Chlorhexidine Acetate BP 0.0 5% for Irrigation

Active substances: Chlorhexidine Acetate

Chlorhexidine for Irrigation contains a medicine called chlorhexidine acetate. This belongs to a group of medicines called ‘antiseptics’, which are used to kill bacteria.

Chlorhexidine for Irrigation is used:

• for cleaning (irrigating) the skin
• for wound and burn cleaning (irrigation)
• as a disinfectant for respirators.

Your doctor will not use Chlorhexidine for Irrigation:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active ingredients or any of the other ingredients (listed in section 6)
• for irrigation of your eyes, mouth or ears
• for irrigation of the brain or spinal cord or surrounding membranes (meninges)
• by infusion into a vein
• for oral administration
• for irrigation of any body cavities.

Your doctor will not use Chlorhexidine for Irrigation if any of the above apply. If you are not sure talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Chlorhexidine for Irrigation.

Your doctor will take special care when giving you Chlorhexidine for Irrigation if:

you are have had a reaction to Chlorhexidine for Irrigation in the past.

If you are not sure if this applies to you, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before having Chlorhexidine for Irrigation.

Do not take/use Chlorhexidine for Irrigation if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to chlorhexidine acetate or any of the other ingredients of Chlorhexidine for Irrigation (see section 6).

Chlorhexidine for Irrigation may be used by a doctor or nurse, or in some cases you may use the solution yourself. Only use if the solution is clear and the seal is intact.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The usual dose

• Your doctor will decide how much you will need and for how long it will be used. Your age, weight and clinical condition will be taken into account.
• The solution must be used undiluted and is for topical application. This means that it is for cleaning (irrigation) of your skin outside of your body.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine.

If you experience any of the following reactions stop using Chlorhexidine for Irrigation and get immediate medical help: swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; a red itchy skin rash; wheezing or difficulty breathing; feeling faint and dizzy; a strange metallic taste in the mouth; collapse. You may be having an allergic reaction. Fatal anaphylactic reaction has been reported.

Other possible side effects

• Corneal injury (injury to the surface of the eye), and permanent eye damage including permanent visual impairment (following accidental ocular exposure during head, face and neck surgical procedures) in patients under general anaesthesia (deep painless sleep)

Very occasionally the following may be seen:

• low blood pressure (hypotension)
• tingling sensations in your skin (paraesthesia)
• difficulty breathing
• increased heart rate
• cold sweats
• reddening or itching of your skin
• loss of consciousness
• pain
• blood in your urine or an increase the urge to urinate
• rash
• coughing or wheezing (Bronchospasm)
• heart stops pumping (cardiac arrest)
• blood vessels stop working properly (circulatory collapse)
• shock
• Corneal injury (injury to the surface of the eye), and permanent eye damage including permanent visual impairment (following accidental ocular exposure during head, face and neck surgical procedures) in patients under general anaesthesia (deep painless sleep)

Additional side effects in children

• Chemical burns

If you develop a rash or your skin becomes itchy, red, dry or inflamed where you have used the product as a skin wash, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Make sure that the product is stored and disposed of correctly and not used after the expiry date stated on the product. The storage conditions, should you need them, are given below.

• Do not store above 25ºC and protect from light
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXPIRY. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month
• Do not use this medicine if the container is damaged or the solution is not clear.
• Once opened: use immediately.

The solution should only be used once. Any leftover solution should be discarded. Do not throw away any medicine via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

This leaflet does not contain all the information about this medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.