Adverse events associated with chlorhexidine use: results from the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Diabetes Study.
BACKGROUND
The authors report adverse events (AEs) related to the use of chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse in a clinical trial of the efficacy of periodontal treatment in older adults with diabetes.


METHODS
Participants were U.S. veterans with uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A(1c) value > or =8.5 percent) and periodontal disease. Treatment included periodontal scaling, 0.12 percent chlorhexidine lavage during ultrasonic scaling and use of chlorhexidine mouthrinse at home.


RESULTS
Forty-four (31 percent) of 140 subjects reported having AEs. Most common were taste changes and tooth staining, sore mouth and/or throat, tongue irritation and wheezing/shortness of breath; the latter was reported more commonly before chlorhexidine use than after. Only body mass index greater than 30 was significantly related to AEs.


CONCLUSIONS
AEs are common among subjects using chlorhexidine mouthrinse. Most AEs (taste change and staining) were resolved easily by subjects' discontinuing mouthrinse use and receiving dental prophylaxis. No serious AEs were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should advise patients using chlorhexidine mouthrinse of possible side effects. If necessary, patients should discontinue mouthrinse use and obtain medical care. Careful monitoring of AEs in patients using chlorhexidine is warranted.
McCoy
Linda C
LC
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road (152), Bedford, MA 01730, USA. mccoyl@bu.edu
Wehler
Carolyn J
CJ
Rich
Sharron E
SE
Garcia
Raul I
RI
Miller
Donald R
DR
Jones
Judith A
JA
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012534:Dental Scaling; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005928:Glossitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012648:Self Care; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000139:chemically induced; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D002710:Chlorhexidine