FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent used in oral rinses to treat gingivitis and in topical solutions for surgical hand scrubbing, skin preparation, and wound cleansing.

Brand names E-Z ScrubSupremeTru-Blu C-Hex 110Tru-Blu Chlor Hex-WashParoex +11 more
Drug class ⓘ Decreased Cell Wall Integrity
Rx/OTC Forms 5 Routes Topical · Oral · Dental · Buccal +2
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 71 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveNov 6, 2023
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ71
AvailabilityRx/OTC
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1976
FDA-listed product records ⓘ347
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 18, 2026
⭐ Chlorhexidine at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Chlorhexidine oral rinses are an effective add-on tool for treating gingivitis when used alongside regular dental care — they are not a substitute for professional cleanings or treatment of deeper gum disease. Topical chlorhexidine products serve a different purpose: reducing bacteria on the skin before surgery or for wound cleansing. Whichever form you use, follow the directions carefully, watch for signs of allergic reactions, and keep your regular dental appointments.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Chlorhexidine: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Chlorhexidine — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Chlorhexidine is used across two main categories depending on the product form: oral care and topical skin antisepsis.

  • Gingivitis treatment (oral rinses): Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse 0.12% — sold as Peridex, Paroex, PerioGard Alcohol Free, NUPRO Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Sky Oral Rinse, Major Oral Rinse, Acclean, DASH, and others — is indicated for use between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis (redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums).
  • Surgical hand scrub: Topical solutions such as Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Antiseptic Solution, Bactoshield CHG, and Cardinal Health significantly reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands and forearms before surgery or patient care.
  • Healthcare personnel handwash: Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Antiseptic Solution, Bactoshield CHG, and Cardinal Health are used to help reduce bacteria that can potentially cause disease.
  • Patient preoperative skin preparation: Bactoshield CHG and Cardinal Health are used to prepare a patient's skin before surgery.
  • Skin wound and general skin cleansing: Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Antiseptic Solution, Bactoshield CHG, Cardinal Health, and others are used for skin wound care and general cleansing.
⚙️How it works▾

Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent — it kills or suppresses the bacteria responsible for gum inflammation and infection. When used as an oral rinse, about 30% of the active ingredient clings to surfaces in the mouth after you spit out the rinse, and it keeps releasing slowly into your saliva. This prolonged contact gives it ongoing antibacterial activity between uses.

Studies show that six months of use with the oral rinse can reduce bacteria counts in dental plaque by 54–97%, covering both aerobic (oxygen-using) and anaerobic (non-oxygen-using) bacteria. Importantly, three months after stopping the rinse, bacterial levels and resistance returned to where they started — meaning this is an ongoing treatment, not a permanent fix.

💊How it's taken▾

How you use chlorhexidine depends entirely on the product form. Oral rinses are swished in the mouth and then spit out — never swallowed. They are used between dental visits as part of a professional dental program, and your dentist will tell you how often to use it. Topical solutions for the skin are applied externally only and are never used in or around the mouth as a rinse.

  • Oral rinses: used between dental visits; follow your dentist's instructions for timing and frequency
  • Topical solutions: applied to hands or skin for specific purposes (surgical scrub, wound cleaning) following product-specific directions

Always follow your prescriber's or dentist's instructions and read the directions on your specific product. Do not switch between products without guidance.

🤒Side effects — in detail▾

The most common side effects come from the oral rinse products.

  • Staining of teeth and other surfaces in the mouth
  • Increased tartar (calculus) buildup
  • Changes in taste perception
  • Mouth irritation, ulcers, or sores
  • Dry mouth
  • Numbness or tingling in the mouth (hypesthesia or paresthesia)
  • Swelling or inflammation of the salivary glands (sialadenitis)
  • Minor peeling of the inner lining of the mouth (superficial desquamation)

Serious reactions are rare but real: anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) has been reported. Stop use immediately and get emergency help if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a severe rash.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Serious allergic reactions: Anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions have been reported with chlorhexidine dental products. Anyone with a known allergy to chlorhexidine gluconate must not use these products.
  • Tartar buildup: Regular use of the oral rinse can increase tartar (supragingival calculus) on teeth. Professional dental cleanings are needed at least every six months.
  • Not proven for periodontitis: The oral rinse has not been shown to treat periodontitis (deeper gum disease). If you have both gingivitis and periodontitis, talk to your dentist about the right approach.
  • Not tested in ANUG: Chlorhexidine oral rinse has not been studied in patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (a severe form of gum infection), so it should not be assumed to be appropriate for that condition.
  • Children and infants: Topical solutions should be used with extra care in premature infants or infants under 2 months of age — they may cause irritation or chemical burns.
🔀What it interacts with▾

The FDA label evidence for chlorhexidine does not describe specific drug or food interactions.

