Consumer Information for: PERIOGARD

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for

“WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN USING CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE 0.12% ORAL RINSE”

Your dentist has prescribed Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse to treat your gingivitis – to help reduce the redness and swelling of your gums, and also to help you control any gum bleeding. Use Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse regularly, as directed by your dentist, in addition to daily brushing and flossing. Do not swallow Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse may cause some tooth discolouration or increases in tartar (calculus) formation, particularly in areas where plaque is more difficult to remove with normal brushing alone. It is important to do a thorough job of cleaning your teeth and to see your dentist at least every six months, or more frequently if your dentist advises.

  • Both stain and tartar can be removed by your dentist or hygienist. Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse may cause permanent discolouration of some front-tooth fillings. To minimize discolouration, you should brush and floss daily, emphasizing areas which begin to discolour. In some cases discolouration may be permanent.
  • Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse should not be used by persons who have a sensitivity to chlorhexidine gluconate.
  • Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse may taste bitter to some patients and may affect the taste of foods and beverages. This will become less noticeable in most cases with continued use of Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse. To avoid taste interference, rinse with Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse after meals. Do not rinse with water or other mouth rinses immediately after rinsing with Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse.
  • For maximum effectiveness avoid rinsing your mouth, brushing your teeth, eating or drinking for about 30 minutes after using Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse.

If you have any questions or comments about Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% Oral Rinse, contact your dentist or pharmacist.

Treatment of moderate to severe gingivitis and management of associated gingival bleeding and inflammation between dental visits.

What it does

Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse provides antimicrobial activity during oral rinsing which is maintained between rinsings. Microbiologic sampling of plaque has shown a general reduction of both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts ranging from 54-97% through six months’ clinical use. Rinsing with chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse inhibits the buildup and maturation of plaque by reducing certain microbes regarded as gingival pathogens, thereby reducing gingivitis.

When it should not be used

What the medicinal ingredient is

Medicinal ingredients: Chlorhexidine gluconate

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Non-medicinal ingredients: Alcohol, FD&C Blue # 1, flavour, glycerine, PEG-40 sorbitan diisostearate, saccharin sodium, USP purified water.

What dosage form it comes in

Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse is supplied as a blue liquid in 1-oz (15-mL) and 16- ounce (473-mL) amber bottles.

Warnings and precautions

Serious Warnings and Precautions

Do not use chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse if:

  • You have any allergies to this drug or its ingredients or components of the container (Contraindications).

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • Have allergies to this drug or its ingredients or components of the container
Interactions with this medication

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

Proper use of this medication

Usual Dose

Usual dose is 15-mL of undiluted chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse used twice daily for oral rinsing for 30 seconds. Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse is not intended for ingestion and should be expectorated after rinsing.

Overdose

Ingestion of 30 or 60 mL of chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse by a small child (10 kg or less in body weight) might result in gastric distress, including nausea, or signs of alcohol intoxication. Medical attention should be sought if more than 120 mL of chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse is ingested by a small child or if signs of alcohol intoxication develop.

If you think you have taken too much chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose

An occasional missed dose can be ignored if the patient is generally compliant with the prescribed regimen.

Side effects and what to do about them

The most common side effects associated with chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse are (1) an increase in staining of oral surfaces, (2) an increase in supragingival tartar (3) an alteration in taste perception to which most patients accommodate.
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional. Please also see Warnings and Precautions.
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional

Preserve in tight containers, protected from light, at controlled room temperature (15°C to 30°C).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.

You can help improve the safe use of health products for Canadians by reporting serious and unexpected side effects to Health Canada. Your report may help to identify new side effects and change the product safety information.
3 ways to report:

  • Online at MedEffect;
  • By calling 1-866-234-2345 (toll-free);
  • By completing a Consumer Side Effect Reporting Form and sending it by:
    • Fax to 1-866-678-6789 (toll-free), or
    • Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program
      Health Canada, Postal Locator
      0701E Ottawa, ON
      K1A 0K9

Postage paid labels and the Consumer Side Effect Reporting Form are available at MedEffect.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Read this carefully before you start taking chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse and each time you get a refill. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about this drug. Talk to your healthcare professional about your medical condition and treatment and ask if there is any new information about chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse.

If you want more information about chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by calling 1-800-268-6757.

This leaflet was prepared by:
Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc .
Two Morneau Shepell Centre, 5th Floor,
895 Don Mills Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 1G5

Last Prepared: August 17, 2017

Date modified: