Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It helps reduce the number of germs (bacteria) in your mouth or on your skin.
It can help with:
- mouth infections, mouth ulcers and gum disease
- sore throats
- denture care
- skin infections
Chlorhexidine is usually combined with other ingredients. Some sore throat treatments have a local anaesthetic to help numb pain.
Mouth and throat treatments come as mouthwashes, lozenges, gels and sprays.
Skin treatments come as creams, ointments and lotions.
Many chlorhexidine treatments are available to buy in pharmacies, and some are available in shops and supermarkets.
For nose infections, there's a nasal cream that contains chlorhexidine and neomycin, an antibiotic. This medicine is available on prescription only and is known by the brand name Naseptin.
Chlorhexidine is also used in hospitals and clinics to clean skin or surgical equipment before surgery. It can be used in some bladder procedures, including cleaning catheters.
Key facts
- You'll usually use chlorhexidine only for short-term treatment.
- You're unlikely to have any side effects with the skin creams and lotions.
- Common side effects with the throat spray, lozenges and dental treatments include a dry mouth and stained teeth.
- When using the lozenges, spray, mouthwash or dental gel, wait at least 30 minutes before having something to eat or drink. This gives the medicine a chance to work properly.
- Do not use bleach on clothes, bedding or other fabrics that have been in contact with chlorhexidine. It will leave yellowish-brown stains.