If you’ve seen Surgilube® Sterile Surgical Lubricant, chances are you’ve noticed “CONTAINS: Chlorhexidine Gluconate” on the packaging. You may be wondering what chlorhexidine gluconate is, and why we use it in our formula.

Let’s take a look at chlorhexidine gluconate and answer some common questions.

What is Chlorhexidine Gluconate?

Chlorhexidine gluconate, or CHG, was discovered in 1946 and is an antiseptic used to help prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast.

If you’re in the healthcare industry, infection control probably comes to mind when you hear the word chlorhexidine. That’s because CHG products are commonly used in hospital settings to help reduce HAIs and the spread of infection. CHG can also be found in a variety of OTC products, such as topical solutions, washes, scrubs, and oral rinses.

Is CHG Safe?

CHG products are generally safe to be used by most individuals. However, you should not use products that contain chlorhexidine gluconate if you are allergic to CHG, as there’s a possibility of serious allergic reaction. Because of this risk, the FDA requires products that contain CHG to have a warning on the packaging, just like ours.

In addition, products that contain CHG should not be used in the eyes and ears.

Why does Surgilube® use CHG in our formula?

While chlorhexidine gluconate is known for being a great bacteria killer, the low concentration used in Surgilube® Sterile Surgical Lubricant acts as a preservative and bacteriostatic agent to support infection control and prevent bacteria from reproducing. The bacteriostatic properties of CHG can help reduce HAIs, including surgical site infections and CAUTI, while ensuring product safety after opening.

Choose Surgilube® as Your Go-To Medical Lubricant

When you choose Surgilube® as your lubricant, you can rest assured that you are choosing a quality medical lubricant that has a big impact on patient safety. With a unique formulation that is not available as a private-label brand, Surgilube® is made in the USA with only premium-sourced ingredients under rigorous quality control.

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