveness of the drug is observed when using the solution for the following diseases:
- course of ENT diseases in acute or chronic form (tracheitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis);
- inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils of various etiologies;
- treatment of influenza, acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory diseases;
- tonsillitis in acute or chronic form;
- in the treatment of nicotine effects in smokers.
Treatment of diseases must be carried out in combination with other medications prescribed by a doctor.
Mouth rinse
Chlorhexidine solution is effective not only for curing diseases affecting the oropharynx. It is also used for therapy and prevention of infectious diseases of the gums and oral cavity. This is a good antiseptic and wound healing agent after surgical operations in this location. The procedure will significantly improve a person’s condition with infectious lesions of the oral mucosa - gingivitis, stomatitis, etc.
Moreover, rinsing the mouth with Chlorhexidine is also very useful for throat diseases. After all, a huge number of bacteria enter the pharynx from the oral cavity.
How to dilute Chlorhexidine for mouth rinse? In the same proportions as for the throat. The optimal concentration would be 0.05%. However, if the procedure does not bring the desired effect, then when rinsing the mouth, you can increase the concentration of the solution to 0.2%.
How to dilute Chlorhexidine to rinse gums? The instructions for the procedure will be similar to those described above.
What is Chlorhexidine used for?
An aqueous solution is prescribed to be taken in the following cases:
- cervical erosion;
- for the prevention of syphilis, genital herpes and other vaginal diseases;
- disinfection of dentures, disinfection of wounds;
- various diseases of the oral cavity.
An alcohol solution is used to treat hands and medical devices before surgery. The solution is also used to treat the working surface of medical equipment.
Vaginal suppositories are effective for the following conditions:
- in order to prevent infections that can be transmitted as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse;
- bacterial vaginosis;
- prevention of inflammation and infections before surgery, childbirth or abortion.
Side effects
Now you are familiar with the instructions for using “Chlorhexidine” for rinsing. You also need to know about some unpleasant effects of the drug:
- Darkening of tooth enamel. Note that the effect is temporary, but can deprive the smile of its aesthetic appeal for some time.
- The appearance of deposits on tooth enamel. Such a negative effect can only be achieved with frequent systemic use of rinses.
The use of the drug does not have a serious negative impact on human health and life. Cases of side effects are so unlikely that they are not even described in the instructions for Chlorhexidine. This is what made it the most common antiseptic.
Possible complications
In case of long-term use of mouth rinse, it is possible to observe negative consequences, which can be in the form of headache, drowsiness, sleep disturbance and anxiety, unquenchable thirst and a feeling of dry mouth.
Darkening of the enamel may appear on the teeth, which does not go away after brushing. In the intervals between doses, an unpleasant taste may appear in the mouth, which characterizes the taste of the solution itself.
You can avoid the appearance of unpleasant symptoms by following the recommendations for use, and the course should not last more than one to a maximum of two weeks.
If all recommendations are followed, chlorhexidine actively copes with diseases. However, you need to remember that this is not a universal remedy for all diseases, so its use is recommended in combination with other medications.
Analogues of the drug
Chlorhexidine digluconate is an active ingredient not only of the drug of the same name. It is also part of similar medications (in terms of concentration, effectiveness, dosage, etc.), but produced under a different name. Complete analogues of “Chlorhexidine” in composition are “Amident” (0.15% con (0.005% concentration).
Also in pharmacies you can find analogues of “Chlorgesidine” for antiseptic properties. The composition and active substances of these drugs will be different. Let's briefly introduce them:
- Hydrogen peroxide. There have been no comparative clinical studies of Chlorhexidine and peroxide. However, practical experience shows that chlorhexidine bigluconate still copes better with ARVI pathogens when rinsing. However, hydrogen peroxide is more effective for purulent inflammation. It can also be used for hygienic rinsing in case of sore throat. An important detail is that it does not darken tooth enamel, unlike Chlorhexidine.