    This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

    📋Before taking it▾
    • Do not use if you have a known allergy to chlorhexidine gluconate or any other ingredient in the product
    • Tell your dentist if you have periodontitis (deeper gum disease) in addition to gingivitis — the rinse's effect on periodontitis has not been established
    • Topical products should be used with extra caution in premature infants or those under 2 months of age due to the risk of skin irritation or chemical burns
    • Keep up with regular professional dental cleanings (at least every six months) to manage the increased tartar buildup that can occur with oral rinse use
    🚑If you take too much▾

    Swallowing a small amount of the 0.12% oral rinse is unlikely to cause serious harm in adults, but a small child (around 10 kg, or about 22 lbs) who swallows 1–2 ounces could develop stomach upset, nausea, or signs of alcohol intoxication. If a child swallows more than 4 ounces of the oral rinse, or shows signs of alcohol intoxication, seek medical attention right away.

    📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾

    Chlorhexidine reduces the number of bacteria in dental plaque — both aerobic (oxygen-needing) and anaerobic (non-oxygen-needing) types. Studies have shown bacterial count reductions of 54–97% after six months of use with the 0.12% oral rinse. Six months of use did not lead to significant bacterial resistance, overgrowth of opportunistic organisms, or other harmful shifts in the mouth's microbial environment.

    🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

    When used as an oral rinse, about 30% of the chlorhexidine stays in the mouth after spitting and is slowly released into saliva over time. Very little is absorbed into the body from the gut — it is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. When it is ingested, peak blood levels are low and disappear within 12 hours. About 90% of any ingested chlorhexidine is eliminated through the feces, with less than 1% appearing in the urine.

    📦How to store it▾

    store at 20-25°C (68-77°F) avoid excessive heat above 40°C (104°F) Other information store at 20-25°C (68-77°F) avoid excessive heat above 40°C (104°F)

    📄 Written from Chlorhexidine’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

    🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

    Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Chlorhexidine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

    What exactly is chlorhexidine rinse for — is it just like a regular mouthwash? ▾
    It's actually a prescription-strength antimicrobial rinse, which is different from over-the-counter mouthwash. Your dentist prescribes it specifically to treat gingivitis — that's when your gums are red, swollen, or bleed when probed. It's meant to be used between dental visits as part of an overall treatment plan, not as a substitute for professional cleanings. It won't replace your regular checkups.
    My teeth look like they're staining — is that from the rinse? ▾
    Yes, tooth and surface staining is one of the most common side effects of chlorhexidine oral rinse. It can also increase tartar buildup on your teeth. The good news is that this is manageable — your dentist or hygienist can address it at your regular cleanings. That's one reason it's important to keep those appointments at least every six months while you're using this rinse.
    Things taste different since I started using it — is that normal? ▾
    Yes, a change in taste is a known and fairly common side effect of chlorhexidine oral rinse. It can make food or drinks taste different or less pleasant. This usually improves over time or after you finish the course of treatment. If it's really bothering you, let your dentist know — they can advise whether to adjust how or when you use it.
    Can I swallow the rinse? ▾
    No — you should always spit it out after rinsing. The rinse is not meant to be swallowed. A small amount accidentally swallowed by an adult is unlikely to cause serious harm, but a young child who swallows more than a couple of ounces could feel sick or show signs of intoxication. Keep the bottle out of reach of children, and if a child does swallow a significant amount, call for medical help right away.
    Are there any serious reactions I should watch for? ▾
    Yes — though they're rare, serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported with chlorhexidine dental products. Signs to watch for include difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, or a severe rash. If any of those happen, stop using the rinse immediately and get emergency help. Also let your dentist know right away if you notice swelling around your jaw or neck area, which could signal inflammation of the salivary glands.
    I also have periodontitis — will this rinse help with that too? ▾
    The rinse is specifically approved for gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. It has not been tested or proven to treat periodontitis, which is a deeper form of gum disease affecting the bone and tissue that support your teeth. Make sure your dentist knows you have both conditions so they can put together the right treatment plan for you — the rinse is a helpful add-on, but it's not the whole answer for periodontitis.
    Is Chlorhexidine available over the counter? ▾
    Both — Chlorhexidine is sold both over the counter and by prescription, according to its FDA labeling. Lower strengths or certain forms are often available without a prescription, while higher strengths or specialized forms still require one. Ask your pharmacist which version is right for you.
    When was Chlorhexidine first available? ▾
    Chlorhexidine has been available in the United States since at least 1976, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
    Who makes Chlorhexidine? ▾
    Chlorhexidine is supplied by 88 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Xttrium Laboratories, Inc., AVA, Inc., Ecolab Inc..

