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Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Decreased Cell Wall Integrity [PE] | PE | All 26 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 077789-001 | CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE | SOLUTION | CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE | Prescription | AT |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (topical dermatological products)
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 11 | Labeling | Approved | August 8, 2023 | Standard |
| Supplement | 7 | Labeling | Approved | July 28, 2015 | Standard |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | June 18, 2009 | — |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20200323). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Recent Major Changes
openFDA Drug LabelingIndications and Usage Contraindications
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATION: Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is indicated for use between dental visits as part of a professional program for the treatment of gingivitis as characterized by redness and swelling of the gingivae, including gingival bleeding upon probing. Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse has not been tested among patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG). For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis, see PRECAUTIONS.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingChlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse therapy should be initiated directly following a dental prophylaxis. Patietents using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse should be reevaluated and given a thorough prophylaxis at intervals no longer than six months. Recommended use is twice daily rinsing for 30 seconds, morning and evening after tooth brushing. Usual dosage is 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of undiluted chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse. Patients should be instructed to not rinse with water, or other mouthwashes, brush teeth, or eat immediately after using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse. Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is not intended for ingestion and shohuld be expectorated after rinsing.
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingChlorhexidine gluconate oal rinse should not be used by persons who are known to be hypersensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients.
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingThe effect of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse on periodontitis has not been determined. An increase in supragingival calculus was noted in clinical testing in chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse users compared with control users. It is not known if chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse use results in an increase in subgingival calculus. Calculus deposits should be removed by a dental prophylaxis at intervals not greater than six months. Anaphylaxis, as well as serious allergic reactions, have been reported during postmarketing use with dental products containing chlorhexidine. SEE CONTRAINDICATIONS.
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingThe most common side effects associated with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinses are: an increase in staining of teeth and other oral surfaces; an increase in calculus formation; and an alteration in taste perception; see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS. Oral irritation and local allergy-type symptoms have been spontaneously reported as side effects associated with use of chlorhexidine gluconate rinse. The following oral mucosal side effects were reported during placebo-controlled adult clinical trials: aphthous ulcer, grossly obvious gingivitis, trauma, ulceration, erythema, desquamation, coated tongue, keratinization, geographic tongue, mucocele, and short frenum. Each occured at a frequency of less than 1% Among post marketing reports, the most frequetly reported oral mucosal symptoms assiciated with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse are stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis, ulcer, dry mouth, hypesthesia, glossal edema, and paresthesia. Minor irritation and superfical desquamation of the oral muscosa have been noted in patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse. There have been cases of parotid gland swelling and inflammation of the salivary glands (sialadenitis) reported in patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is an oral rinse containing (1 1 -hexamethylene bis [5 - (p-chlorophenyl) biguanide] di-D-gluconate) in a base containing wate, 11.6% alcohol, glycerin, PEG-40 sorbitan diisostearate, flavor, sodium saccharin, and FD&C Blue No. 1. Chlorhexidine gluconate product is a near neutral solution (pH range 5-7). Chlorhexidine gluconate is a salt of chlorhexidine and gluconic acid. Its chemical structure is: Chemical structure
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingIngestion of 1 or 2 ounces of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse by a small child (~10 kg body weight) might result in gatric distress, including nausea, or signs of alcohol intoxication. Medical attention should be sought if more than 4 ounces of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is ingested by a small child or if signs of alcohol intoxication develop.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingChlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is suppplied as a blue liquid in 4-ounce (118 mL) and 1-pint (473 mL) amber plastic bottles with child-resistant dispensing closures. NDC 0116-0101-04 / 0116-0101-01 Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [See USP controlled Room Temperature] Rx Only Manufactured for: Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. 1031 Mendota Heights Road Saint Paul, MN 55120
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61876-0030-1 | 61876-0030 | DISHMAN CARBOGEN AMCIS LIMITED | 1000 kg in 1 DRUM (61876-0030-1) | September 8, 2013 |
| 38779-2755-1 | 38779-2755 | Medisca Inc | 800 g in 1 BOTTLE (38779-2755-1) | January 19, 2018 |
| 38779-2755-5 | 38779-2755 | Medisca Inc | 20 g in 1 BOTTLE (38779-2755-5) | August 25, 2015 |
| 38779-2755-7 | 38779-2755 | Medisca Inc | 4000 g in 1 PAIL (38779-2755-7) | January 19, 2018 |
| 38779-2755-8 | 38779-2755 | Medisca Inc | 100 g in 1 BOTTLE (38779-2755-8) | January 19, 2018 |
| 38779-2755-9 | 38779-2755 | Medisca Inc | 200 g in 1 BOTTLE (38779-2755-9) | January 19, 2018 |
| 0116-0101-01 | 0116-0101 | Xttrium Laboratories, Inc. | 473 mL in 1 BOTTLE (0116-0101-01) | June 30, 2017 |
| 0116-0101-04 | 0116-0101 | Xttrium Laboratories, Inc. | 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (0116-0101-04) | January 22, 2016 |
| 61876-0030 | 61876-0030 | DISHMAN CARBOGEN AMCIS LIMITED | — | September 8, 2013 |
| 38779-2755 | 38779-2755 | Medisca Inc | — | August 25, 2015 |
| 0116-0101 | 0116-0101 | Xttrium Laboratories, Inc. | — | January 22, 2016 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.