Product Code Database
Hexachlorophene, also known as Nabac, is an organochlorine compound that was once widely used as a disinfectant. The compound occurs as a white odorless solid, although commercial samples can be off-white and possess a slightly odor. It is insoluble in water but dissolves in acetone, ethanol, diethyl ether, and chloroform. In medicine, hexachlorophene is useful as a topical anti-infective and anti-bacterial agent. It is also used in agriculture as a soil fungicide, plant bactericide, and acaricide. (2025). 9783527306732, Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527306732
Several companies manufactured over-the-counter preparations which utilised hexachlorophene in their formulations. One product, Baby Magic Bath by The Mennen Company, was recalled in 1971, and removed from retail distribution.
Two commercial preparations using hexachlorophene, Phisoderm and pHisoHex, were widely used as antibacterial skin cleansers in the treatment of acne, (with pHisoDerm developed for those allergic to the active ingredients in pHisoHex). During the 1960s, both were available over the counter in the US. After the ban, pHisoDerm was reformulated without hexachlorophene, and continued to be sold over-the-counter, while pHisoHex, (which contained 3% hexachlorophene - 3 times the legal limit imposed in 1972), became available as a prescription body wash. In the European Community countries during the 1970s and 1980s, pHisoHex remained available over the counter. A related product, pHisoAc, was used as a facial to dry and peel away acne lesions whilst pHiso-Scrub, a hexachlorophene-impregnated sponge for scrubbing, has since been discontinued. Several substitute products (including triclosan) were developed, but none had the germ-killing capability of hexachlorophene. (Sanofi-Aventis became the sole European manufacturer of pHisoHex, while Mentholatum owns the pHisoDerm brand today. Sanofi-Aventis discontinued production of several forms of pHisoHex in August 2009 and discontinued all production of pHisoHex in September 2013).
The formula for Dial soap was modified to remove hexachlorophene after the FDA ended over-the-counter availability in 1972.
Bristol-Myers discontinued Ipana toothpaste brand at one time contained hexachlorophene. Another U.S.A. brand of toothpaste containing hexachlorophene in the early 1960's was Stripe.
Germany
In Germany, cosmetics containing hexachlorophene have been banned since 1985.
Austria
In Austria, the sale of drugs containing the substance has been banned since 1990. Rechtsinformationssystem des österreichischen Bundeskanzleramtes
Trade names
Trade names for hexachlorophene include: Acigena, Almederm, AT7 (dial soap), AT17, Bilevon, Exofene, Fostril, Gamophen, G-11, Germa-Medica, Hexosan, K-34, Septisol, Surofene, M3.
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