Chlorhexidine Gluconate is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
Recent recall — 1 ongoing recall reported in the last 90 days. Only the lots listed are affected. Details
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Periogard Alcohol Free, Major Oral Rinse, Antiseptic Skin Cleanser, Peridex, Sky Oral Rinse
- Taken
- Topical
- Label
- Xttrium Laboratories, Inc., revised April 27, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- FDA-approved (7 companies) · details
Purpose
Antiseptic
What it is used for
healthcare personnel handwash: helps reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease skin wound and general skin cleansing
Active ingredient
Chlorhexidine gluconate 4% Solution
Do not use
if you or the patient is allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or any other ingredient in this product in contact with meninges in the genital area
Ask a doctor before use if you have
Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation, sensitization or allergic reaction occurs. These may be signs of a serious condition.
When using this product
keep out of eyes, ears, and mouth. May cause serious and permanent eye injury if permitted to enter and remain in the eye or may cause deafness when instilled in the middle ear through perforated eardrums. if solution should contact these areas, rinse out promptly and thoroughly with water wounds which involve more than the superficial layers of the skin should not be routinely treated repeated general skin cleansing of large body areas should not be done except when advised by a health care provider.
Warnings
For external use only Allergy alert: This product may cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include: wheezing/difficulty breathing shock facial swelling hives rash If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away. Do not use if you or the patient is allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or any other ingredient in this product in contact with meninges in the genital area When using this product keep out of eyes, ears, and mouth. May cause serious and permanent eye injury if permitted to enter and remain in the eye or may cause deafness when instilled in the middle ear through perforated eardrums. if solution should contact these areas, rinse out promptly and thoroughly with water wounds which involve more than the superficial layers of the skin should not be routinely treated repeated general skin cleansing of large body areas should not be done except when advised by a health care provider. Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation, sensitization or allergic reaction occurs. These may be signs of a serious condition. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Keep out of reach of children
. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Is there a generic Chlorhexidine Gluconate?
Yes. The FDA has approved generic Chlorhexidine Gluconate from 7 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 1989.
An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.
The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.
Companies with an approved generic
Bajaj, Becton Dickinson, Chartwell Rx, Colgate-palmolive Co, Lyne, Pharm Assoc, Pharmobedient
Brand-name versions
- Hibiclens Molnlycke Hlth, approved 1976
- Hibistat Molnlycke Hlth, approved 1980
- Dyna-hex 4 Xttrium, approved 1984
- Exidine Xttrium, approved 1984
- Dyna-hex 2 Xttrium, approved 1985
- Cida-stat Ecolab, approved 1986
- Peridex Solventum, approved 1986
- Pharmaseal Scrub Care Carefusion 2200, approved 1988 Discontinued
- Bioscrub Griffen, approved 1989
- Periochip Dexcel Pharma, approved 1998 Discontinued
- Readyprep Chg Medline Industries, approved 2018
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
Chlorhexidine in the news
We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news
Recalls
-
Class II Ongoing
2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate* Cloth, Non-sterile, 6 Disposable cloths, Sage Products LLC, 3909 Three Oaks Road, Cary, Illinois 60013. NDC: 53462-705-26
Reason: Cross Contamination with Other Products
Lots, distribution and details
- Product
- 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate* Cloth, Non-sterile, 6 Disposable cloths, Sage Products LLC, 3909 Three Oaks Road, Cary, Illinois 60013. NDC: 53462-705-26
- Lots / codes
- Lot 108491 with case sequence numbers 14841 through 20013.
- Distribution
- US Nationwide.
- Quantity
- 165,536 packages
- Recall started
- August 18, 2026 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
- Severity
- Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
- FDA recall number
- D-0837-2026
Have this medicine at home? Compare the lot number and expiry date on your package with the recall. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine on your own — stopping suddenly can be riskier than the recalled lot. Your pharmacist can check it and usually swap it for an unaffected one.
Get alerts for Chlorhexidine Gluconate
We will email you if the FDA reports a recall, if its shortage status changes, or when we publish news about it — at most one email a day. No account needed.
Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 4a9eda34-d85c-4b66-e054-00144ff88e88.