ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION.

ADVERSE REACTIONS. 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 frequency of less than 1.0%. Among postmarketing reports, the most frequently reported oral mucosal symptoms associated with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% are stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis, ulcer, dry mouth, hypesthesia, glossal edema, and paresthesia. Minor irritation and superficial desquamation of the oral mucosa have been noted in patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse.There have been cases of parotid gland swelling and inflammation of the salivary glands (sialadenitis) reported in patients using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse.

CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY SECTION.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility. In drinking water study in rats, carcinogenic effects were not observed at doses up to 38 mg/kg/day. Mutagenic effects were not observed in two mammalian in vivo mutagenesis studies with chlorhexidine gluconate. The highest doses of chlorhexidine used in mouse dominant-lethal assay and hamster cytogenetics test were 1000 mg/kg/day and 250 mg/kg/day, respectively. No evidence of impaired fertility was observed in rats at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) provides antimicrobial activity during oral rinsing. The clinical significance of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinses antimicrobial activities is not clear. Microbiological sampling of plaque has shown general reduction of counts of certain assayed bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic, ranging from 54-97% through six months use.Use of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% in six-month clinical study did not result in any significant changes in bacterial resistance, overgrowth of potentially opportunistic organisms or other adverse changes in the oral microbial ecosystem. Three months after chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% use was discontinued, the number of bacteria in plaque had returned to baseline levels and resistance of plaque bacteria to chlorhexidine gluconate was equal to that at baseline.. PHARMACOKINETICS. Pharmacokinetic studies with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% indicate approximately 30% of the active ingredient is retained in the oral cavity following rinsing. This retained drug is slowly released into the oral fluids.Studies conducted on human subjects and animals demonstrate chlorhexidine gluconate is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The mean plasma level of chlorhexidine gluconate reached peak of 0.206 ug/g in humans 30 minutes after they ingested 300-mg dose of the drug. Detectable levels of chlorhexidine gluconate were not present in the plasma of these subjects 12 hours after the compound was administered. Excretion of chlorhexidine gluconate occurred primarily through the feces (~90%). Less than 1% of the chlorhexidine gluconate ingested by these subjects was excreted in the urine.

CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION.

CONTRAINDICATIONS. PerioGard(R) should not be used by persons who are known to be hypersensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate or other formula ingredients.

DESCRIPTION SECTION.

DESCRIPTION. PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral rinse USP, 0.12%) is an oral rinse containing 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (1,1-hexamethylene bis [5-(p-chlorophenyl) biguanide] di-D-gluconate) in base containing water, propylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, flavor, cetylpyridinium chloride, and FD&C blue no. 1. PerioGard(R) product is near neutral solution (pH range 5-7). Chlorhexidine gluconate is salt of chlorhexidine and gluconic acid. Its chemical structure is: Chemical Structure.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) therapy should be initiated directly following dental prophylaxis. Patients using PerioGard(R) should be reevaluated and given thorough prophylaxis at intervals no longer than six months. Recommended use is twice daily oral rinsing for 30 seconds, morning and evening after toothbrushing. Usual dosage is 1/2 fl. oz. (15 mL line in dosage cap) of undiluted PerioGard(R). Patients should be instructed not to rinse with water or other mouthwashes, brush teeth, or eat immediately after using PerioGard(R). PerioGard(R) is not intended for ingestion and should be expectorated after rinsing.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

General. 1. For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis, the presence or absence of gingival inflammation following treatment with PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) should not be used as major indicator of underlying periodontitis.2. PerioGard(R) can cause staining of oral surfaces, such as tooth surfaces, restorations, and the dorsum of the tongue. Not all patients will experience visually significant increase in tooth staining. In clinical testing, 56% of the chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% users exhibited measurable increase in facial anterior stain, compared to 35% of control users after six months; 15% of the chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% 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(R) 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 dental prophylaxis, patients should be excluded from PerioGard(R) 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.3. Some patients may experience an alteration in taste perception while undergoing treatment with 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.

HOW SUPPLIED SECTION.

HOW SUPPLIED. PerioGard(R) is supplied as blue liquid in 16-fluid ounce (473 mL) (NDC 0126-0272-16) amber plastic bottle with child-resistant dosage cap.. Store at 20 to 25C (68 to 77F) excursions permitted between 15 to 30C (59 to 86F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].Rx Only. Keep out of reach of children.

INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE. PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) is indicated for use between dental visits as part of professional program for the treatment of gingivitis as characterized by redness and swelling of the gingivae, including gingival bleeding upon probing. PerioGard(R) has not been tested among patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG). For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis, see PRECAUTIONS.

NURSING MOTHERS SECTION.

