Hexachlorophene

Class: Local Anti-infectives, Miscellaneous
ATC Class: D08AE01
VA Class: DE400
Chemical Name: Phenol, 2,2’-methylenebis[3,4,6-trichloro-]
Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₆Cl₆O₂
CAS Number: 70-30-4
Brands: pHisoHex

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 21, 2021. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Antibacterial.

Uses for Hexachlorophene

Surgical Hand Antisepsis

Used by health-care personnel as a preoperative hand scrub to prevent spreading of cutaneous microorganisms from hands and forearms during surgery.

Antiseptic Skin Cleanser

Used topically as a disinfectant by health-care personnel, food handlers, and other individuals who are in a position to spread infection from their hands.

Used topically to control cutaneous gram-positive infections where other infection control procedures have been unsuccessful. Use only as long as necessary for infection control.

Not indicated for bathing infants as prophylaxis against staphylococcal infections because of serious adverse effects. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Hexachlorophene Dosage and Administration

Administration

Topical Administration

Apply topically to skin as a 3% emulsion.

For external use only; avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly. Do not apply to mucous membranes.

Rinse thoroughly after use.

Apply to the head and periorbital skin areas only in responsive patients with unanesthetized eyes.

Do not pour into measuring cups, medicine bottles, or similar containers since they may be mistaken for baby formula or other medications.

Dosage

Adults

Surgical Hand Antisepsis

Topical

Wet hands and forearms with water. Apply approximately 5 mL of emulsion onto hands and rub into a copious lather by adding small amounts of water. Spread suds over hands and forearms and scrub well with a wet brush for 3 minutes. Pay particular attention to nails and interdigital spaces; a separate nail cleanser may be used. After scrubbing, rinse hands and forearms thoroughly under running water. Apply a second 5-mL application and scrub hands and forearms for an additional 3 minutes. Rinse hands and forearms thoroughly with running water and dry.

For additional surgical scrubs during the same day, repeat above procedure using 5 mL for 3 minutes only. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry.

Antiseptic Skin Cleanser

Topical

Wet hands with water; apply approximately 5 mL into the palm, work up a lather with water, and apply to area to be cleansed. Rinse thoroughly after each washing.

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.

Cautions for Hexachlorophene

Contraindications

• Application to burned or denuded skin.

• Use as an occlusive dressing, wet pack, or lotion.

• Routine prophylactic total body bathing.

• Use as a vaginal pack or tampon, or on any mucous membranes.

• Known primary light sen...