Swish chlorhexidine around in the mouth for 30 seconds. Then spit out. Use the medicine full strength. Do not mix with water before using. Do not swallow the medicine. Dosing

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Do not eat, brush teeth, or rinse with water or other mouthwash right after using Periogard (chlorhexidine gluconate (oral)). Gum problems (other)—Use of chlorhexidine may make other gum problems, such as periodontitis, worse Periogard may leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth. Do not rinse your mouth to remove this taste after using the medication. You may rinse the medicine away and reduce its effectiveness.Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Drug Interactions The usual dose for children aged 12 and older is up to 5 lozenges a day. Adults can have up to 10 a day. Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups. Breast Feeding Minor irritation and superficial desquamation of the oral mucosa have been noted in patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinses.

Stop using chlorhexidine dental treatments and speak to a dentist, doctor or pharmacist if your mouth is:

The most common side effects associated with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% are: (1) an increase in staining of teeth and other oral surfaces, (2) an increase in calculus formation, and (3) an alteration in taste perception; see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS. Oral irritation and local allergy-type symptoms have been spontaneously reported as side effects associated with use of chlorhexidine gluconate rinse. The following oral mucosal side effects were reported during placebo-controlled adult clinical trials: aphthous ulcer, grossly obvious gingivitis, trauma, ulceration, erythema, desquamation, coated tongue, keratinization, geographic tongue, mucocele, and short frenum. Each occurred at a frequency of less than 1.0%. Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;

Chlorine dioxide, which is found in CloSYS, TheraBreath, Oxyfresh, and ProFresh (sodium chlorite), has an anti-bacterial effect that is combined with increased reduction of volatile sulfur compounds. The primary benefit of these products is fresh breath.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take Periogard (chlorhexidine gluconate (oral)). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.

Wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before having something to eat or drink. Dosage and how to use throat spray Measure your dose using the cup provided with the medication. Swish the medicine in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, then spit it out. Do not swallow the mouthwash. Some patients may experience an alteration in taste perception while undergoing treatment with a chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12%. Rare instances of permanent taste alteration following chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% use have been reported via postmarketing product surveillance. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Other Medical Problems

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PerioGard ® can cause staining of oral surfaces, such as tooth surfaces, restorations, and the dorsum of the tongue. Not all patients will experience a visually significant increase in tooth staining. In clinical testing, 56% of the chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse users exhibited a measurable increase in facial anterior stain, compared to 35% of control users after six months; 15% of the chlorhexidine gluconate users developed what was judged to be heavy stain, compared to 1% of control users after six months. Stain will be more pronounced in patients who have heavier accumulations of unremoved plaque. Stain resulting from the use of PerioGard ® does not adversely affect health of the gingivae or other oral tissues. Stain can be removed from most tooth surfaces by conventional professional prophylactic techniques. Additional time may be required to complete the prophylaxis. Discretion should be used when prescribing to patients with anterior facial restorations with rough surfaces or margins. If natural stain cannot be removed from these surfaces by a dental prophylaxis, patients should be excluded from PerioGard ® treatment if permanent discoloration is unacceptable. Stain in these areas may be difficult to remove by dental prophylaxis and, on rare occasions, may necessitate replacement of these restorations.