- "Furacilin". A well-known, inexpensive and effective antiseptic. Widely used both at home and in medical institutions. Available in several forms - alcohol and aqueous solutions, tablets. The active ingredient of this drug is nitrofural. It has both fungicidal properties (fights fungal microorganisms) and bactericidal properties (fights bacterial microorganisms). It is also good as a rinse solution.
- "Miramistin". Unlike all the drugs mentioned above, this one is not a traditional, but an innovative antiseptic. Many of the best means for gargling and mouthwash. This is confirmed by the antimicrobial characteristics of the drug. It is also impossible not to note its following advantages: it is odorless and tasteless, does not cause irritation of the mucous membrane or any unpleasant effects. But there is a significant disadvantage: the cost of Miramistin is approximately higher than the price of Chlorhexidine and other described agents.
Let's summarize. “Chlorhexidine” is a highly effective budget antiseptic that fights a wide range of pathogens that cause diseases of the gums, throat, and oral cavity. Only one concentration is suitable for use - 0.05%. All others need to be diluted with water before this one. Among the negative aspects are burning, bitter taste, temporary darkening of tooth enamel (with long-term use). In hypersensitive people, rinsing with Chlorhexidine may cause nausea and vomiting.
When is it used in childhood?
According to the instructions for use of the drug, Chlorhexidine can be used in childhood, but with caution.
Diseases of the throat and nose
In the practice of ENT doctors, chlorhexidine is quite in demand. The drug is used for pain and inflammation in the throat, including purulent lesions. It is effective for sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
The medicine is prescribed to children for the following procedures:
- Gargling. This procedure is especially often prescribed when a child develops a sore throat. Chlorhexidine reaches infected areas and affects them, despite the presence of pus, so this drug is also effective for purulent tonsillitis.
- Irrigation of the throat. To perform it, the child’s head is tilted face down over the sink, chlorhexidine is drawn into a syringe or into a syringe without a needle, then the neck is irrigated for thirty seconds so that the medicine gets onto the mucous membrane and then poured into the washbasin.
- Nasal rinsing. Chlorhexidine helps to quickly cure some types of runny nose and is safe for the nose, but is rarely used at home for rinsing. Parents prefer to resort to more proven means - saline solution and miramistin.
- Inhalations. The medicine is added to the nebulizer for procedures for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
Dental diseases
Chlorhexidine is prescribed to children who have developed stomatitis (especially aphthous), since the drug reduces swelling and helps relieve inflammation in the oral cavity. Also, rinses and irrigations can be prescribed by the dentist for gum diseases (periodontitis, gingivitis) and for treating the oral cavity after tooth extraction.
External use
Chlorhexidine, due to its antiseptic and antibacterial effects, has long shown its effectiveness against lesions of the skin and mucous membranes:
- Chlorhexidine is used to treat wounds on a child's skin (abrasions, cuts, burns) to reduce or prevent inflammation and infection by bacteria.
- The drug is often prescribed for rinsing the earlobes after they are pierced.
- For diaper rash in babies, this drug is not prescribed due to age restrictions on its use.
- Is it possible to gargle with chlorhexidine for a sore throat?
Precautions and side effects
When treating a child's throat with Chlorhexidine, the rules and dosage must be followed. It is not recommended to use simultaneously with Lugol, iodine. The effectiveness of therapy is achieved only with complex treatment.
If allergies occur (itching, rashes), the drug should be discontinued. Long-term use can cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth, headaches, sleep problems, darkening of the enamel, and the development of tartar. If your baby swallows a little of the medicine, there is no need to worry, the solution will come out naturally.
Chlorhexidine: when to use
A broad-spectrum antiseptic is effective against most pathogenic bacteria: it is used in dentistry, ENT practice and gynecology. Typically the concentration of the solution does not exceed 0.5%. After treatment, it remains on the skin in an amount sufficient to exhibit a bactericidal effect.
