hexachlorophene

Description

Hexachlorophene is a synthetic antimicrobial agent that was widely used in soaps and other personal care products. It is a white, crystalline solid that is practically insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Hexachlorophene was first synthesized in 1930 and its antibacterial properties were discovered shortly after. It was initially used as a surgical scrub and for the treatment of skin infections. However, due to concerns about its toxicity, its use has been significantly restricted in many countries. Hexachlorophene is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It works by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane. However, hexachlorophene can be absorbed through the skin and can cause neurological damage, particularly in infants and young children. There have been reports of serious neurological disorders, including encephalopathy and death, associated with hexachlorophene exposure. As a result of these concerns, the use of hexachlorophene in personal care products has been largely discontinued. However, it is still used in some medical settings, such as in the treatment of acne and in certain surgical procedures. Hexachlorophene is studied because of its unique antimicrobial properties and its potential for use in developing new antimicrobial agents. However, its toxicity remains a major concern. Research is ongoing to develop safer alternatives to hexachlorophene for use in both medical and consumer products.'

Hexachlorophene: A chlorinated bisphenol antiseptic with a bacteriostatic action against Gram-positive organisms, but much less effective against Gram-negative organisms. It is mainly used in soaps and creams and is an ingredient of various preparations used for skin disorders. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p797) [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]

hexachlorophene : An organochlorine compound that is diphenylmethane in which each of the phenyl groups is substituted by chlorines at positions 2, 3, and 5, and by a hydroxy group at position 6. An antiseptic that is effective against Gram-positive organisms, it is used in soaps and creams for the treatment of various skin disorders. It is also used in agriculture as an acaricide and fungicide, but is not approved for such use within the European Union. [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]