hexetidine at a glance
Medicine class
Local oral antiseptic and antimicrobial
Usual uses
Minor mouth infections, gingivitis, sore throat, recurrent aphthous ulcers and bad breath
Administration
Shake, use undiluted as a mouth rinse or gargle, then spit out; do not swallow
Age
The selected product is intended for adults and children aged 12 years and over
What is hexetidine used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Minor mouth infections, including oral thrush
Helping to prevent and treat gingivitis
Managing sore throat and recurrent aphthous ulcers
Relieving halitosis
Use around dental surgery
How does hexetidine work?
Hexetidine acts locally against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and fungi, including Candida albicans. It adheres to oral tissues and dental plaque, helping its action persist after rinsing.
How to take hexetidine
Use only in the mouth or throat. Follow the product leaflet or a healthcare professional’s instructions.
Shake the bottle before use.
Use the solution undiluted.
Rinse the mouth or gargle, then spit it out.
Do not swallow.
Do not use if the bottle seal was broken when purchased.
hexetidine side effects
Get urgent medical advice
- Stop using it and seek urgent help for swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty or another severe allergic reaction.
- Other reported effects include cough, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, enlarged salivary glands, irritation, tingling, inflammation, blistering, ulceration, or tongue and tooth discolouration. Taste loss, altered taste and temporary mouth numbness have also been reported.
hexetidine in pregnancy
Formal human studies are unavailable. Because absorption is expected to be negligible, the product information considers fetal risk highly unlikely; nevertheless, check with a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber before use during pregnancy.
hexetidine while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether hexetidine enters human milk. A risk to the breastfed infant is considered unlikely because very little is expected to be absorbed, but seek professional advice if symptoms persist or repeated use is needed.
hexetidine interactions
No interactions with other medicines are known for the selected product. Tell a pharmacist or prescriber about other oral treatments if irritation occurs or you are unsure how to combine them.
Common questions about hexetidine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is hexetidine an antibiotic?
It is a local antiseptic with antimicrobial activity, not a systemic antibiotic.
Can hexetidine treat oral thrush?
The selected product is licensed for minor mouth infections, including thrush. See a GP if you think you have oral thrush so the diagnosis and treatment can be checked.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.