Among the main indications:
- inflammatory gum disease, periodontitis;
- inflammation of the socket of an extracted tooth;
- treatment of ENT diseases: pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media;
- sore throat, tonsillitis, stomatitis;
- runny nose, nasal congestion;
- treatment of acne (as part of therapy);
- disinfection of teeth and dentures;
- burns, wounds, abrasions, scratches;
- gynecological indications;
- cleaning the hands of medical staff and disinfecting operating surfaces;
- skin care after cosmetic procedures: piercing, tattooing, depilation;
- protection from germs in public places, in nature;
- disinfection of premises against COVID-19.
Chlorhexidine: for face
The drug fights the appearance of acne, reduces inflammation, cleanses the face of impurities, and disinfects wounds after comedones and acne. It is recommended to apply the product pointwise; if itching or redness occurs, stop use.
Dermatologists do not recommend using the drug on an ongoing basis: the lipid balance of the skin is disrupted, which provokes new inflammation.
Before use, it is advisable to consult a cosmetologist or dermatologist.
shutterstock.com
Composition of Chlorhexidine
The composition of the drug is 0.05% solution
Chlorhexidine bigluconate includes 0.5 mg
of chlorhexidine bigluconate
, additional substances.
The composition of the drug is 20% solution
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate includes 0.2 g of active substance, additional substances.
Release form
INN: Chlorhexidine
The form of release of the product is as follows. The drug is available in the form of a 0.05% solution for external use. In a polymer bottle with a nozzle, as well as in glass bottles of 100 ml, 1 bottle in a cardboard package.
A 20% solution of the drug is sold in polymer bottles with a cap, 100 ml, 500 ml.
Suppositories and gel are also produced (it contains lidocaine
), cream, ointment, spray with a similar active ingredient.
pharmachologic effect
An aqueous solution of Chlorhexidine Bigluconate has a local antiseptic effect, predominantly bactericidal. The product is a dichlorine-containing biguanide
. It affects the body by changing the properties of the cell membrane of microorganisms. The cations that are formed due to the dissociation of chlorhexidine salts react with the bacterial membranes, which have a negative charge. The effect of the drug promotes the destruction of the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterium. Its balance is disrupted, and the bacterium eventually dies.
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate solution 0.05%, gluconate 20% effectively destroys a number of strains of microorganisms. This is Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
Trichomonas vaginalis
,
Bacteroides fragilis
,
Chlamidia spp
.,
Gardnerella vaginalis
,
Treponema pallidum
.
The drug is also active against Ureaplasma spp
., and also has a moderate active effect against individual strains of
Proteus spp.
and
Pseudomonas spp
.
Viruses demonstrate resistance to the drug (with the exception of the herpes
), fungal spores.
If a rinse with Chlorhexidinum is used to wash hands, or the skin is treated with the drug, Chlorhexidine Bigluconate has a long-term antibacterial effect. Therefore, the drug can be used to treat the surgeon’s hands and the surgical field.
The product retains its antimicrobial activity in the presence of pus, blood, etc., but a decrease in its effectiveness is noted.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
When applied topically, Chlorhexidine is not absorbed into the bloodstream and has no systemic effect.
Indications for use
What the antiseptic is used for can be found in the detailed instructions for the drug. It is widely used to treat diseases that are caused by microorganisms sensitive to the influence of Chlorhexidine, and for their prevention.
The medicine is used to treat certain diseases depending on the concentration of the solution.
A solution of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% is widely used to prevent infectious diseases after surgical interventions. The use of such solutions in dentistry is practiced in order to process dentures. Dentists determine how to use Chlorhexidine in dentistry during various procedures, and also use it for stomatitis.
,
periodontitis
for rinsing gums.
Skin treatment is practiced in urology (if penetration into the urethra, etc.), surgery, and gynecology before and after surgery to prevent infection. The use of the product in gynecology is practiced for the purpose of disinfecting mucous membranes and skin before carrying out a series of manipulations. How to use the solution depends on the type of procedure or manipulation.
In gynecology, Chlorhexidine is also used for thrush. To get rid of thrush, a woman is recommended to douche according to a special scheme.