Nursing Mothers. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) is administered to nursing women. In parturition and lactation studies with rats, no evidence of impaired parturition or of toxic effects to suckling pups was observed when chlorhexidine gluconate was administered to dams at doses that were over 100 times greater than that which would result from persons ingesting 30 mL (2 doses) of PerioGard(R) per day.

OVERDOSAGE SECTION.

OVERDOSAGE. Ingestion of or ounces of PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) by small child (~10 kg body weight) might result in gastric distress, including nausea. Medical attention should be sought if more than ounces of PerioGard(R) Oral Rinse is ingested by small child.

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL.

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 473 mL Bottle Label. Colgate(R) NDC 0126-0272-16PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%)ALCOHOL FREERx OnlyPLACE PHARMACY LABEL HEREDispense in original container or in amber glass.KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN For questions or comments contact your dentist or pharmacist.16 FL OZ (1 PT) 473 mL. PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL 473 mL Bottle Label.

PEDIATRIC USE SECTION.

Pediatric Use. Clinical effectiveness and safety of PerioGard(R) have not been established in children under the age of 18.

PHARMACOKINETICS SECTION.

PHARMACOKINETICS. Pharmacokinetic studies with chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% indicate approximately 30% of the active ingredient is retained in the oral cavity following rinsing. This retained drug is slowly released into the oral fluids.Studies conducted on human subjects and animals demonstrate chlorhexidine gluconate is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The mean plasma level of chlorhexidine gluconate reached peak of 0.206 ug/g in humans 30 minutes after they ingested 300-mg dose of the drug. Detectable levels of chlorhexidine gluconate were not present in the plasma of these subjects 12 hours after the compound was administered. Excretion of chlorhexidine gluconate occurred primarily through the feces (~90%). Less than 1% of the chlorhexidine gluconate ingested by these subjects was excreted in the urine.

PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

PRECAUTIONS. General. 1. For patients having coexisting gingivitis and periodontitis, the presence or absence of gingival inflammation following treatment with PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) should not be used as major indicator of underlying periodontitis.2. PerioGard(R) can cause staining of oral surfaces, such as tooth surfaces, restorations, and the dorsum of the tongue. Not all patients will experience visually significant increase in tooth staining. In clinical testing, 56% of the chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% users exhibited measurable increase in facial anterior stain, compared to 35% of control users after six months; 15% of the chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% 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(R) 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 dental prophylaxis, patients should be excluded from PerioGard(R) 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.3. Some patients may experience an alteration in taste perception while undergoing treatment with 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.. Pregnancy. Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at chlorhexidine gluconate doses up to 300 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day, respectively, and have not revealed evidence of harm to fetus. However, adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.. Nursing Mothers. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when PerioGard(R) (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12%) is administered to nursing women. In parturition and lactation studies with rats, no evidence of impaired parturition or of toxic effects to suckling pups was observed when chlorhexidine gluconate was administered to dams at doses that were over 100 times greater than that which would result from persons ingesting 30 mL (2 doses) of PerioGard(R) per day.. Pediatric Use. Clinical effectiveness and safety of PerioGard(R) have not been established in children under the age of 18.. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility. In drinking water study in rats, carcinogenic effects were not observed at doses up to 38 mg/kg/day. Mutagenic effects were not observed in two mammalian in vivo mutagenesis studies with chlorhexidine gluconate. The highest doses of chlorhexidine used in mouse dominant-lethal assay and hamster cytogenetics test were 1000 mg/kg/day and 250 mg/kg/day, respectively. No evidence of impaired fertility was observed in rats at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day.

PREGNANCY SECTION.

Pregnancy. Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at chlorhexidine gluconate doses up to 300 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day, respectively, and have not revealed evidence of harm to fetus. However, adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION.

NDC 0126-0272-16.

STORAGE AND HANDLING SECTION.

Store at 20 to 25C (68 to 77F) excursions permitted between 15 to 30C (59 to 86F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].Rx Only. Keep out of reach of children.

TERATOGENIC EFFECTS SECTION.

Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at chlorhexidine gluconate doses up to 300 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day, respectively, and have not revealed evidence of harm to fetus. However, adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

WARNINGS SECTION.

WARNINGS. The effect of PerioGard(R) on periodontitis has not been determined. An increase in supragingival calculus was noted in clinical testing with users of chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse USP, 0.12% compared with control users. It is not known if chlorhexidine gluconate use results in an increase of subgingival calculus. Calculus deposits should be removed by dental prophylaxis at intervals not greater than six months. Anaphylaxis, as well as serious allergic reactions, have been reported during postmarketing use with dental products containing chlorhexidine.SEE CONTRAINDICATIONS.