Hibiscrub 4% w/v Cutaneous Solution 5L

Always use this medicine exactly as described in the leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.

For Pre-operative Surgical Hand Disinfection

• Wet the hands and forearms. Wash with 5ml of Hibiscrub using the following procedure, each step consisting of five strokes backwards and forwards.
• Continue washing hands and wrists until one minute has elapsed.
• Clean the fingernails with a brush or scraper.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• For pre-operative use repeat the wash a second time for two minutes.

For Antiseptic Handwashing on the Ward

Wet the hands and forearms, apply 5ml of Hibiscrub and wash for one minute. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

For Preventing Infection Before Your Operation

• Wash the whole of your body in the bath or the shower on at least two occasions. This is usually done
  on the day before the operation and the day of the operation. Use the following method:
  
  • Use 25 ml of Hibiscrub as a soap solution.
  • Wash the whole body. Start with the face. Work down the body. Pay special attention to the
    skin around the nose, under the arms, around the belly button, between the legs and around the
    bottom.
  • Rinse the whole body.
  • Repeat the wash. Use the same amount of Hibiscrub. This time, wash the hair as well.
  • Rinse the whole body and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

For Preventing Infection After Your Operation

Wash the whole of your body, excluding the operation site, in the bath or the shower. This is usually done on the third day after the operation. Use the method described above.

• Active Ingredient: Chlorhexidine gluconate 4% w/v (40 mg/ml).
• Other Ingredients: Poloxamer 237, isopropyl alcohol, lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, glycerol, macrogol 7 glycerol cocoate, gluconolactone, citrus perfume, ponceau 4R (E124), sodium hydroxide and purified water.

• For external use only.
• Do not inject.
• Do not use in the body's internal spaces.
• Chlorhexidine must not be used in direct contact with nerve tissue, for example brain and spinal cord tissue.
• Prolonged use of Hibiscrub, especially in young patients, or in patients with broken skin, may lead to hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine gluconate. Therefore, Hibiscrub should only be used on intact skin.
• Areas of skin that have been treated with Hibiscrub should be thoroughly rinsed with water and dried on a clean towel.
• Avoid contact with the eyes, brain, meninges (the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and middle ear. If Hibiscrub comes into contact with the eyes, wash out immediately and thoroughly with water.
• In patients with head or spinal injuries or a perforated ear drum (an ear drum with a hole or tear in it), the benefit of use in pre-operative preparation should be evaluated against the risk of contact.
• Common bleaches (which contain hypochlorites) may cause brown stains to develop on fabrics which have previously been in contact with chlorhexidine.
• Hibiscrub's action may be reduced if used with soap or detergents.
• Hibiscrub is flammable. Do not use with ignition sources until dry.
• If you go into hospital, let your doctor know if you are using Hibiscrub.
• Use with care in newborn babies, especially those born prematurely. Hibiscrub may cause chemical skin burns.
• Hibiscrub 4% w/v Cutaneous Solution contains 40mg isopropyl alcohol in each ml. Dryness, irritation, redness or burning sensation of the skin may occur. Allergic contact dermatitis or contact allergies are very rare.
• Hibiscrub 4% w/v Cutaneous Solution contains fragrance with 3-Methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one, Amyl cinnamal, Amylcinnamyl alcohol, Anisyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl cinnamate, Benzyl salicylate, Cinnamal, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, d-Limonene, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamaldehyde, Hydroxymethylpentyl-cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, Isoeugenol, Lilial, Linalool, Methyl heptine carbonate, Oak moss and Tree moss. These may cause allergic reactions. The fragrance also contains Bergamot oil (containing bergapten), Soya oil, Ethanol, Methyl benzoate, Benzoic acid, Balsam of Peru, Formaldehyde and Sodium laurilsulfate:
  • Bergamot oil (containing bergapten) may increase sensitivity to UV light (natural and artificial sunlight).
  • Ethanol may cause burning sensation on damaged skin.
  • Benzoic acid, Benzyl benzoate and Methyl benzoate may cause local irritation. Benzoic acid, Benzyl
    benzoate and Methyl benzoate may increase jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) in newborn
    babies (up to 4 weeks old).
  • Balsam of Peru may cause skin reactions.
  • Formaldehyde may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
  • Sodium laurilsulfate may cause local skin reactions (such as stinging or burning sensation) or increase
    skin reactions caused by other products when applied on the same area.

Do not use Hibiscrub 4% w/v Cutaneous Solution:

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to chlorhexidine gluconate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• Hibiscrub 4% w/v Cutaneous Solution contains soya oil. If you are allergic to peanut or soya, do not use this medicinal product.