Chlorhexidine is used in the treatment of many dermatological diseases of both bacterial and fungal origin. The use of the drug is also indicated in the presence of purulent wounds, diseases of the mucous membranes provoked by microorganisms sensitive to the active substance of the drug.
What Chlorhexidine is is known to those who have been seriously injured. The product is often used to treat wounds and damaged skin to prevent infection. What it is, and whether it is worth using the product in a particular case, is determined by the doctor.
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate solution is used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases - genital herpes
,
chlamydia
,
trichomoniasis
,
syphilis
,
gonorrhea
.
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate solution 0.5%
used to treat damage to mucous membranes and skin, as well as for the treatment of medical instruments (the solution temperature should be 70 degrees Celsius).
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate solution 1%
used to prevent infection of burns and wounds, for disinfection before operations, as well as for treating instruments and devices that cannot be subjected to heat treatment.
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate solution 5% and 20%
used in the preparation of solutions based on water, glycerin or alcohol.
Contraindications
The following contraindications to the use of this product are noted:
· High sensitivity to the components of the product.
· Not used to treat patients suffering from dermatitis
.
· Do not use at the same time with other antiseptics (this is hydrogen peroxide
and etc.).
· It is not advisable to use it for disinfection of the surgical field before surgery or after interventions on the central nervous system and auditory canal.
· Not used in ophthalmology (the answer to the question whether it is possible to wash the eyes with this product is negative, since in ophthalmology only a specially prepared solution is used).
· For the treatment of children, use with caution.
Side effects
When using Chlorhexidine Bigluconate during treatment, the following side effects were observed in some patients:
· dry skin;
· itchy skin
;
· appearance of a rash;
· dermatitis
;
· photosensitivity.
With prolonged use of mouth rinses and mouthwashes, taste sensations may change and tartar
, there is a change in the color of the teeth.
Instructions for use Chlorhexidine Bigluconate (Method and dosage)
The instructions for Chlorhexidine stipulate that aqueous and alcoholic solutions of Chlorhexidine are used for the local treatment of infectious diseases.
Instructions for use of Chlorhexidine Bigluconate for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases are as follows. A 0.05% solution is used no more than two hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. For men, 2-3 ml of the product is injected into the urinary canal, for women, 1-2 ml is injected into the urinary canal and another 5-10 ml into the vagina (like douching in gynecology). It is also advisable to treat the skin near the genitals with the solution. The instructions on how to use the drug in this case contain a warning that urination should be done no earlier than 2 hours after using the drug. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the action decreases.
For prevention in this case, suppositories with Chlorhexidine Bigluconate can also be used.
How to do Chlorhexidine douching for thrush
and other gynecological diseases, and whether it is possible to douche when certain symptoms appear, you should definitely check with your gynecologist first. For douching, a ready-made solution of 0.05% is used, which does not require additional dilution. Before douching, you need to lie down horizontally and, after squeezing a few drops of the product from the bottle into the vagina, lie down for a few minutes. If allergic reactions develop, such procedures should not be performed.
The method of using Chlorhexidine for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract is as follows: 2-3 ml of 0.05% is injected into the urinary canal once or twice a day. The course of treatment lasts 10 days. This method of application is practiced in men and women.
To treat burns, wounds and other skin injuries, a solution of the drug 0.05%, 0.02% or 0.5% is used. It is used for irrigation or applications. The application is left for a period of 1 to 3 minutes. A spray with a similar active ingredient can also be used.
If it is necessary to disinfect the skin before surgery, use a 20% solution of Chlorhexidine digluconate, which is diluted with 70% ethyl alcohol (1 part of a 20% solution of Chlorhexidine digluconate and 40 parts of 70% alcohol). The surgical field is treated twice with an interval of 2 minutes.
In ENT practice, Chlorhexidine is used for sore throat
,
pharyngitis
,
tonsillitis
. If you have a sore throat, you should gargle with a solution of 0.2% or 0.5%.
