PRECAUTIONS
Avoid accidental contact of pHisoHex with the eyes.
If contact occurs, promptly rinse thoroughly with water. To assist in the detection of ocular irritation,
applications to the head and periorbital skin areas should be performed only in responsive patients with
unanesthetized eyes.
RINSE THOROUGHLY AFTER USE, especially from sensitive areas such as the scrotum and
perineum.
pHisoHex is intended for external use only. If swallowed, pHisoHex is harmful, especially to infants
and children. pHis oHex should not be poured into meas uring cups, medicine bottles, or similar
containers since it may be mistaken for baby formula or other medications.
The Prescribing Physician Is Requested To Inform The Patient About The Following Precautionary Measures
pHisoHex must not be used on burned or denuded skin. Application to burns has produced
neurotoxicity and death.
pHisoHex must not be used for bathing infants (see WARNINGS). Infants may absorb the active
compound in pHisoHex more readily than older children and adults. Such absorption has been
associated with central nervous system effects such as convulsions.
pHisoHex must not be used as an occlusive dressing, wetpack, or lotion.
pHisoHex must not be used routinely for prophylactic total body bathing.
pHisoHex must not be used as a vaginal pack, or on any mucous membranes .
pHisoHex must not be used on persons with sensitivity to any of its components .
pHisoHex must not be used on persons who have demons trated primary light sensitivity to
halogenated phenol derivatives because of the possibility of cross -sensitivity to hexachlorophene.
pHisoHex should be kept out of the eyes. If contact occurs, the patient should rinse with cold water as
soon as possible and contact a physician.
pHisoHex should not be used in sensitive areas such as the scrotum and perineum. If contact occurs,
these areas should be rinsed thoroughly.
pHisoHex is for external use only.
If pHisoHex is inadvertently swallowed (see OVERDOSE), the patient should contact a physician or
Poison Control Center as soon as possible.
pHisoHex should not be poured into measuring cups, medicine bottles, or similar containers since it
may be mistaken for baby formula or other medications.
pHisoHex should be stopped and a physician should be contacted if irritation, sensitization, or allergic
reaction occurs.
pHisoHex should be used in pregnant women or nursing mothers only if the potential benefit justifies
the potential risk to the fetus or infant.
Hexachlorophene was tested in one experiment in rats by oral administration; it had no carcinogenic
effect.
Hexachlorophene was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium and was negative in a dominant lethal
assay in male mice. Cytogenetic tests with cultured human lymphocytes were also negative.
No case reports or epidemiological studies were available.
Topical exposure of neonatal rats to 3% hexachlorophene solution caused reduced fertility in 7-monthold
males, due to inability to ejaculate.
Placental transfer of hexachlorophene has been demonstrated in rats.
Hexachlorophene is embryotoxic and produces some teratogenic effects.
Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Hexachlorophene should be
used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies potential risk to the fetus.
Hexachlorophene has been shown to be teratogenic and embryotoxic in rats when given by mouth or
instilled into the vagina in large doses.
Administration of 500 mg/kg diet or 20 to 30 mg/kg bw/day by gavage to rats caused some
malformations (angulated ribs, cleft palate, micro- and anophthalmia) and reduction in litter size.
Placental transfer and excretion in milk of hexachlorophene has been demonstrated in rats.
In another study, doses of up to 50 mg/kg diet failed to produce any effects in 3 generations of rats.
Hexachlorophene did not interfere with reproduction in hamsters.
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human
milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from hexachlorophene,
a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug taking into account
the importance of the drug to the mother.
pHisoHex must not be used for bathing infants (see WARNINGS). Infants may absorb the active
compound in pHisoHex more readily than older children and adults. Such absorption has been
associated with central nervous system effects such as convulsions. For premature infants: see WARNINGS.
Clinical studies of pHisoHex did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to
determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience
has not identified differences in response between the elderly and younger patients. In general, use in
elderly patients should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of dermatological disease,
peripheral circulatory disease, and decreased propensity for wound healing in this group. In addition,
use in elderly patients should take into account any decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, as well
as any concomitant disease or other drug therapy.