chlorhexidine gluconate + isopropyl alcohol

Hydrex is a topical antiseptic solution containing 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Developed by Enturia, Inc. (now part of BD), it is primarily indicated for pre-operative skin antisepsis and post-operative wound care to reduce skin bacterial counts and prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). The formulation leverages the synergistic antimicrobial properties of its two active components: chlorhexidine gluconate provides persistent activity by disrupting microbial cell membranes, while isopropyl alcohol offers rapid bactericidal action by denaturing proteins. Hydrex has been evaluated in Phase 4 clinical trials, particularly in the United Kingdom, where its efficacy in reducing bacterial counts and infection rates was compared against higher-concentration formulations such as ChloraPrep (2% CHG) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Brand names

Hydrex

Other names

0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcoholHydrex Pink