Using hydrogen peroxide for oral care in ICU patients to prevent pneumonia

Effects of Oral Care With 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (Oroxid®) on the Lower Respiratory Tract Microbial Colonisation in Mechanically Ventilated Adult Critically Ill Patients (HyPer-MICROBE Trial); a Single-centre, Randomised, Controlled Trial

Phase 4 Interventional Charles University, Czech Republic · NCT06045429

This study is testing if using hydrogen peroxide for daily mouth care can help prevent pneumonia in patients on ventilators in the ICU.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment160 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCharles University, Czech Republic Academic / other
Locations1 site (Prague)
Trial IDNCT06045429 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of daily oral care using 3% hydrogen peroxide (Oroxid®) compared to standard care with 0.2% chlorhexidine in preventing lower respiratory tract microbial colonization in mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. It is a single-center, randomized controlled trial that aims to determine if hydrogen peroxide can reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and improve patient outcomes. The study will analyze various outcomes, including the risk of infection-related complications and length of ICU stay, over a period of three months.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult ICU patients who are expected to be mechanically ventilated for at least 72 hours and have a Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score of less than 6.

Not a fit: Patients with active respiratory infections at admission, those requiring immediate antibiotic therapy, or those with a history of hydrogen peroxide allergy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients, leading to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of chlorhexidine has been standard, the application of hydrogen peroxide for this purpose is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years
2. In-patient of ICU and expected to stay \> 5 days
3. Mechanical ventilation or imminent need of it; predicted length of mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥ 72h
4. Clinical Pulmonary Infection score (CPIS) less than 6 at the baseline
5. No history and symptoms of aspiration at the baseline

Exclusion Criteria:

1. ATB therapy of respiratory infection on admission
2. Suspected pulmonary infection on admission and in the first 48h of mechanical ventilation
3. Pregnancy
4. Oral ulcers or injuries
5. Patient with a history of hydrogen peroxide allergy

Where this trial is running

Prague

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions VAP - Ventilator Associated Pneumoniapneumoniahydrogen peroxidechlorhexidinerespiratory tract microbiome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.