Chlorhexidine
Class
Antiseptic
Presentation
Aqueous or combined with alcohol
Antiseptic
Substance applied topically to prevent growth of micro-organisms
Not for use on inaminate objects bc does not have the same killing power of chemicals used for disinfection
MoA
- At physiological pH
- Chlorehex salts dissociate
- Release + charge
- Cation binds -ve charge bac cell wall
- Chlorhex denatures proteins & lipids of bac = lysis
Antiviral
Poor antiviral
Antibacterial
G + > – > fungi
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Rapid onset, lasts 48hrs
- Requires 30sec scrub
- Neurotoxic
- Flammable
- Cannot be used directly on mucosa