Before using Chlorhexidine gargle
, it is recommended to rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Next, gargling for a sore throat is carried out as follows: you should take 10–15 ml (about a tablespoon) of the solution, which can be used to gargle for about 30 seconds. You can repeat these steps one more time. After rinsing, it is advisable not to take food or liquid for 1 hour. The doctor will tell you how to gargle with Chlorhexidine, as well as how many times a day you need to perform this procedure for the throat, taking into account the patient’s individual symptoms. You should also ask the specialist whether it is possible to gargle with Chlorhexidine if the patient notices side effects.
It should be noted that if rinsing your mouth with Chlorhexidine causes a burning sensation, then most likely the solution is too concentrated. The highest permissible concentration is no more than 0.5%. You must first study the instructions on how to dilute the medicine for mouth rinsing. After teeth extraction, rinse your mouth three times a day for 1 minute. Is it possible to rinse your mouth more often and how to rinse your mouth if complications are noted after tooth extraction, you need to find out from a specialist.
Chlorhexidine solution should not be swallowed while rinsing; if the solution accidentally gets into the stomach, you need to drink activated carbon tablets (1 tablet per 10 kg of person’s weight).
Nasal rinsing for sinusitis
This drug should not be practiced on its own. Whether it is possible to rinse the nose is determined solely by the doctor. A solution taken into the nose can enter the cavity of the inner ear or onto the lining of the brain, which is fraught with the development of serious complications.
Overdose
According to the instructions, an overdose of the drug is impossible. If the drug is swallowed, gastric lavage
, use of
activated carbon
, symptomatic treatment.
Interaction
If the pH of the medium exceeds 8, a precipitate forms. If hard water was used when preparing the solution, its bactericidal effect is reduced.
Does not combine with anionic compounds, in particular soap.
Does not mix with chlorides
,
carbonates
,
phosphates
,
sulfates, borates
,
citrates
.
of neomycin increases
,
kanamycin
,
chloramphenicol
,
cephalosporin
.
Ethyl alcohol enhances the bactericidal effect.
Terms of sale
Sold in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
Storage conditions
The drug should be stored in a dark, dry place, storage temperature - from 1 to 25 degrees Celsius.
Best before date
Solution 0.05%
can be stored for 2 years.
Solution 20%
can be stored for 3 years.
Prepared solutions can be stored for 1 week.
special instructions
The solution remains active in the presence of blood and organic substances. Contact of the drug with the eyes, membranes of the brain and the auditory nerve should be prevented.
In people with open TBI
, damaged spinal cord,
perforation of the eardrum,
it is necessary to avoid getting the product on the surface of the brain, meninges, and also into the tympanic cavity.
If the drug gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately.
It is not recommended to mix with other detergents and disinfectants.
If clothing has been in contact with the product, do not expose it to hypochlorites.
, producing active chlorine.
Analogs
Analogs of Chlorhexidine Bigluconate are drugs that contain a similar active substance. Analogues are available in the form of different dosage forms - gels, solutions, ointments, suppositories. This is Hexicon
,
Hexicon D
(for children),
Hibiscrub
,
Amident
, etc.
Other antiseptics, such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide, can also be used.
Which is better: Chlorhexidine or Miramistin
?
Many people are convinced that Miramistin
and Chlorhexidine are the same thing. In fact, these drugs do belong to the same class of antiseptics. What is the difference between Chlorhexidine and Miramistin is in the active substances contained in the preparations. Miramistin is not a complete analogue of Chlorhexidine. It has a pronounced antifungal and antiviral effect. Therefore, there are some differences in the indications for use of this drug. Miramistin is not contraindicated for people suffering from dermatitis.
Synonyms
Hexicon.
For children
For the treatment of children, the drug is used with caution and only after a doctor’s prescription.
During pregnancy and lactation
Chlorhexidine can be used topically during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, despite the fact that pregnancy is not a contraindication to the use of the drug, prolonged use of the solution is not recommended.
Gargling during pregnancy is possible only under the supervision of a doctor.
