Hexachlorophene: profile and news

Best Practices for 2006 Feb 1, 2006
...is far different from the purchase and use of scrub and prep solutions - those containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), hexachlorophene, alcohols, povidine ... - Infection Control Today,

Other information

Indication
For use as a surgical scrub and a bacteriostatic skin cleanser. It may also be used to control an outbreak of gram-positive infection where other infection control procedures have been unsuccessful.

Pharmacology
Hexachlorophene, a detergent cleanser, is an antibacterial sudsing emulsion for topical administration. It is a bacteriostatic cleansing agent. It cleanses the skin thoroughly and has bacteriostatic action against staphylococci and other gram-positive bacteria. Cumulative antibacterial action develops with repeated use. Cleansing with alcohol or soaps containing alcohol removes the antibacterial residue.

Mechanism Of Action
The primary mechanism of action of hexachlorophene, based on studies with Bacillus megatherium, is to inhibit the membrane-bound part of the electron transport chain, respiratory D-lactate dehydrogenase. It induces leakage, causes protoplast lysis, and inhibits respiration.

Drug Category
Anti-Infectives; ATC:D08AE01

Brand Names/Synonyms
AT-17; AT-7; Acigena; Almederm; B 32; Bilevon; Bivelon; Compound G-11; Cotofilm; Dermadex; Dial; Distodin; E-Z Scrub; Eleven; Exofene; Fascol; Fesia-Sin; Fomac; Fostril; G-11; G-Eleven; G-II; Gamophen; Gamophene; Germa-Medica; HCP; Hexa-Germ; Hexabalm; Hexachlorofen; Hexachlorophane; Hexachlorophen; Hexachlorophene; Hexachlorophene, Pharma; Hexafen; Hexascrub; Hexazinone; Hexide; Hexophene; Hexosan; Isobac; Isobac 20; NCI-C02653; Nabac; Nabac 25 Ec; Neosept V; Phiso-Scrub; Phisodan; Phisohex; Pre-Op; Rcra Waste Number U132; Ritosept; Scrubteam Surgical Spongebrush; Septi-Soft; Septisol; Septofen; Soy-Dome; Ster-Zac; Steral; Steraskin; Surgi-Cen; Surgi-Cin; Surofene; Tersaseptic; Trichlorophene; Turgex; UN 2875

Dosage Forms
LIQUID

Absorption
Detectable blood levels of hexachlorophene following absorption through intact skin have been found in subjects who regularly scrubbed with hexachlorophene.

Interactions
Interactions for Hexachlorophene:

No information available.

Chemical IUPAC Name
3,4,6-trichloro-2-[(2,3,5-trichloro-6-hydroxy-phenyl)methyl]phenol

Chemical Formula
C13H6Cl6O2

Half Life
Not Available

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00722

CAS Registry Number
70-30-4