Chlorhexidine: 70 year of history at a glance

• 1950 – Discovered

• 1954– CHG introduced commercially in UK – disinfectant and topical antiseptic
• 1970 – Handwashing with chlorhexidine shown to reduce skin flora by ~ 90%
• 1976 – Ability to inhibit dental plaque demonstrated
• 1981 – First urologic lubricant with chlorhexidine cleared
• 1988 – First 2% chlorhexidine and alcohol skin prep combination launched in US
• 1992 – First chlorhexidine based vascular catheter becomes available (impregnated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine)
• 1993 – First chlorhexidine impregnated sponge dressing cleared
• 2005 – First chlorhexidine cloth for bathing is cleared
• 2005 – First 3.15% chlorhexidine and alcohol skin prep cleared by the FDA
• 2010 – First chlorhexidine impregnated end caps are cleared
• 2010 – First chlorhexidine based peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is cleared for antimicrobial indication
• 2012 – Chlorhexidine PICC cleared for antithrombogenic indication