Chlorhexidine (Periodontal)

Chlorhexidine is used to help treat periodontal disease (a disease of your gums), which is caused by bacteria growing beneath the gum line. Chlorhexidine works by killing the bacteria. Up to eight chlorhexidine implants are placed between your teeth and gums in areas where the gum has a deep pocket. Your dentist will place the chlorhexidine implants after your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned.

This medicine is available only with your dentist's prescription.

For 10 days after the implants have been placed, do not floss around the teeth and gums that have been treated. Using floss could push the implants out.

Contact your dentist immediately if an implant becomes loose or falls out. Chlorhexidine implants are small, orange-brown rectangular chips that are rounded at one end.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks and the benefits. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your healthcare professional about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been done in adults, and there is no specific information comparing the use of chlorhexidine implants in children to use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work the same way in older adults as they do in younger adults, or if they cause different side effects or problems. There is no specific information comparing the use of chlorhexidine implants in the elderly to use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication presents minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Bleeding, tender, or enlarged gums
• Cough, congestion or tightness in chest, or wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to provide ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Tooth, gum, or mouth pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, or sensitivity (mild to moderate)

Less common

• Indigestion or upset stomach
• Sore throat
• Ulcers or sores in the mouth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

The number of chlorhexidine implants inserted will be different for different patients. In addition, the following information includes only the average treatment using chlorhexidine implants. If your treatment is different, do not change it unless your dentist tells you to do so.

• For dental implant dosage form: For periodontitis: Adults—One implant inserted into each gum pocket that is too deep. Up to 8 implants may be inserted during each treatment. Treatment may be repeated every three months. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your dentist.

It is not necessary to remove the implants; they will dissolve on their own. However, your dentist will want to check the depth of the pockets in your gums every 3 months to see if they need to be treated again.