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Drug Details

HIBISCRUB

• Drug Class Description
  Disinfectants.
• Generic Name
  Chlorhexidine
• Presentation
  Liquid.
• Description
  Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% w/v (incorporated as Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution Ph. Eur.).
• Indications
  'Hibiscrub' is an antimicrobial preparation for pre-operative surgical hand disinfection, antiseptic handwashing on the ward and pre-operative and post-operative skin antisepsis for patients undergoing elective surgery.
• Adult Dosage
  

  For external use only.

  Pre-operative surgical hand disinfection Wet the hands and forearms, apply 5ml of 'Hibiscrub' and wash for one minute cleaning the fingernails with a brush or scraper. Rinse, apply a further 5ml of 'Hibiscrub' and continue washing for a further 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

  Antiseptic handwash on the ward Wet the hands and forearms, apply 5ml of 'Hibiscrub' and wash for 1 minute. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

  Pre-operative skin antisepsis for the patient The patient washes his/her whole body in the bath or shower on at least two occasions, usually the day before and the day of operation, as follows:

  The day before operation the patient washes with 25ml of 'Hibiscrub', beginning with the face and working downwards paying particular attention to areas around the nose, axillae, umbilicus, groin and perineum. The body is then rinsed and the wash repeated with a further 25ml, this time including the hair. Finally the patient rinses his/her entire body thoroughly and dries on a clean towel. This procedure should be repeated the following day. Patients confined to bed can be washed with 'Hibiscrub' using a standard bed-bath technique. Conventional disinfection of the operation site will then be performed when the patient is in theatre.

  Post-operative skin antisepsis for the patient The patient washes whole body, except the operation wound, in the bath or shower usually on the third day after operation, using the procedure described above.

• Contra Indications
  

  'Hibiscrub' preparations are contraindicated for patients who have previously shown a hypersensitivity reaction to chlorhexidine. However, such reactions are extremely rare.

• Special Precautions
  

  For external use only. Keep out of the eyes and avoid contact with the brain, meninges and middle ear. In patients with head or spinal injuries or perforated ear drum, the benefit of use in pre-operative preparations should be evaluated against the risk of contact. If chlorhexidine solutions come into contact with the eyes, wash out promptly and thoroughly with water.

  Do not inject or use in body cavities.

• Adverse Drug Reactions
  

  Irritative skin reactions to chlorhexidine preparations can occasionally occur. Generalised allergic reactions to chlorhexidine have also been reported but are extremely rare.