Influence of Surfactants on Release of Chlorhexidine from Hydrogels

Abstract In Slovakia chlorhexidine is available in dosage forms of solutions, creams and pastes but not in the form of hydrogels, though they are modern drug forms with many positive properties. Therefore, in this article possibilities of its formulation into hydrogels are studied. In particular, two research aims were followed. The first consisted in study of an influence of surface active agents on the release of chlorhexidine dihydrochloride from chitosan hydrogels and the second one was to design a formulation of hydrogels for local delivery of chlorhexidine to the oral cavity. To this end, surfactants from the group of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides with the length of alkyl chain C6–C18 which occupy a dominant position in the indication group of antiseptics and disinficients were analyzed with intention to use them in preparation of hydrogels. Hydrogels were prepared with 2.5% (w/w) gel-forming agent chitosan. Both the active agent and surfactants were used in 0.1% (w/w) concentration. It is shown t...