Chlorine dioxide
Chlorine dioxide

Background

Chlorine dioxide is a gas used in very small quantities to disinfect water. It is a disinfectant similar to bleach and is unsafe when used in large amounts.

Chlorine dioxide kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Very small amounts are used in public water treatment facilities. At high doses, it can damage red blood cells and the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Some people swish and spit mouthwash solutions containing small amounts of chlorine dioxide for bad breath, tooth plaque, and wound healing, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using chlorine dioxide for COVID-19.

The US FDA has warned consumers to avoid chlorine dioxide supplement products due to the risk for serious safety issues and death. These products often list another ingredient on the label called sodium chlorite and are marketed under names like Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), Master Mineral Solution, and Miracle Mineral Supplement.
When taken by mouth: Chlorine dioxide is likely unsafe. While chlorine dioxide is safely used to disinfect drinking water, it is used in extremely small amounts. The doses used in supplements can cause serious side effects, including severe vomiting, liver failure, and death. Beware that chlorine dioxide supplements usually show another ingredient on the label (sodium chlorite).

When used as a mouthwash: Chlorine dioxide 0.01% to 0.8% solutions are possibly safe when swished around the mouth for 30-60 seconds and then spit out.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Chlorine dioxide supplements are likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. There isn't enough reliable information to know if chlorine dioxide is safe to apply to the skin or use as a mouthwash. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Chlorine dioxide supplements are likely unsafe for children when taken by mouth. There isn't enough reliable information to know if chlorine dioxide is safe for children to apply to the skin or use as a mouthwash. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

An inherited disorder that causes red blood cells to break down in response to stress (G6PD deficiency): People with this condition who use chlorine dioxide may be at an increased risk for red blood cell rupture. Avoid using.

Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD): Chlorine dioxide might increase the risk of anemia in people with this condition, even when used in small amounts. But it's not clear if this is a major concern.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
  • Bad breath. Rinsing with a mouthwash containing 0.1% chlorine dioxide seems to improve bad breath.
There is interest in using chlorine dioxide for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Dosing & administration

Very dilute amounts of chlorine dioxide are used in public water treatment facilities to disinfect water. But the US FDA has warned consumers that chlorine dioxide supplement products are unsafe. These products often list another ingredient on the label called sodium chlorite and are marketed under names like Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), Master Mineral Solution, and Miracle Mineral Supplement.

As a mouthwash, chlorine dioxide 0.01% to 0.8% has most often been used by adults for up to 10 days. The solution is swished in the mouth for 30-60 seconds and then spit out.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

It is not known if Chlorine Dioxide interacts with any medicines. Before taking Chlorine Dioxide, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 27/07/2022 04:37:21 and last updated on 28/09/2022 05:16:38. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.