Hexachlorophene

Hexachlorophene, also known as Nabac, is an antiseptic agent. The compound occurs as a white to light tan crystalline powder which is either odourless or produces a slightly phenolic odour. In medicine, hexachlorophene is very useful as a topical anti-infective, anti-bacterial agent, often used in soaps. It is also used in agriculture as a soil fungicide, plant bactericide, and acaricide.

Two companies had over the counter brands available. The Mennen company, Morristown, NJ, had Baby Magic Bath. Mennen had a product recall, where all bottles were taken off retail shelves. Right after the withdrawal, there was an outbreak of Staphylococcus infections in hospitals all over the USA.

During the 1960s, a commercial preparation of the drug, pHisoHex, was available over the counter. pHisoHex was widely used as a very effective antibacterial skin cleanser in the treatment of acne. A related product, pHisoAc, was used as a skin mask to dry and peel away acne lesions.

In 1969, hexachlorophene became suspected of causing cancer. In 1972, a study by Dr. Cyril Moore and his research assistant Dr. Wendy Cammar suggested that hexachlorophene in the liquid cleaner Phisohex (up to then widely used in newborn nurseries) was toxic to mitochondria, inhibited ATP production in the brain, and resulted in myelin oedema. Around 1973, it was withdrawn from over-the-counter sales as a treatment for acne and became a prescription drug. It was later determined not to cause cancer. Nevertheless, hexachlorophene soap is still not available over the counter today because once a product has been withdrawn by the FDA, it is virtually impossible for it to be reinstated even after invalidation of the reasons for its removal. Possibly because of the previous questions concerning its effects, most dermatologists today do not prescribe it for acne treatment.

Several substitute products (including triclosan) were developed, but none had the germ killing capability of hexachlorophene.

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