Chlorhexidine is a bactericidal antiseptic effective against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with gram-positive bacteria being more susceptible. It is ineffective against acid-fast bacteria, bacterial spores, fungi, and viruses. Chlorhexidine is cationic and incompatible with soaps and anionic materials. At 2% concentration, it forms salts of low solubility with borates, bicarbonates, carbonates, chlorides, citrates, phosphates, and sulfates, causing precipitation from solutions.