What is chlorhexidine?

0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is an oral rinse containing (1, 1 1 -hexamethylene bis [5-(p-chlorophenyl) biguanide] di-D-gluconate) in a base containing water, 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

Can you take chlorhexidine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run chlorhexidine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is chlorhexidine sold under?

We track 10 chlorhexidine-containing products in the U.S.: Chg Scrub, Cida-Stat, Pharmaseal Scrub Care, Readyprep Chg, Bioscrub, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Dyna-Hex 2 and Hibiclens, and 2 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does chlorhexidine come in?

Across the brands we track, chlorhexidine is currently marketed as liquid, solution, sponge, cloth, rinse, topical and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic chlorhexidine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic chlorhexidine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has chlorhexidine been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions chlorhexidine. The most recent: BD ChloraPrep Clear (2% w/v chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and 70% v/v isopropyl… (May 28, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Chlorhexidine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Chlorhexidine is a medicine sold in the U.S. under 10 brand and generic names, for oral candidiasis, periodontal diseases and infectious skin diseases. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Treats: Oral Candidiasis, Periodontal Diseases and Infectious Skin Diseases
Available as: Liquid · Solution · Sponge · Cloth · Rinse · Topical · Tablet
Sold as: 10 products — Chg Scrub, Cida-Stat and Pharmaseal Scrub Care, and others
Prescription?: Both Rx and OTC forms
Generic available?: Yes

How chlorhexidine is dosed

From the FDA label for Periochip (application NDA020774). Other chlorhexidine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse therapy should be initiated directly following a dental prophylaxis. Patients 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 (marked in cap) 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 should be expectorated after rinsing.

Chlorhexidine side effects

The most common side effects associated with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinses are: 1) an increase in staining of teeth and other oral surfaces; 2) an increase in calculus formation; and 3) 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 occurred at a frequency of less than 1%. Among post marketing reports, the most frequently reported oral mucosal symptoms associated with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse are stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis, ulcer, dry mouth, hypesthesia, glossal edema, and paresthesia. Minor irritation and superficial desquamation of the oral mucosa 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.

Who shouldn’t take chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse should not be used by persons who are known to be hypersensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients.

Every chlorhexidine product we track (10)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Chlorhexidine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Chg Scrub	72/100	Over-the-counter	Liquid	—	—	View →
2	Cida-Stat	72/100	Over-the-counter	Liquid	—	—

Combination products containing chlorhexidine

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Chlorhexidine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is chlorhexidine?: 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is an oral rinse containing (1, 1 1 -hexamethylene bis [5-(p-chlorophenyl) biguanide] di-D-gluconate) in a base containing water, 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
Can you take chlorhexidine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run chlorhexidine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is chlorhexidine sold under?: We track 10 chlorhexidine-containing products in the U.S.: Chg Scrub, Cida-Stat, Pharmaseal Scrub Care, Readyprep Chg, Bioscrub, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Dyna-Hex 2 and Hibiclens, and 2 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does chlorhexidine come in?: Across the brands we track, chlorhexidine is currently marketed as liquid, solution, sponge, cloth, rinse, topical and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic chlorhexidine?: Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic chlorhexidine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has chlorhexidine been recalled?: The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions chlorhexidine. The most recent: BD ChloraPrep Clear (2% w/v chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and 70% v/v isopropyl… (May 28, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.