D-Germ, liquid chlorhexidine gluconate 0,5 %/70 %

D-GERM is a disinfectant for the disinfection of the surgeon's hands prior to operative procedures and general hand disinfection. D-Germ is effective against bacteria, viruses and fungus.

Do not use D-Germ:

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to Chlorhexidine or any other ingredients of D-Germ (listed in section 6)

Warnings and precautions:

Special care should be taken with D-Germ as:

• It is for external use only.
• Not to be taken orally
• It may cause irritation of the conjunctiva and other sensitive tissues (see 4. Possible Effects), therefore eye contact should be avoided
• Avoid contamination of food with this product
• It is a flammable liquid or vapours – do not keep close to open flame or direct sunlight (see 5. How to store D-Germ).
• Skin irritation may occur
• It may be toxic to the ear (ototoxicity).

Other medicines and D-GERM:

Always tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicine. (This includes all complementary or traditional medicines). D-GERM is incompatible with soap and other anionic agents.

Use D-GERM exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

For hygienic hand disinfection, apply palmful of D-Germ on visibly clean hands and rub hands well until dry. For surgical hand disinfection, use enough D-Germ to cover all aspects of the hands and forearms, following the correct steps for a minimum of 2 minutes. Repeat process 2 times.

Hand disinfection:

1. Apply a palmful of the product in a cupped hand, enough to cover all hand surfaces.
2. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa.
3. Rub hands palm to palm.
4. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa.
5. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
6. Back of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked.
7. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa.
8. Once dry, your hands are safe.

Surgical disinfection:

1. Put approx. 5 ml (3 doses) of alcohol-based handrub in the palm of your left hand.
2. Dip the fingertips of your right hand in the handrub to decontaminate the nails (5 sec.)
3. Images 3 – 7: Smear the handrub on the right forearm up to the elbow. Ensure that the whole skin area is covered by using circular movements around the forearm until the handrub has fully evaporated (10 – 15 sec).
4. Put approx. 5 ml (3 doses) of alcohol-based handrub in the palm of your right hand, using the elbow of your other arm to operate the dispenser.
5. Dip the fingertips of your left hand in the handrub to decontaminate under the nails (5 sec.).
6. Smear the handrub on the left forearm up to the elbow. Ensure that the whole skin area is covered.
7. Put approx. (3 doses) of alcohol-based handrub in the palm of your left hand. Rub both hands at the same time up to the wrists and cover the whole surface of the hands up to the wrist with alcohol-based handrub, rubbing palm against palm with a rotating movement.
8. Ensure that all the steps represented in images 12 – 17 are followed (20 – 30 sec.).
9. Rub the back of the left hand, including the wrist, moving the right palm back and forth and vice versa.
10. Rub palms against palm, back and forth with fingers interlocked.
11. Rub the back of the fingers holding them in the palm of the other hand with a sideways back and forth movement.
12. Rub the thumb of the left hand by rotating it in the clasped palm of the right hand and vice versa.
13. When the hands are dry, sterile surgical clothing and gloves can be donned. Ensure enough product is used. Repeat process 2 times. Duration 2 minutes.

If you swallow D-GERM: See 4. Possible side effects. In the event that D-Germ is swallowed, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre.

D-GERM can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for D-GERM are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while using D-GERM, please consult your health care provider for advice. Skin sensitivity to chlorhexidine has been reported. Skin irritation due to chlorhexidine allergy may occur. Ototoxicity (toxic to the ear) has been reported. D-Germ should not come into contact with the middle ear as this may lead to damage to your inner ear. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects:

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the "6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form", found online under SAHPRA's publications: https://primaryreporting.who-umc.org/ZA. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of D-GERM.

Store all medicines out of reach of children. Store in airtight containers in a cool place, at or below 25 ˚C. Protect from light and heat. Keep away from open flames. Cork closures must not be used. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the bottle.