Betasept

Chlorhexidine, also known and sold under the trade name of Betasept, is a product which belongs to a group of medicines called antiseptic antibacterial agents.

It is used in order to clean the skin after an injury, before surgery, or before an injection is applied.

It is also used to clean the hands before a procedure is performed. It works by killing or preventing the growth of bacteria on the skin. It is available in many forms – dressing, gel/jelly, lotion, solution, liquid, pad, sponge, and cream.

Before the decision to use Chlorhexidine is made, it is important that you get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as the possible side effects and potential risks. For the decision to be made, it is important that the beneficial effects to outweigh the potential risks.

This is a decision that you and your doctor will have to make. Before the decision is made, make sure you inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor if you have any allergic reaction to any kind of medication, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reaction to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – Because this medication is known to cause skin irritation, it is recommended not to be used within pediatric patients under 2 months old.
• Geriatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within geriatric patients. Because of this, it is important that the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks in order for this medication to be used.
• Pregnancy – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases when the beneficial effects clearly outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk, and how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases when the beneficial effects clearly outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medication should not be used in a combination with others. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of combination including two or more medications to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial to your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain medication should not be used in a combination with certain type of food, and/or tobacco and/or alcohol. Because of this, it is important that you get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of a diet, and/or discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol.
• Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past, or present at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are other open wounds present.

Certain forms of this medication could be used only at the hospital, applied by the healthcare professional or the doctor. But, you could also get proper instructions how to properly apply the medication yourself.

It is important to follow the directions given by your doctor, respecting the prescribed dose. This product is for external use only. Do not apply it in the eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina.

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition. Use this product regularly in order to get the most beneficial effects from its use.

If you forget to apply it, do it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This product is harmful if swallowed. If swallowing is suspected, inform the doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

Visit your doctor at your scheduled appointments so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if necessary. These adjustments may refer to the dose – the doctor may decide to increase or decrease it, or the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment if there are serious side effects present.

Inform the doctor if you have an allergic reaction to any kind of medication, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this product may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur.

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant. In that case, the doctor may decide not to treat you with this product, because of the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this product to be used during pregnancy.

If you have plans about pregnancy in the future, the doctor will probably recommend a proven form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy.

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. The doctor will probably decide not to treat you with this product, because of the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medicine to be used within nursing mothers.

This product must not be used near or in the eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. It is harmful if swallowed. If swallowing is suspected, inform the doctor right away.

Along with its expected beneficial effects, there are possible side effects that could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also the side effects could be mild or more serious. However, it is essential that you get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to recognize their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Based on the side effects, the doctor may decide to make adjustments to the dose of the medicine or discontinue the treatment if there are serious side effects present.

• Serious side effects – blistering, burning, itching, peeling, skin rash, redness, swelling of the skin, swelling of the face, hands or feet, trouble breathing. If you notice any of these side effects, inform the doctor right away.

A serious allergic reaction is not common, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, swelling/ itching of the hands, feet, face, or tongue, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.