Chlorhexidine Gluconate Rinse
FDA Label NDC 0121-1786

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, USP 0.12% is an oral rinse containing 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (1,1’-hexamethylene bis [5-(p-chlorophenyl) biguanide]di-D-gluconate) in a base containing 11.6% alcohol, FD&C Blue No. 1, glycerin, peppermint flavor, polysorbate 80, purified water, and saccharin sodium. Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse, 0.12% 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 (Chlorhex 1)

C ₂₂H₃₀Cl₂N₁₀•2C₆H₁₂O₇   M.W. 897.72

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% provides antimicrobial activity during oral rinsing. The clinical significance of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% antimicrobial activities is not clear. Microbiological sampling of plaque has shown a general reduction of counts of certain assayed bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic, ranging from 54-97% through six months use.

Use of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse in a six month clinical study did not result in any significant changes in bacteria resistance, overgrowth of potentially opportunistic organisms or other adverse changes in the oral microbial ecosystem. Three months after chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse use was discontinued, the number of bacteria in plaque had returned to baseline levels and resistance of plaque bacteria to chlorhexidine gluconate was equal to that at baseline.

Pharmacokinetic studies with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse indicate approximately 30% of the active ingredient, chlorhexidine gluconate, is retained in the oral cavity following rinsing. This retained drug is slowly released into the oral fluids. Studies conducted on human subjects and animals demonstrate chlorhexidine gluconate is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The mean plasma level of chlorhexidine gluconate reached a peak of 0.206 µg/g in humans 30 minutes after they ingested a 300 mg dose of the drug. Detectable levels of chlorhexidine gluconate were not present in the plasma of these subjects 12 hours after the compound was administered. Excretion of chlorhexidine gluconate occurred primarily through the feces (~90%). Less than 1% of the chlorhexidine gluconate ingested by these subjects was excreted in the urine.

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% is indicated for use between dental visits as part of a professional program for the treatment of gingivitis as characterized by redness and swelling of the gingivae, including gingival bleeding upon probing. Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% has not been tested among patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG). For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis, see PRECAUTIONS.

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% should not be used by persons who are known to be hypersensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients.

The effect of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% on periodontitis has not been determined. An increase in supragingival calculus was noted in clinical testing in chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse users compared with control users. It is not known if chlorhexidine gluconate use results in an increase in subgingival calculus. Calculus deposits should be removed by a dental prophylaxis at intervals not greater than six months. Anaphylaxis, as well as serious allergic reactions, have been reported during postmarketing use with dental products containing chlorhexidine. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS).

1. For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis, the presence or absence of gingival inflammation following treatment with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% should not be used as a major indicator of underlying periodontitis.

2. Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% can cause staining of oral surfaces, such as tooth surfaces, restorations, and the dorsum of the tongue. Not all patients will experience a visually significant increase in tooth staining. In clinical testing, 56% of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse users exhibited a measurable increase in facial anterior stain, compared to 35% of control users after six months; 15% of chlorhexidine gluconate users developed what was judged to be heavy stain, compared to 1% of control users after six months. Stain will be more pronounced in patients who have heavier accumulations of unremoved plaque.

Stain resulting from use of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% does not adversely affect health of the gingivae or other oral tissues. Stain can be removed from most tooth surfaces by conventional professional prophylactic techniques. Additional time may be required to complete the prophylaxis. Discretion should be used when prescribing to patients with anterior facial restorations with rough surfaces or margins. If natural stain cannot be removed from these surfaces by a dental prophylaxis, patients should be excluded from chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% treatment if permanent discoloration is unacceptable. Stain in these areas may be difficult to remove by dental prophylaxis and on rare occasions may necessitate replacement of these restorations.

3. Some patients may experience an alteration in taste perception while undergoing treatment with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse. Rare instances of permanent taste alteration following chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse use have been reported via postmarketing product surveillance.

Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at chlorhexidine gluconate doses up to 300 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day, respectively, and have not revealed evidence of harm to the fetus. However, adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse is administered to nursing women. In parturition and lactation studies with rats, no evidence of impaired parturition or of toxic effects to suckling pups was observed when chlorhexidine gluconate was administered to dams at doses that were over 100 times greater than that which would result from a person’s ingesting 30 mL of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% per day.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% have not been established in children under the age of 18.

In a drinking water study in rats, carcinogenic effects were not observed at doses up to 38 mg/kg/day. Mutagenic effects were not observed in two mammalian in vivo mutagenesis studies with chlorhexidine gluconate. The highest doses of chlorhexidine used in a mouse dominant-lethal assay and a hamster cytogenetics test were 1000 mg/kg/day and 250 mg/kg/day, respectively. No evidence of impaired fertility was observed in rats at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day.

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 the use of chlorhexidine gluconate oral 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 postmarketing 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.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact PAI Pharma at 1-800-845-8210 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Ingestion of 1 or 2 ounces of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% by a small child (~10 kg body weight) might result in gastric distress, including nausea, or signs of alcohol intoxication. Medical attention should be sought if more than 4 ounces of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% is ingested by a small child or if signs of alcohol intoxication develop.

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% therapy should be initiated directly following a dental prophylaxis. Patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% should be reevaluated and given a thorough prophylaxis at intervals no longer than six months. Recommended use is twice daily oral rinsing for 30 seconds, morning and evening after toothbrushing. Usual dosage is 15 mL of undiluted chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12%. Patients should be instructed to not rinse with water or other mouthwashes, brush teeth or eat immediately after using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12%. Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, 0.12% is not intended for ingestion and should be expectorated after rinsing.

Chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, USP 0.12% is a clear, light blue, peppermint flavored liquid and is supplied as:

NDC 0121-0893-04: 4 fl oz (118mL)

NDC 0121-1786-16:  16 fl oz (473 mL)

NDC 0121-0893-15:  15 mL unit dose cup. Case contains 40 unit dose cups of 15 mL (NDC 0121-0893-40), packaged in 4 trays of 10 unit dose cups each and 100 unit dose cups of 15 mL (NDC 0121-0893-00) packaged in 10 trays of 10 unit dose cups each.

NDC 0121-1786-16

Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Oral Rinse, USP 
0.12%

Ingredients: 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate in a base 
containing 11.6% alcohol, FD&C Blue No. 1, glycerin, 
peppermint flavor, polysorbate 80, purified water, and 
saccharin sodium. 

Directions For Use: Swish 1 tablespoon (15 mL) in mouth 
undiluted for 30 seconds, then spit out. Use after breakfast 
and before bedtime. Or, use as prescribed.

NOTE: To minimize medicinal taste, do not rinse with water 
immediately after use.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled 
Room Temperature].

Dispense in bottle as provided or in an amber plastic bottle 
with a child-resistant closure.

To Open: Squeeze cap and turn.
To Close: Turn cap until it locks.

KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF 
CHILDREN.

Dist. by: PAI Pharma
www.paipharma.com

Rx only

16 fl oz (473 mL)

Label For 473 mL Ndc 0121-1786-16 (Chlorhex 2)

Delivers 15 mL
NDC 0121-0893-15

Chlorhexidine
Gluconate
Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%

Package Not Child-Resistant
Rx ONLY

PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
GREENVILLE, SC 29605

SEE INSERT

A0893150121

Principal Display Panel (15 mL Cup Label)