Important differences in activity, among 0.12% CHX products, were detected by both in vitro and in vivo tests. The formulation with alcohol was more active than those without alcohol, excepting the formulation with CHX+CPC, in which the reformulation and addition of CPC not only compensate but rather increase the antimicrobial activity.

The newly formulated mouth rinse demonstrated short-term plaque-inhibitory activity. This was associated with a reduction in the total load of anaerobic subgingival microflora.

Objective: To assess the effects of an antiseptic, non-alcohol based mouth-rinse containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride, in preventing the oral complications associated to radiation therapy in head-and-neck cancer patients. Study design: This was a parallel, double blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Cancer patients were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments (test mouth-rinse or a placebo). Three visits were scheduled (baseline, 14 and 28 days). Different outcome variables were evaluated: mucositis, plaque and gingival indices, stimulated saliva and salivary pH. Results: 70 patients were screened and 36 were included. The presence and the degree of mucositis significantly increased in both groups and no significant differences were detected between groups, although the median increase in the placebo group (1.81) at 2 weeks was higher than in the test group (1.20). Conclusions: Within the limitations of the small sample size, this study suggests that the use of the tested mouthrinse may lead to some improvements in clinical parameters in patients irradiated for head-and-neck cancer.

Within the limitations of the study model, the BNZ+CPC combination showed a statistically significant plaque-inhibitory capacity, as compared with the placebo mouth rinse, and an additive effect as compared with CPC. No relevant clinical or microbiological adverse effects were detected.

Objective: To assess the microbiological effects of an antiseptic, non-alcohol based mouth-rinse containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride, in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head-and-neck cancer. Study Design: This was a parallel, double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial, including patients irradiated as part of the therapy of head-and-neck cancer, aged 18-75, with at least 10 teeth, and willing to sign an informed consent. Cancer patients were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments (test mouth-rinse or a placebo). Three visits were scheduled (baseline, 14 and 28 days). Microbiological findings were evaluated in tongue, mucosa and subgingival samples, by means of culture. Microbiological variables were assessed by means of the Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and chi-square tests. Results: 70 patients were screened and 36 were included. The detection of Candida species in mucosa and tongue samples showed significant reductions in the test group. Total bacterial counts decreased in both groups from baseline to the 2-week visit, while minor changes occurred between 2 and 4 weeks (effects on P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, C. rectus, E. corrodens). Conclusions: Within the limitations of the small sample size, this study suggests that the use of the tested mouthrinse may lead to improvements in microbiological parameters in patients irradiated for head-and-neck cancer.