title: Evaluation of the substantivity of a chlorhexidine oral rinse in irradiated head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: A trial was conducted to evaluate the substantivity of chlorhexidine in a population of patients who had undergone primary or adjunctive radiation therapy for tumors of the head and neck. Subjects were instructed to first rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine as per manufacturer instructions, followed by a releasing rinse provided 1 minute, 1 hour, and 4 hours later. All expectorants were collected, pH adjusted, and introduced to the test microorganism. Zones of bacterial inhibition were then measured and recorded. The results suggest that 0.12% chlorhexidine is retained in the oral cavity for at least 4 hours after an initial rinsing and that the property of substantivity remains active in spite of radiation-induced changes in the oral cavity and salivary glands.
authors.affiliation: Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Dentistry, University of Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Toljanic
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D002710:Chlorhexidine