chlorhexidine gluconate: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm the intended site is suitable for an external skin cream and review any previous unexplained peri-procedural allergic reaction.
• Avoid ocular migration, particularly in anaesthetised patients unable to report exposure.
• Cetostearyl alcohol may cause local contact dermatitis.

Contraindications and cautions

• Known hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine or another component of the cream.
• Possible previous allergic reaction to a chlorhexidine-containing product or device.

Monitoring

• Assess for local irritation, dermatitis or treatment-site deterioration.
• Stop treatment and assess immediately if systemic hypersensitivity is suspected.
• Following ocular exposure, irrigate promptly and obtain ophthalmology advice.

Clinical pharmacology

Chlorhexidine is a cationic bisbiguanide disinfectant active against a broad range of vegetative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It disrupts microbial membrane function; systemic absorption from topical use is poor.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product is a topical cream, not an oral, mucosal or surgical skin-preparation formulation.
• It contains cetostearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, dimeticone, glycerol, quinoline yellow lake and other cream-base ingredients.
• The same authorised formulation is also named Savlon Burns & Scalds Cream in the product information.

Cream

Route: Cutaneous

Strengths: 0.25% w/w