Note: This document contains side effect information about chlorhexidine topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name ChloraPrep One-Step.
Applies to chlorhexidine topical: oral liquid, oral solution. Other dosage forms:
- topical application liquid, topical application solution
Serious side effects of ChloraPrep One-Step
Along with its needed effects, chlorhexidine topical (the active ingredient contained in ChloraPrep One-Step) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chlorhexidine topical:
Rare
- Signs of allergic reaction (nasal congestion; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; skin rash, hives, or itching; or swelling of face
Other side effects of ChloraPrep One-Step
Some side effects of chlorhexidine topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Change in taste
- increase in tartar (calculus) on teeth
- staining of teeth, mouth, tooth fillings, and dentures or other mouth appliances
Less common or rare
- Mouth irritation
- swollen glands on side of face or neck
- tongue tip irritation
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to chlorhexidine topical: compounding liquid, mucous membrane insert, mucous membrane liquid, topical dressing, topical liquid, topical pad, topical soap, topical solution, topical sponge.
General
The most commonly reported side effects include toothache, tongue coating, skin irritation and hypersensitivity reactions.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Toothache (up to 50.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, glossodynia, oral paresthesia, dyspepsia, ulcerative stomatitis, gum hyperplasia
Frequency not reported: Mouth irritation, coated tongue, desquamation/superficial desquamation/oral mucosa swelling, parotid gland swelling, burning sensation of the tongue, increased dental calculus formation, aphthous ulcer, gingivitis/grossly obvious gingivitis, geographic tongue, tooth disorder, dental/gingival/mouth pain, broken/cracked/fractured teeth, mobile teeth, lost bridges/crowns/fillings, discoloration of the teeth, gums, and dorsum of the tongue
Postmarketing reports: Stomatitis, glossitis, ulcer, glossal edema, sialadenitis/inflammation of the salivary glands[Ref]
Toothache occurred most often in patients receiving the periodontal chip, and included dental/gingival/mouth pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, or sensitivity.
Tooth disorder occurred most often in patients receiving the periodontal chip, and included broken/cracked/fractured teeth, mobile teeth, and lost bridges/crowns/fillings.[Ref]
Respiratory
Bronchospasm occurred with hypersensitivity reactions.
Upper respiratory tract infection and sinusitis have occurred most commonly in patients receiving the periodontal chip.[Ref]
Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 28.4%), sinusitis (up to 13.8%)
Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, pharyngitis
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, rhinitis, coughing, dyspnea[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Ageusia/dysgeusia, hypoesthesia
Frequency not reported: Transient dysgeusia, headache, loss of consciousness
Postmarketing reports: Hypesthesia, paresthesia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthrosis, tendinitis
Frequency not reported: Back pain, myalgia, arthralgia[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Ulceration, desquamation, keratinization, mucocele, short frenum, pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, sensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Minor irritation[Ref]
Dermatologic
Rash, erythema, and urticaria occurred with hypersensitivity reactions.
Dermatitis, pruritus, erythema, eczema, rash, urticaria, skin irritation, and blisters occurred with allergic skin reactions.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Rash, erythema/generalized erythema, urticaria, dermatitis, pruritus, eczema, skin irritation, blisters, cold sweat, irritative or allergic skin reactions[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Chemical burns in neonates, trauma, abscess, influenza-like symptoms, deafness, sensitive tissue irritation[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse, hypotension, and tachycardia occurred as hypersensitivity reactions.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse, hypotension, tachycardia, hypertension[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reactions/fatal anaphylactic reactions
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Irreversible corneal damage, irritation to the conjunctiva[Ref]
Exposure of the eye to chlorhexidine cleanser, generally during preparation for facial surgery, has resulted in eye pain, edema of the epithelium, keratitis, inflammation of the conjunctiva, corneal epithelial cell loss, chronic corneal ulcers, and opacification. Corneal transplantation to correct permanent damage has been required in some patients.
Allergic conjunctivitis is rarely associated with the use of contact lens solutions which contain low concentrations of chlorhexidine as a preservative.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Hematuria occurred after bladder irrigation.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Dysmenorrhea, hematuria[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Allergy[Ref]