hexachlorophene

hexachlorophene /hexa·chlo·ro·phene/ (hek″sah-klor´o-fēn) an antibacterial effective against gram-positive organisms; used as a local antiseptic and detergent for application to the skin.

---

hex·a·chlo·ro·phene (hks-klôr-fn) or hex·a·chlo·ro·phane (-fn)

n.

An almost odorless white powder that is used as a disinfectant and as an antibacterial agent in soaps.

---

hexachlorophene

[hek′səklôr′əfēn]

a topical bacteriostatic cleansing agent.

indications It is used as an antiseptic scrub and as a disinfectant to clean inanimate objects of gram-positive bacteria. It is not effective against gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli.

contraindications Known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its use. Systemic absorption can occur when it is used on burns, broken skin, mucous membranes, and infant skin, with hemotoxic effects. Hexachlorophene washing of disposable gloves prior to reusing them is not recommended; if reusing gloves is absolutely necessary, chlorhexidine 4% liquid soap or povidone-iodine 7.5% liquid soap are far superior choices.

adverse effects Among the more serious adverse reactions are skin rash and neurologic abnormalities.

note The skin should be rinsed thoroughly to prevent systemic absorption.

---

hexachlorophene, hexachlorophane

a compound used as a tenicide in poultry, a fasciolicide in cattle, and as a germicidal agent in soaps and dermatological preparations. Causes poisoning in sheep, cattle, cats and puppies at relatively small doses and the low safety margin has limited its use in other species. Signs of toxicity in cattle include nystagmus, tremor, opisthotonos; in sheep the signs are anorexia, diarrhea, recumbency and atrophy of seminiferous tubules. Dogs and cats may die suddenly after large doses, or show cerebellar signs with chronic exposure.

---

hexachlorophene

An antibacterial used as a pre-operative scrub solution and detergent