Calgon Vesta

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that fights bacteria.

Calgon Vesta (for the skin) is used to clean the skin to help prevent infection that may be caused by surgery, injection, or skin injury.

Calgon Vesta may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Chlorhexidine can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction that could be life-threatening. Seek emergency medical help if you experience: hives, severe skin rash; wheezing, difficulty breathing; cold sweats, severe dizziness; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You should not use Calgon Vesta if you are allergic to it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use Calgon Vesta if you have any allergies to food, dyes, animals, or medicines.

It is not known whether Calgon Vesta will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether chlorhexidine topical passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Be very careful when using Calgon Vesta on a child younger than 2 months old. This medicine may cause severe irritation or chemical burns on a very young child.

Chlorhexidine can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction that could be life-threatening. Get emergency medical help if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe skin rash; wheezing, trouble breathing; cold sweats, severe dizziness; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Calgon Vesta may cause serious side effects. Stop using Calgon Vesta and call your doctor right away if you experience:

• severe burning, itching, or redness;
• blistering or peeling;
• swelling or severe skin rash; or
• any other severe irritation of the treated skin.

Less serious side effects are more common, and you may not have any at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Calgon Vesta is for use only on the skin.

Rinse the skin before applying Calgon Vesta. Apply only enough medicine to cover the area you are treating. Do not apply this medicine to deep cuts, scrapes, or open skin wounds.

To use Calgon Vesta soap, apply only enough to cover the area you are treating. Wash the area gently, then rinse thoroughly with plain water. Avoid using over large areas of skin.

This medicine is made under sterile conditions, but its contents are not sterilized. It is possible for bacteria to get inside the product and contaminate it, which could spread infection. To avoid contaminating your medicine with bacteria:

• Use only the swab, pad, or applicator provided with your medicine.
• If no applicator is provided, use only a clean cotton ball or cotton swab to apply this medicine.
• Do not touch the tip of the medicine bottle with your fingers or touch it to your skin.
• Do not dilute the medicine with water or other liquid.
• Use the applicator (pad, swab, or other dressing) only once. Throw away after one use.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Calgon Vesta.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

If this medicine is packaged in a single-use foil wrapper or other container, use it only once. Throw away after one use, even if there is still medicine left in it. Do not save for later use.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

An overdose of Calgon Vesta is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Avoid getting Calgon Vesta in your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina. If this happens, rinse with water.

Avoid using other medicines on the areas treated with Calgon Vesta unless your doctor instructs you to.

Avoid getting this medicine on your clothing or other fabrics. Do not use bleach to wash any fabric that has been exposed to chlorhexidine, or it may cause a permanent stain.

It is unlikely that other medications you take by mouth or inject will affect chlorhexidine topical. However, many medications can interact with one another. Inform all your health care providers about all the medicines you are using, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.