Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic with the molecular formula C₂₂H₃₀Cl₂N₁₀, which is used for skin disinfection before surgery and to disinfect surgical instruments. It is also used for cleaning wounds, preventing dental plaque, treating yeast infections of the mouth, and to keep urinary catheters from blocking. It is used as a liquid or a powder. It is commonly used in salt form, either the gluconate or the acetate.

Chlorhexidine

Clinical data
Pronunciation	klɔː(r)ˈhɛksɪdiːn
Trade names	Betasept, ChloraPrep, Chlorostat, others
Other names	CHX, CHG, 1,6-bis(4-chloro-phenylbiguanido)hexane
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
License data	US DailyMed: Chlorhexidine
Pregnancy category	AU: A
Routes of administration	Topical
ATC code	A01AB03 (WHO) B05CA02 (WHO), D08AC02 (WHO), D09AA12 (WHO) (dressing), R02AA05 (WHO), S01AX09 (WHO), S02AA09 (WHO), S03AA04 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S5, S6, S7 US: OTC / Rx-only
Identifiers
IUPAC name N,N′′′′1,6-Hexanediylbis[N′-(4-chlorophenyl)(imidodicarbonimidic diamide)]
CAS Number	55-56-1 Y
PubChem CID	9552079
DrugBank	DB00878 Y
ChemSpider	2612 Y
UNII	R4KO0DY52L
KEGG	D07668 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:3614 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL790 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2033314
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.217
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C22H30Cl2N10
Molar mass	505.45 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Melting point	134 to 136 °C (273 to 277 °F)
Solubility in water	0.8
SMILES Clc1ccc(NC(=N)NC(=N)NCCCCCCNC(=N)NC(=N)Nc2ccc(Cl)cc2)cc1
InChI InChI=1S/C22H30Cl2N10/c23-15-5-9-17(10-6-15)31-21(27)33-19(25)29-13-3-1-2-4-14-30-20(26)34-22(28)32-18-11-7-16(24)8-12-18/h5-12H,1-4,13-14H2,(H5,25,27,29,31,33)(H5,26,28,30,32,34) Y Key:GHXZTYHSJHQHIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
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Side effects may include skin irritation, tooth discoloration, and allergic reactions, although, apart from discoloration, the risk appears to be the same as that for povidone-iodine. Chlorhexidine rinse is also known to have a bitter metallic aftertaste. Rinsing with water is not recommended as it is known to increase the bitterness. It may cause eye problems if direct contact occurs. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. Chlorhexidine may come mixed in alcohol, water, or surfactant solution. It is effective against a range of microorganisms, but does not inactivate spores.

Chlorhexidine came into medical use in the 1950s and is available over the counter in the United States. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2022, it was the 230th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.