Patient Leaflet Updated 15-Jan-2026 | Becton Dickinson U.K Limited
ChloraPrep Swabstick
ChloraPrep 2% w/v / 70% v/v impregnated cutaneous swab
chlorhexidine gluconate / isopropyl alcohol
This medicine should always be used exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse have told you.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What ChloraPrep is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use ChloraPrep
3. How to use ChloraPrep
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store ChloraPrep
6. Contents of the pack and other information
ChloraPrep is a cutaneous solution of chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol, which is presented as a plastic stick with a foam pad that is impregnated with a fast-acting antiseptic solution on one end. The product is used to disinfect the skin and help prevent infections before invasive medical procedures.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using ChloraPrep.
ChloraPrep is for external use only.
ChloraPrep should not be used:
ChloraPrep must not come into contact with the eye due to the risk of visual damage. If it comes into contact with the eyes, wash out immediately and thoroughly with water. In case of any irritation, redness or pain in the eye, or visual disturbance, ask for medical advice promptly.
Serious cases of persistent corneal injury (injury to the surface of the eye) potentially requiring corneal transplant have been reported when similar products have accidentally come in contact with the eye during surgical procedures, in patients under general anaesthesia (deep painless sleep).
ChloraPrep may in rare cases cause severe allergic reactions, leading to a drop in blood pressure and even to unconsciousness. Early symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may be skin rash or asthma. If you notice these symptoms, stop using ChloraPrep and contact your doctor as soon as possible (see under section 4: “Possible side effects”).
ChloraPrep should only be applied to the skin gently. When the solution is applied in an over- vigorous manner to very fragile or sensitive skin or after repeated use, rash, inflammation, itching, dry and/or flaky skin and pain may occur. At the first sign of any of these reactions, applications of ChloraPrep should be stopped.
Prolonged skin contact should be avoided.
Soaked materials, such as drapes or gowns should be removed before use. The solution should not be allowed to pool.
The solution is flammable. Do not use ignition sources, naked flames or strong heat sources near the treated areae until the skin is completely dry.
Use with care in newborn babies, especially those born prematurely. ChloraPrep may cause chemical skin burns.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have recently had a vaccine or skin test injection (patch test used to test for allergies).
There are no studies with ChloraPrep in pregnant or lactating women.
Pregnancy
No effects during pregnancy are anticipated, since systemic exposure to chlorhexidine gluconate is negligible. ChloraPrep can be used during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
No effects on the breastfed newborn/infant are anticipated since the systemic exposure of the breast-feeding woman to chlorhexidine gluconate is negligible. ChloraPrep can be used during breast- feeding.
Fertility
The effects of chlorhexidine gluconate on human reproduction have not been studied.
ChloraPrep does not affect your driving or ability to use machines.
The antiseptic solution is kept inside an aluminium pouch that also contains the swab(s). Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will select the pouch size and the number of ChloraPrep swabs needed, based on the procedure site and area of skin to be covered. Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will rub the foam pad gently over your skin, covering the skin area that needs to be prepared. Depending on your medical procedure, more than one pouch may be used.
Other ChloraPrep applicators may be more suitable, depending on the medical procedure being undertaken.
ChloraPrep is only used on the intact skin and each swab is only used once.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medecine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following reactions the product application should be stopped: swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; a red itchy skin rash; wheezing or difficulty breathing; feeling faint and dizzy; a strange metallic taste in the mouth; collapse. You may be having an allergic reaction.
If you develop a rash or your skin becomes itchy, painful, red, blistery, dry or inflamed where you have used the product, stop using ChloraPrep and talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Very rarely (fewer than 1 in 10,000 people), allergic or irritated skin reactions to the ingredients in ChloraPrep (chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol) have been reported.
Other possible side effects, for which it is not known how often they occur, are: eye irritation, pain, chemical burns, corneal injury (injury to the surface of the eye), and permanent eye damage including permanent visual impairment (following accidental ocular exposure during head, face and neck surgical procedures) in patients under general anaesthesia (deep painless sleep) and skin burns in newborns/infants.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via
or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions.
Store in the original package; ChloraPrep is sterile unless the seal is broken.
Flammable. Avoid exposure of the container and contents to naked flames during use, storage or disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label or carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
ChloraPrep swabs consist of a plastic stick connected to an impregnated foam tip, which are sealed in a plastic foil pouch containing the antiseptic solution.
A pouch can contain either one or three swabs.
Pack Sizes:
1.75 mL (Single swab): Carton of 48 pouches (total: 48 swabs)
5.25 mL (Triple swab): Carton of 40 pouches each containing 3 swabs (total: 120 swabs)
Not all pack sizes may be marketed
The Marketing Authorisation holder of ChloraPrep is:
Customer contact for adverse events or medical information inquiries: +44 800 043 7546
The Manufacturer of ChloraPrep is
This medicine is authorised in the Member States of the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom and in the United Kingdom under the following names:
Finland: ChloraPrep 20 mg/ml + 0,70 ml/ml kyllästetty lääketuppo iholle
France: CHLORAPREP, tampon cutané imprégné en applicateur
Germany: ChloraPrep 2 % w/v / 70 % v/v Imprägnierter Tupfer zur Anwendung auf der Haut
Ireland: ChloraPrep 2% w/v / 70% v/v impregnated cutaneous swab
Italy: ChloraPrep 2% p/v / 70% v/v tampone cutaneo medicato
Norway: Chloraprep 20 mg/ml + 0,70 ml/ml impregnert vattpinne til bruk på hud
Sweden: Chloraprep 20 mg/ml + 0,70 ml/ml impregnerad kutan svabb
United Kingdom: ChloraPrep 2% w/v / 70% v/v impregnated cutaneous swab
This leaflet was last revised in 01/2026.
Licence Number:
PL 05920/0006
1030 Eskdale Road, Winnersh Triangle, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5TS, UK
0800 0437 546
0800 917 8776
