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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Clearium 31.2 mg/ml Shampoo for Dog

Active ingredient: Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Form

Shampoo

Species

Dogs

Manufacturer

Virbac

VMD MA No.

05653/4216

What it's used for

For the treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis surface proliferation and the control of associated clinical signs in dogs.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Chlorhexidine Gluconate

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Clearium 31.2 mg/ml Shampoo for Dog — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 18 Mar 2026.

For the treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis surface proliferation and the control
of associated clinical signs in dogs.
Cutaneous use
Administer the shampoo topically three times (three treatment sessions) a week for 2
weeks then, if necessary, twice a week for 2 weeks and finally on a weekly basis for
2 weeks. If necessary, further use may be required in accordance with the directions
of and a risk/benefit assessment by the prescribing veterinarian.
The table below provides a guide to suitable volumes; however, the amount of the
product to be administered has to be adapted to both, the size of the dog and the
hair-coat length. The volume of the product applied should be sufficient to develop
lather. Follow the procedure below:
Wet the animal thoroughly with clean water and apply the product to the animal at
several points. Apply a quantity of product according to the dog’s weight and hair-
coat length in order to develop lather. Distribute the product uniformly all over the
surface of the hair and ensure that it is applied around the lips, under the tail and
between the toes. Massage the animal’s body to develop lather and rinse
immediately.

Unlimited Renewal: June 2023
AN: 00708/2023
Repeat the above procedure using the same volume of product as before, but this
time allow a 10-minute contact period before rinsing the hair coat with clean water.
Leave the dog to dry naturally in a warm draught-free environment.
Two applications of shampoo are to be applied per treatment session, as shown in
the table below:
Bodyweight
st

shampooing
nd

Shampooing
Total Volume of product to be
used per treatment session
 4.9 kg10 mlwash10 ml20 ml5.0 to 10.9 kg15 mlwash15 ml30 ml11.0 to 15.9 kg20 mlwash20 ml40 ml16.0 to 20.9 kg25 mlwash25 ml50 ml21.0 to 30.9 kg30 mlwash30 ml60 ml31.0 to 45.9 kg40 mlwash40 ml80 ml 46.0 kg50 mlwash50 ml100 ml
Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the
excipients.
In a clinical trial, pruritus and erythematous reactions were common observations
after shampooing with this product. In most cases, these reactions did not
necessitate the cessation of treatment and clinical signs resolved completely without
any specific therapy. However, if signs persist, the veterinary surgeon should re-
evaluate the treatment.
Conjunctival inflammation may occur and usually resolves without treatment.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports)
Diagnosis of Malassezia pachydermatis should be based on clinical examination,
exclusion of other dermatoses and presence of Malassezia pachydermatis on the
skin.

Unlimited Renewal: June 2023
AN: 00708/2023

Special precautions for use in animals
For external use only.
Take care to avoid the animal inhaling the product or the product getting into the
eyes, auditory canal, nose or mouth of the animal during shampooing. In case of
accidental contact with eyes, rinse with plenty of water. If eye irritation occurs and
persists, consult a veterinarian.
Do not allow the animal to lick itself during shampooing and rinsing or before it is
dried.
Safety of the product has not been demonstrated in animals of less than five months
of age.
Safety of the product has not been demonstrated beyond six weeks of use.
Resistance to any particular class of antimicrobial may develop following frequent,
repeated use of an antimicrobial of that class.
Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may induce a
resistance in the population of skin yeasts.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
This product may cause hypersensitivity following dermal contact and can be irritating
to skin.
Avoid prolonged contact with the shampoo by gently washing and drying hands
immediately after use of the product. If you develop symptoms following exposure
such as skin rash or skin irritation, you should seek medical advice and show the
physician the label or package leaflet.
People with known hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine or any of the excipients should
avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
Accidental eye contact with undiluted product may cause serious eye irritation.
Avoid contact with eyes.
In case of accidental eye contact, rinse with plenty of water, seek medical advice and
show the physician the label or package leaflet.
Accidental ingestion may cause adverse reactions, such as stomach irritation and
nausea.
Avoid contact with mouth and hand-to-mouth transfer. In the event of
accidental ingestion, seek medical advice and show the package leaflet
or the label to the physician
Keep the product in the original packaging until use and immediately
after use, in order to prevent children from getting direct access to the
product
Avoid handling and stroking of treated animals immediately following treatment.
Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling this product.

Unlimited Renewal: June 2023
AN: 00708/2023
Frequent shampooing may reduce the efficacy of other topically-applied products,
e.g. ectoparasiticides.
No data are available to evaluate interactions with other topically-applied products.
Do not refrigerate.
Do not store below 8°C.
A tolerance study performed in dogs receiving up to five times the recommended
therapeutic dose, three days a week for four consecutive weeks, shows on occasions
slight cutaneous reactions only. These reactions were transient, although they could
last for several days when shampooing was ongoing. They did not require any
particular treatment.
4.11 Withdrawal period
Not applicable.
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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