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chlorhexidine

File:Chlorhexidine_skeletal_formula.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ15646788· pop 40· linked from 455 articles

chlorhexidine

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Also known as N,N'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediimidamide, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-3-(6-{N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamimidamidomethanimidoyl]amino}hexyl)carbamimidamidomethanimidamide, 1,1'-hexamethylene bis[5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguanide], CHX

Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic 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.

Key facts

Drug.Watchedfields
changed
Drug.verifiedrevid
464187733
Drug.image
Chlorhexidine skeletal formula.svg
Drug.image_class
skin-invert-image
Drug.width
280
Drug.image2
Chlorhexidine ball-and-stick model from xtal 2024.png
Drug.image_class2
bg-transparent
Drug.pronounce
klɔː(r)ˈhɛksɪdiːn
Drug.tradename
Betasept, ChloraPrep, Chlorostat, others
Drug.DailyMedID
Chlorhexidine
Drug.pregnancy_AU
A
Drug.routes_of_administration
Topical
Drug.ATC_prefix
A01
Drug.ATC_suffix
AB03
Drug.ATC_supplemental
, , (dressing), , , ,
Drug.legal_AU
S5, S6, S7
Drug.legal_US
OTC
Drug.legal_US_comment
/ Rx-only

via Wikipedia infobox

Chemical data

Formula
C22H30Cl2N10
Molecular weight
505.4 g/mol
IUPAC name
2-[6-[[amino-[(E)-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]amino]methylidene]amino]hexyl]-1-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]guanidine
SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1NC(=NC(=NCCCCCCN=C(N)/N=C(\N)/NC2=CC=C(C=C2)Cl)N)N)Cl
InChIKey
GHXZTYHSJHQHIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
0.1
Polar surface area
178 Ų
H-bond donors
6
H-bond acceptors
2
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

Research

16,961 papers

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Mass
504.203
Show 6 more facts
chemical formula
C₂₂H₃₀Cl₂N₁₀
World Health Organisation international non-proprietary name
chlorhexidine
canonical SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1NC(=NC(=NCCCCCCN=C(N)N=C(N)NC2=CC=C(C=C2)Cl)N)N)Cl
isomeric SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1N/C(=N/C(=NCCCCCCN=C(/N=C(/NC2=CC=C(C=C2)Cl)\N)N)N)/N)Cl
Commons category
Chlorhexidine
defined daily dose
30
Sources (7)

via Wikidata · CC0

~8 min read

Article

12 sections
Contents
  • Uses
  • Antiseptic
  • Dental use
  • Side effects
  • Mechanism of action
  • Chemistry
  • Deactivation
  • Synthesis
  • Society and culture
  • Brands
  • Veterinary medicine
  • References

Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic 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.

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.

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