    💬 Answers drafted from Chlorhexidine’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

    🧰 Keep exploring

    🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerChlorhexidine vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Chlorhexidine NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

    💊 How Chlorhexidine comes

    Chlorhexidine is available in 5 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

    Topical solution

    Dental · On the skin
    Brands Scrub-Stat
    How this form is used
    What it may be used for
    • Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Antiseptic Solution, and Bactoshield CHG are used as a surgical hand scrub to significantly reduce bacteria on hands and forearms before surgery or patient care
    • Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Antiseptic Solution, Bactoshield CHG, and Cardinal Health are used as a healthcare personnel handwash to help reduce bacteria that can cause disease
    • Bactoshield CHG and Cardinal Health are used as a patient preoperative skin preparation before surgery
    • Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Antiseptic Solution, Bactoshield CHG, and Cardinal Health are used for skin wound and general skin cleansing
    Important instructions
    • Bactoshield CHG surgical hand scrub: wet hands and forearms, scrub for 1.5 minutes with product, rinse, then repeat for an additional 1.5 minutes, and dry thoroughly
    • Cardinal Health and Antiseptic Solution surgical hand scrub: scrub hands and forearms for 3 minutes with product and a wet brush, rinse, repeat for 3 more minutes, then dry thoroughly
    • Bactoshield CHG and Cardinal Health patient preoperative skin prep: apply liberally to the surgical site, swab for at least 2 minutes, dry with a sterile towel, then repeat
    • Use with extra care in premature infants or infants under 2 months of age — these products may cause irritation or chemical burns
    Available strengths 12 strengths
    0.75 mg/100 mL 1.2 mg/mL 2 mg/100 mL 4 mg/100 mL 0.012 g/mL 20 mg/mL
    Show 6 more strengths Show fewer strengths
    40 mg/mL 2 g/100 mL 4 g/100 mL 8 g/100 mL 40 g/1000 mL 213 g/1000 mL
    209 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

    Mouth rinse

    By mouth
    Brands Paroex Peridex
    How this form is used
    What it may be used for
    • Peridex is used between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis — redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums
    • NUPRO Chlorhexidine Gluconate oral rinse is used between dental visits to treat gingivitis as part of a professional dental program
    • Paroex, Sky Oral Rinse, and Major Oral Rinse are used between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis
    Important instructions
    • Use between dental visits as directed by your dentist — this is part of a broader professional program
    • Do not swallow the rinse; spit it out after use
    • Continue regular dental cleanings at least every six months to manage tartar buildup
    • Do not use if you are allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or other ingredients in the formula
    Available strengths 1 strength
    1.2 mg/mL
    66 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

    Oral solution

    By mouth
    Brands Acclean Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse Chlorhexidine Gluconate Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse DASH Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse
    How this form is used
    What it may be used for
    • Acclean Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse is used between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis
    • DASH Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse is used between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis — redness, swelling, and gum bleeding
    Important instructions
    • Use as directed by your dentist between scheduled dental visits
    • Spit out after rinsing — do not swallow
    • Patients with coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis should follow their dentist's specific precautions
    Available strengths 13 strengths
    0.12 mg/mL 1 mg/100 mL 1.2 mg/mL 20 mg/20 mg 20 mg/mL 1 g/g
    Show 7 more strengths Show fewer strengths
    1 g/mL 8 g/100 mL 20 g/20 g 1 kg/kg 200 kg/200 kg 200 kg/1000 kg 4000 kg/4000 kg
    37 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

    Buccal tablet

    Inside the cheek
    Brands Chlorhexidine Gluconate Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse Periogard Alcohol Free
    How this form is used
    What it may be used for
    • Chlorhexidine Gluconate oral rinse is used between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis — including gum redness, swelling, and bleeding
    • Periogard Alcohol Free is used between dental visits as part of a professional program to treat gingivitis characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums
    Important instructions
    • Use as part of a professional dental program — not as a standalone treatment
    • Do not use if you are allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients
    • Patients with both gingivitis and periodontitis should follow special precautions from their dentist
    Available strengths 2 strengths
    1.2 mg/mL 1.2 [IU]/mL
    10 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

    📊 Chlorhexidine across the U.S. market

    How Chlorhexidine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

    5
    Dose forms ⓘ
    88
    Manufacturers
    40
    Brand names
    347
    FDA-listed product records ⓘ
    1976
    First marketed ⓘ

    FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

    Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (8) · Kit (3) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

    Xttrium Laboratories, Inc.33%
    AVA, Inc.8%
    Ecolab Inc.5%
    Henry Schein, Inc.4%
    Medline Industries, LP3%
    Gojo Industries, Inc.3%
    Other makers44%

    Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

    📈 How widely Chlorhexidine is used

    A general measure of how commonly Chlorhexidine is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

    Think of this as a proxy for how widely Chlorhexidine is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

    1,373,852
    Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
    $14.4M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

    How commonly is Chlorhexidine prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Chlorhexidine ranks #136 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 91% of them.

    Where Chlorhexidine ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
    Total prescriptions — #136 of 1,596
    #131 Clopidogrel 1,480,259 Rx #132 Zolpidem 1,428,857 Rx #133 Glipizide 1,400,626 Rx #134 Buprenorphine Buccal (... 1,379,027 Rx #135 Buprenorphine 1,379,027 Rx #136 Chlorhexidine 1,373,852 Rx #137 Simvastatin 1,357,663 Rx #138 Tretinoin 1,345,058 Rx #139 Tretinoin Topical 1,344,781 Rx #140 Dapagliflozin 1,339,664 Rx #141 Benztropine 1,314,428 Rx

    Utilization by Chlorhexidine product

    Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

    The 1.2 mg/mL mouthwash is the most-dispensed Chlorhexidine product — about 98% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

    chlorhexidine gluconate 1.2 MG/ML Mouthwash Most dispensed

    1,352,728 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 98% of Chlorhexidine prescriptions shown $14M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $10 per prescription (gross)

    Summed across the 17 of 122 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 834127

    chlorhexidine gluconate 40 MG/ML Medicated Liquid Soap

    21,124 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Chlorhexidine prescriptions shown $320,913 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $15 per prescription (gross)

    Summed across the 13 of 205 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 211365

    Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

    Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Chlorhexidine, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 30 of 327 listed Chlorhexidine NDCs with Medicaid activity.

    🔍 Compare Chlorhexidine products

    A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Chlorhexidine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

    Showing 200 of 347 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 347 Chlorhexidine NDCs →

    RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

    This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

    Ingredient (IN) Chlorhexidine RxCUI 2358 14 dose forms · 38 strengths
    1. Dose form (SCDF) Drug Implant RxCUI 668206 No current FDA listing
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 2.5 MG RxCUI 834146
    2. Dose form (SCDF) Medicated Liquid Soap RxCUI 385632 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 20 MG/ML RxCUI 1245230 gluconate 40 MG/ML RxCUI 211365
    3. Dose form (SCDF) Medicated Pad RxCUI 797743 No current FDA listing
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 1 MG/ML RxCUI 899217 gluconate 2 MG/ML RxCUI 2743367 gluconate 20 MG/ML RxCUI 846127 gluconate 30 MG/ML RxCUI 1534788 gluconate 40 MG/ML RxCUI 2677515
    4. Dose form (SCDF) Medicated Shampoo RxCUI 1092601 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 10 MG/ML RxCUI 1245392 gluconate 20 MG/ML RxCUI 2003745 gluconate 40 MG/ML RxCUI 1092602
    5. Dose form (SCDF) Mouthwash RxCUI 103328 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) acetate 1 MG/ML RxCUI 2611503 gluconate 1.2 MG/ML RxCUI 834127 gluconate 2 MG/ML RxCUI 834211
    6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Gel RxCUI 378085 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 0.002 MG/MG RxCUI 2590770 gluconate 0.01 MG/MG RxCUI 834295
    7. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Spray RxCUI 379320 No current FDA listing
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 1 MG/ML RxCUI 1299219 gluconate 2 MG/ML RxCUI 834210
    8. Dose form (SCDF) Otic Solution RxCUI 376348 No current FDA listing
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 1.5 MG/ML RxCUI 2568123
    9. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Cream RxCUI 377644 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 20 MG/ML RxCUI 2109438
    10. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Foam RxCUI 2611512 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) acetate 20 MG/ML RxCUI 2611513 gluconate 40 MG/ML RxCUI 2675096
    11. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Gel RxCUI 378065 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 0.0045 MG/MG RxCUI 2568669 0.04 MG/MG RxCUI 251992
    12. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 376471 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 0.02 MG/MG RxCUI 2477300
    13. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Solution RxCUI 371392 In current FDA listings
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 0.5 MG/ML RxCUI 834304 gluconate 1 MG/ML RxCUI 834309 gluconate 10 MG/ML RxCUI 1044470 gluconate 12 MG/ML RxCUI 1294257 gluconate 2 MG/ML RxCUI 1495080 gluconate 20 MG/ML RxCUI 834152 gluconate 200 MG/ML RxCUI 834206 gluconate 40 MG/ML RxCUI 2587890 gluconate 5 MG/ML RxCUI 834176
    14. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Spray RxCUI 379372 No current FDA listing
      Clinical drug / strength (SCD) gluconate 0.2 MG/ML RxCUI 834300 gluconate 12 MG/ML RxCUI 2723395 gluconate 40 MG/ML RxCUI 1300074 gluconate 5 MG/ML RxCUI 1435897

    Look up RxCUI 2358 in the RxCUI Atlas →

    RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

    🏷️ Sold under these brand names

    E-Z Scrub Supreme Tru-Blu C-Hex 110 Tru-Blu Chlor Hex-Wash Paroex Scrub-Stat Exidine Nupro Chlorhexidine Bactoshield Otodine Stomodine F Nolvadent Nolvasan Maxiclens Peridex Periogard

    🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

    Xttrium Laboratories, Inc. 92 AVA, Inc. 23 Ecolab Inc. 14 Henry Schein, Inc. 11 Medline Industries, LP 9 Gojo Industries, Inc. 9 SC Johnson Professional USA, Inc. 8 Cardinal Health 107, LLC 7 Molnlycke Health Care 6 Becton Dickinson and Company 6 Sage Products LLC 5 Atlantic Biologicals Corp. 5 Medichem S.A. 4 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 4 HR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 4 Safco Dental Supply LLC 4 CVS Pharmacy, Inc. 4 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 4 Xinxiang Xinda Technology Co.,ltd 4 A-S Medication Solutions 4 Cardinal Health 4 Chartwell RX, LLC 3 Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 Proficient Rx LP 3

    …and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

    RxNorm drug class

    Chlorhexidine belongs to the Antiinfectives and antiseptics for local oral treatment class.

    Drug family (ATC) Antiinfectives and antiseptics for local oral treatment, Antiinfectives, Biguanides and amidines

    Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

    🔬 Where this comes from

    Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

    📄
    FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Nov 6, 2023
    🏭
    Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Chlorhexidine.
    📈
    Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
    🚨
    Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
    🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Chlorhexidine after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
    Clinical labels in scope
    71
    NDC products indexed
    347
    Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
    88
    Linked representative label ⓘ
    Rite Aid Corporation
    Linked label effective
    Nov 6, 2023
    Composite sections available
    9
    Linked SPL Set ID
    12c4ced7-2ec7-3b07-e054-00144ff88e88
    Linked SPL Document ID
    098117db-ecc3-d9f3-e063-6394a90a05fc
    Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

    How we combine label and product data

    HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 71 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

    For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Rite Aid Corporation is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

    This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.