Patient leaflet - Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray
1. What Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray is and what it is used for
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray is a mint flavoured solution. The active ingredient of this medicine is chlorhexidine gluconate which is an antimicrobial. It acts to kill the harmful bacteria present on the surface of your teeth and gums.
This medicine is used to help stop dental plaque from forming and is used:
- to help treat and prevent gum disease (gingivitis)
- to maintain oral hygiene.
- after oral surgery
- where toothbrushing can not be performed.
2. What you need to know before you use Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray
Do not use Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray:
- if you are allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
- This medicine is only for use in the mouth, do not swallow. Expel from the mouth after each use.
- Keep away for the eyes and ears. If any spray does come into contact with the eyes, wash out well with water.
This medicine can be stopped from working properly by the ingredients in some toothpastes.
Therefore brushing with toothpaste should be done first and the mouth rinsed out well with water before using Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray. Alternatively you can use the spray at a different time of day.
- Temporary staining of the teeth and tongue may occur. See section 4 for more information.
- Do not bleach fabrics that have been in contact with this medicine.
Other medicines and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains small amounts of ethanol (alcohol), less than 100 mg per spray. This medicine contains 0.02 mg of sorbitol in each spray.
3. How to use Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or dentist have told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if you are not sure.
- When using the spray for the first time, remove the cap from the top of the bottle and replace with the nozzle actuator, which is supplied separately inside the carton.
- The recommended dose is up to 12 sprays (approximately 0.14 mL of solution per spray), twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening).
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- Direct the spray inside your mouth onto surfaces of the teeth and gums.For gum disease, it is recommended that you continue to use the medicine for about one month. Your doctor, pharmacist or dentist may advise you to use it for longer or shorter depending on your needs.
If you use more Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray than you should
Problems of overdose with this medicine are rare as chlorhexidine is poorly absorbed into the body. However if a large volume of solution is accidentally swallowed, contact your doctor.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Occasionally medicines containing chlorhexidine can cause an itchy/red skin reaction. Very rarely a general allergic reaction to chlorhexidine can occur (rash, itching, sometimes shortness of breath). If you experience these symptoms, stop using the medicine and see your doctor or dentist.
The surface of your tongue may become discoloured. This disappears when you stop taking the medicine.
Your teeth and/or fillings may become discoloured. This stain is not permanent and can usually be prevented if you can brush with conventional toothpaste before using the spray. In some cases though, you may have to have a scale and polish from your dentist to remove the stain completely. Tooth-coloured fillings which are in poor condition may not be adequately cleaned even by the dentist and may need replacing. When it is not possible to brush the teeth properly, for example with a brace fixed to the teeth, then scaling and polishing may be required when the underlying condition has been resolved.
You may notice a change in the way things taste, or even a burning sensation on the tongue when you first use the spray. This will usually go away as you continue with your treatment. If notice any shedding of the surface layer of skin inside your mouth (peeling) then stop taking the medicine. Tingling/numbness of the mouth may occur.
Occasionally, swelling of the salivary glands during the use of chlorhexidine mouthwash has been reported. In all cases this has been returned to normal when the treatment was stopped.
Tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist if you notice any other unwanted effects not mentioned above.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, dentist or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray contains
- The active substance is chlorhexidine gluconate. The concentration of the active substance in the solution is 0.2 %
- The other ingredients are ethanol (alcohol), sorbitol, cremophor RH60, peppermint flavour, water.
What Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthspray looks like and contents of the pack
This medicine is a mint flavoured solution available in plastic bottles of 65mL.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Northumbria Pharma Ltd.
NetPark
Thomas Wright Way
Sedgefield
County Durham
TS21 3FD
UK
Manufacturer
Pharmaserve (North West) Ltd.
9 Arkwright Road
Astmoor Industrial Estate
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1NU
UK
PL 48259/0021