The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), United Kingdom issued a medical device alert concerning all medical devices and medicinal products containing chlorhexidine. The MHRA has received a number of reports of anaphylactic reactions following the use of products containing chlorhexidine. Two examples are given below:
- A patient had an anaphylactic reaction when a skin wipe that contained chlorhexidine gluconate was used prior to cannulation. The patient had previously had an anaphylactic reaction whilst under general anaesthetic but at the time the cause of the reaction was unknown.
- It was reported that a patient with a known chlorhexidine allergy, which was noted on his file and on his wristband, suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after a chlorhexidine impregnated central venous catheter was inserted whilst in the operating theatre. He was successfully resuscitated.
Therefore, the MHRA reminded all medical and nursing staff to:-.
- Be aware of the potential for an anaphylactic reaction to chlorhexidine.
- Ensure that known allergies are recorded in patient notes.
- Check the labels and instructions for use to establish if products contain chlorhexidine prior to use on patients with a known allergy.
- If a patient experiences an unexplained reaction, check whether chlorhexidine was used or was impregnated in a medical device that was used.
For details, please visit the following MHRA website: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetywarnings/MedicalDeviceAlerts/CON197918
Posted on 26 October 2012