Hexachlorophene toxicity

Hexachlorophene in vaginal lubricants is variably absorbed from the vaginal mucosa, and hexachlorophene can be identified in maternal and cord serum in an appreciable number of women in whom vaginal examinations during labor were carried out with a hexachlorophene-containing antiseptic lubricant (25). Because of the potential for neonatal hexachlorophene toxicity, the use of alternative lubricants for pelvic examinations is recommended. 

Delcour-Firquet MP. La toxicite de I hexachlorophene. [Toxicity of hexachlorophene.] Arch Belg Med Soc 1980 38(l) l-43. 

Mullick FG. Hexachlorophene toxicity. Human experience at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Pediatrics 1973 51(2) 395-9. 

United States Hexachlorophene After years of bathing infants in 3 percent hexachlorophene, the disinfectant is found to be toxic to the nervous system and other systems... 

Percutaneous drug absorption can present special problems in newborns, especially in preterm infants. While the skin of a newborn term infant may have the same protective capacity as the skin of an adult, a preterm infant will not have this protective barrier until after 2 to 3 weeks of life. Excessive percutaneous absorption has caused significant toxicity to preterm babies. Absorption of hexachlorophene soap used to bathe newborns has resulted in brain damage and death. Aniline dyes on hospital linen have caused cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia, and EMLA (lidocaine/prilocaine) cream may cause methemoglobinemia when administered to infants less than 3 months of age. 

Niclofolan is a nitrosubstituted analogue of hexachlorophen. It is highly effective against adult flukes in sheep, cattle, and swine at dosages of 3-5 mg/ kg bw. Toxicity can occur at two times the recommended dosage rate. Although niclofolan can be administered subcutaneously in sheep, it is usually administered orally as a drench or in bolus forms. 

The findings of toxic leukoencephalopathy in this patient s brain-imaging studies were similar to those reported in patients who have inhaled impure heroin. However, he had used intravenous heroin and cocaine. This is therefore the first case report of leukoencephalopathy after intravenous use of these drugs. However, it should be noted that the authors did not indicate how the route of drug use was confirmed. They noted that lipophilic substances, such as hexachlorophene or triethylthin, were likely impurities in the abused substances. 

As a result of investigations of the toxicity of hexachlorophene in animals and reports of accidental intoxication in France, the FDA in 1972 banned all nonprescription uses of this drug, restricting hexachlorophene to prescription use only, as a surgical scrub and hand-wash product for health-care personnel. Hexachlorophene was... 

A critical review of the available data on the risk of hexachlorophene bathing or other kinds of hexachlorophene use in neonatal skin care has suggested that there is ample evidence of the toxic potential of this disinfectant. It is absolutely contraindicated in infants with a low birth weight (under 2000 g), excoriated areas of the skin, and raised serum bilirubin. The use of a dusting powder with a maximal concentration of 0.3-0.5% seems to be connected with a lower risk of toxicity, but there was marked absorption of hexachlorophene after the application of 0.33% hexachlorophene dusting powder (20) and further information is needed about the pharmacokinetics of hexachlorophene in neonates. 

Chung HL, Tsao WC, Hsue HC, Kuo CH, Ko HY, Mo PS, Chang HY, Chuo HT, Chou WH. Hexachlorophene (G-11) as a new specific drug against clonorchiasis sinensis its efficacy and toxicity in experimental and human infection. Chin Med J (Engl) 1963 82 691-701. 

Wear JB Jr, Shanahan R, Ratliff RK. Toxicity of ingested hexachlorophene. JAMA 1962 181 587-9. 

Also, long-term toxic effects of talc contaminated with large quantities of hexachlorophene caused serious irreversible neurotoxicity in infants accidentally exposed to the substance. ... 

Hexachlorophene is very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term effects in the aquatic environment. 

Hexachlorophene is combustible and can give off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases), including hydrogen chloride, if heated or burned in a fire. Hexachlorophene evaporates negligibly at 20°C. However, a harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly on spraying or when dispersed as dust. 

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