Hexetidine

What hexetidine is and how it works

Hexetidine is a broad-spectrum topical antiseptic used as a 0.1% mouthwash or gargle to help treat minor mouth and throat infections, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and to support oral hygiene, including after dental surgery. (3) (4)

It has no boxed warning and is used topically (rinsed or gargled and then spat out, never swallowed). Its availability varies considerably by country: it remains an authorised product in the UK and in France/other EU markets, but has been discontinued in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Mechanism of action: how hexetidine works

Hexetidine is a pyrimidine-derivative antiseptic with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts (including Candida albicans), and some fungi, through binding to proteins with electronegative sites on microbial cell surfaces; it also has mild local-anaesthetic, astringent, and deodorant properties. Antibacterial activity has been reported to persist for 10-14 hours after a single application. (3) (4)

What hexetidine is used for

Before taking hexetidine

Do not take / not appropriate for

• Do not use if you have a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to hexetidine or to any excipient in the specific product, including azorubine (E122) colouring in some formulations. (all countries) (3)
• Not recommended for children under 12 years, and contraindicated in children under 6 years, per the sourced product labels. (United Kingdom, European Union) (3) (4)
• This product is for rinsing/gargling only and must not be swallowed. (all countries) (3) (4)

Tell your clinician about

• Any past allergic reaction to hexetidine or to mouthwash/oral-rinse products.
• Whether you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding -- guidance differs between sourced labels because of the product's alcohol content (see special populations).
• Any history of alcohol use disorder, liver disease, or epilepsy, since these products typically contain a notable amount of ethanol.
• Whether your symptoms (mouth/throat infection, ulcers) persist beyond a few days, since persistent symptoms need clinical assessment rather than continued self-treatment.

How to take hexetidine

• Rinse the mouth or gargle with the undiluted solution, then spit it out -- do not swallow.
• Used for a short course to manage minor symptoms; see a clinician or dentist if symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
• Not recommended for children under 12 years in the sourced UK and French product labels.

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Missed dose

This is a topical rinse used a few times a day as needed for symptom relief, not a scheduled medicine with a strict dosing timeline -- if you miss a rinse, simply use it at the next opportunity. If you are unsure, check the specific product's patient leaflet or ask a pharmacist.

Overdose

This product is not meant to be swallowed. If a significant amount is swallowed accidentally (particularly in a child), or if you experience symptoms after use, contact a pharmacist, doctor, or poison control service for advice, partly because of the alcohol content of these formulations. (3) (4)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Serious warnings

Interactions

• No specific drug-drug interactions were identified in the sourced UK and French product labels for this topical antiseptic mouthwash, beyond the general caution around its alcohol content in people with alcohol use disorder, liver disease, or epilepsy. (4)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Monitoring

Before starting

• Check for known allergy to hexetidine or product excipients
• Confirm age is appropriate for the product (12 years and older for standard use)

During treatment

• Watch for any signs of allergic reaction after first use.
• Reassess if mouth/throat symptoms have not improved within a few days of regular use.

Storage

Store at room temperature, out of reach of children, in the original container, and away from light and heat, as with most oral rinse products.

Frequently asked questions

References

1. DailyMed search for 'hexetidine' -- 0 resultsU.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed (direct site search) · United States · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 1
2. HEXETIDINE -- Inxight Drugs substance recordNCATS Inxight Drugs (part of NIH, U.S. National Institutes of Health) -- substance regulatory-status record · United States · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 2
3. Oraldene 0.1% w/v mouthwash -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- product license holder · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 3
4. HEXTRIL 0,1 POUR CENT, bain de bouche (hexetidine 0.1%) -- official French medicines database entryAgence nationale de securite du medicament et des produits de sante (ANSM), France -- national marketing authorisation database · European Union (France, national authorisation) · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 4
5. STERI/SOL LIQUID (hexetidine 0.1%) -- Drug Product Database entry, DIN 01946900Health Canada, Drug Product Database (DPD) · Canada · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 5
6. STERISOL (Hexetidine 1mg/mL) Mouthwash -- ARTG 33546, cancelled under section 30(1)(c) of the Therapeutic Goods ActTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia -- sponsor cancellation notice · Australia · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 6
7. Medsafe site search for 'hexetidine' -- no data sheet or registration record foundMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) -- direct site search · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 7

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient hexetidine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries