CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is a water-soluble chlorhexidine salt used as a cationic antiseptic, antimicrobial active, disinfectant ingredient, oral-care active, topical hygiene active, and veterinary antimicrobial component, and Chlorhexidine Gluconate is valued for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and persistent surface substantivity.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is commonly used in mouth rinses, dental gels, surgical scrubs, skin cleansers, wound-care products, hand washes, veterinary shampoos, disinfectant solutions, and hygiene formulations where controlled antimicrobial performance is required.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is typically supplied as an aqueous solution, commonly around 20% active content depending on grade, and Chlorhexidine Gluconate performance depends on active concentration, pH, purity, formulation vehicle, contact time, surfactant compatibility, salt level, preservative system, and regulatory classification.

CAS Number: 18472-51-0
EC Number: 242-354-0
Molecular Formula: C22H30Cl2N10·2C6H12O7
Molecular Weight: 897.76 g/mol

Synonyms: Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorhexidine Bigluconate, Chlorhexidine D-Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 20%, CHG, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Solution, Chlorhexidine Antiseptic Solution, Bisbiguanide Antimicrobial Gluconate, Cationic Antiseptic CHG, Chlorhexidine Antimicrobial Active, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, CHG, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorhexidine D-Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Di-D-Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Bis(D-gluconate), Chlorhexidine Bisgluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Salt, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Salt, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Solution, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Aqueous Solution, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Aqueous Solution, Aqueous Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Aqueous Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Liquid, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Liquid, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 20%, Chlorhexidine Digluconate 20%, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4%, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 2%, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antimicrobial, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Antimicrobial, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Antibacterial Agent, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Antibacterial Agent, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Disinfectant, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Disinfectant, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Biocide, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Biocide, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Oral Care Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Dental Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Dental Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Skin Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Skin Antiseptic, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Surgical Scrub Ingredient, Chlorhexidine Digluconate Surgical Scrub Ingredient

APPLICATIONS

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in topical antiseptic products to reduce microbial contamination on skin and external surfaces.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incorporated into surgical scrubs, hand washes, skin cleansers, and pre-operative skin preparations where persistent antimicrobial activity is required.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in healthcare hygiene formulations where broad antibacterial activity and residual surface effect are important.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in oral-care formulations to reduce oral microbial load and support gum-health applications.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incorporated into mouth rinses, dental gels, oral sprays, periodontal products, and professional dental preparations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in oral hygiene products only at controlled concentrations according to pharmaceutical, dental, cosmetic, or medical-device regulations.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in wound-care and dermatological preparations where antimicrobial protection is required.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incorporated into topical solutions, creams, gels, cleansing liquids, wipes, and medicated dressings depending on product approval and intended use.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in skin-contact products where irritation, allergic reaction potential, and compatibility must be carefully evaluated.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in veterinary care products as an antimicrobial active in shampoos, rinses, sprays, wipes, and topical preparations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incorporated into animal-care formulations where antimicrobial hygiene, odor control, and topical cleansing are needed.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in veterinary systems according to animal species, exposure route, product classification, and local regulatory requirements.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in disinfectant and preservative-support systems where cationic antimicrobial activity is compatible with the formula.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incorporated into specialty antimicrobial preparations where water solubility and persistent surface activity are needed.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is valued because Chlorhexidine Gluconate provides water-soluble chlorhexidine activity, broad antimicrobial performance, cationic surface binding, and formulation flexibility across oral-care, topical, veterinary, hygiene, and disinfectant applications.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used as a broad-spectrum antiseptic active in skin-cleansing formulations.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used to reduce microbial populations on intact skin before medical procedures.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in surgical hand scrubs for persistent antimicrobial activity.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in healthcare hand-wash products where prolonged skin substantivity is required.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in preoperative skin-preparation solutions.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used to cleanse injection and catheter insertion sites.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in antiseptic wipes for localized skin preparation.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in applicator systems designed for controlled antiseptic delivery.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in wound-cleansing products when permitted for the intended application.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in selected wound dressings as an antimicrobial component.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in topical gels intended to reduce bacterial contamination.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in antimicrobial creams and lotions formulated for localized skin care.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in mouth rinses to help control dental plaque.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in dental products intended to support gingival hygiene.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in oral-care regimens following selected dental procedures.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in professional dental formulations requiring strong antimicrobial activity.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in dental gels for localized application to oral tissues.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in periodontal-care products under professional supervision.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used to reduce microbial accumulation around dental appliances.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in oral-care research involving plaque-forming microorganisms.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in medicated shampoos for microbial control on the scalp.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in veterinary shampoos for cleansing animal skin and coats.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in veterinary sprays and wipes for localized antimicrobial care.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in animal-care products formulated under veterinary guidance.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in antimicrobial soaps for healthcare and institutional environments.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in hand-cleansing products for personnel exposed to frequent microbial contact.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in body-cleansing formulations intended for preoperative bathing.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in patient-care products requiring residual antimicrobial action.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in catheter-care products to help reduce surface contamination.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in antimicrobial dressings placed around vascular access sites.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in medical-device coatings designed to limit bacterial colonization.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in polymer matrices intended to release antiseptic activity gradually.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in cleansing solutions for selected reusable medical equipment.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in healthcare formulations where skin compatibility and broad antimicrobial performance are important.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in infection-control research involving bacterial surface adhesion.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in comparative antiseptic studies against other topical antimicrobial agents.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in microbiology laboratories as a reference antiseptic.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in minimum inhibitory concentration testing.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in studies of bacterial membrane disruption.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in investigations of reduced susceptibility to antiseptic agents.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in analytical laboratories as a reference material.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in chromatographic methods for assay and impurity determination.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in stability studies involving pH, light, temperature, and packaging.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in preservative-effectiveness and antimicrobial-performance testing.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in formulation development to optimize efficacy, mildness, and physical stability.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in compatibility studies with surfactants, polymers, and excipients.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in quality control to verify concentration, pH, color, and related substances.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in batch-release testing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in product-development trials for sprays, solutions, foams, gels, and wipes.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is used in regulated antimicrobial products requiring a water-soluble chlorhexidine salt.

DESCRIPTION

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is the gluconate salt form of chlorhexidine, a bisbiguanide antimicrobial compound containing two p-chlorophenyl groups connected through a hexamethylene chain.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is often described as chlorhexidine digluconate because chlorhexidine is commonly paired with two gluconate counterions in the commercial salt form.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is more water-compatible than chlorhexidine free base and is therefore widely used as an aqueous antimicrobial solution in pharmaceutical, oral-care, hygiene, and veterinary formulations.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate acts mainly by binding to negatively charged microbial cell surfaces, disrupting membrane integrity, and causing leakage of cellular contents.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate has broad antimicrobial activity against many Gram-positive bacteria, many Gram-negative bacteria, and selected yeasts, although activity varies by organism, concentration, formulation, contact time, and soil load.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate is known for substantivity because cationic chlorhexidine can remain associated with skin, oral tissues, and other negatively charged surfaces after application.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate is incompatible with many anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, alginates, carbomers, and negatively charged polymers because these materials can reduce antimicrobial activity or cause precipitation.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate should not be used in sensitive medical contexts, internal tissues, eyes, ears, meninges, or high-risk applications unless the finished product is specifically approved for that route.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate should be used according to pharmaceutical, dental, cosmetic, veterinary, medical-device, biocidal, and workplace safety regulations for the target market and product type.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Formula: C22H30Cl2N10·2C6H12O7
Molecular Weight: 897.76 g/mol
Common Name: Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Chemical Type: Chlorhexidine salt; bisbiguanide antimicrobial; cationic antiseptic; disinfectant active
Appearance: Clear colorless to pale yellow aqueous solution or solid salt form, grade dependent
Odor: Odorless to mild characteristic odor
Solubility: Freely soluble or highly compatible in water as aqueous gluconate solution; limited compatibility with many anionic systems
Ionic Character: Cationic under typical use conditions
Function: Antiseptic, antimicrobial active, disinfectant active, oral-care active, topical hygiene active, preservative-support ingredient
Typical Commercial Form: Aqueous solution, often approximately 20% active content, grade dependent
pH Behavior: Formulation dependent; activity and stability depend on final pH
Compatibility: Compatible with selected nonionic and cationic systems; incompatible with many anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, alginates, carbomers, and negatively charged polymers
Activity Profile: Broad antibacterial activity, formulation dependent
Substantivity: High surface binding and persistent antimicrobial effect in suitable formulations
Reactivity: Incompatible with strong oxidizers and many anionic materials
Stability: Stable under recommended storage; protect from heat, light, contamination, and incompatible ingredients
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, protected from freezing and excessive heat
Shelf Life: Typically 24–60 months in original sealed packaging, supplier dependent

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if mist, aerosol, or vapor from concentrated solution is inhaled.
Seek medical attention if coughing, respiratory irritation, wheezing, or breathing discomfort occurs.
Avoid further exposure until mist or aerosol control and ventilation are confirmed.

Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Seek medical advice if irritation, redness, itching, rash, or allergic reaction develops.
Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention promptly because concentrated Chlorhexidine Gluconate solution can cause serious eye irritation or damage.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention or contact a poison center if swallowed.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
Monitor for irritation, allergic reaction, gastrointestinal effects, and possible systemic effects after significant exposure.
Provide supportive care as needed.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, protective clothing, and respiratory protection where mist or aerosol exposure may occur.
Avoid splashing, mist formation, and prolonged skin or eye contact during transfer, dilution, filling, and blending operations.
Use clean equipment to prevent contamination and maintain pharmaceutical, dental, cosmetic, or veterinary grade quality.

Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal liquid handling.
Use local exhaust ventilation where mist, aerosol, or spray exposure may be generated.
Avoid atomizing or spraying concentrated Chlorhexidine Gluconate without adequate exposure control.

Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Protect from freezing, excessive heat, direct sunlight, and microbial or chemical contamination.
Keep away from strong oxidizers, anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, alginates, carbomers, and incompatible reactive chemicals.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Contain liquid spills with inert absorbent and restrict access to trained personnel.
Collect into suitable containers for reuse or disposal according to local regulations and facility procedures.
Prevent release to drains, soil, and waterways unless permitted by site procedures and local regulations.

Handling Precautions:
Confirm compatibility because Chlorhexidine Gluconate activity can be reduced by anionic surfactants, soaps, phosphates, carbomers, and negatively charged formulation ingredients.
Control concentration and regulatory status because Chlorhexidine Gluconate use limits differ between pharmaceutical, oral-care, cosmetic, veterinary, medical-device, and biocidal products.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent active content, color, odor, pH, clarity, and antimicrobial performance.