Phisohex (Hexachlorophene)

What is Phisohex?

Phisohex (hexachlorophene) is a topical skin cleanser that kills certain types of bacteria.

What is Phisohex used for?

Phisohex is used to avert the growth and spread of bacterial infection on the skin before surgery. It is also used to help prevent passing germs to others.

How does Phisohex work?

Phisohex acts as a detergent and cleans and prepares the skin for surgery. It works by killing the bacteria on the skin and helps spread of the infection during the surgery.

How to use Phisohex

Phisohex must be applied on wet skin and worked up in a foamy lather. Once this is done, wash the affected area with the lather. Rinse the area immediately and thoroughly with water so as to not leave any remnants of the medicine on the skin.

Do not leave Phisohex on skin or cover it with plastic or waterproof bandages.

Use it only on normal skin and not on broken, reddened, cut, bruised, burnt, scraped skin. Do not use it on mucous membranes of the body like the vagina, rectum and the inner side of the nose.

Phisohex warnings and precautions

Do not use Phisohex if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or if you have any other allergies.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to other halogenated phenols like chlorocresol, trichlorophenol and lanolin.

Before using Phisohex, tell your doctor if you have suffered from Itchthyosis congenita, Letterer Siwe, eczema, psoriasis, dryness or scaling of the skin.

Cover yourself well while you are using Phisohex as it increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight or artificial UV rays. Wear a protective sunscreen when you go out in the sun.

Abstain from smoking and drinking.

Use Phisohex with caution if you are using it on young children. Make sure they don’t ingest it. Use with caution on the elderly as they are more prone to absorbing the medicine and then suffering from liver and kidney disorders, or delayed wound healing etc.

During pregnancy, you must use Phisohex only if needed. Nursing mothers should consult their doctor before using Phisohex to check if it passes through the breast milk and if it could harm the nursing child.

What do I do if I have missed a Phisohex dose?

If you have missed a dose of Phisohex, use it when you remember and do not double up the amount.

What do I do if I have taken a Phisohex overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Phisohex, consult the nearest poison control center.

Phisohex interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines that have been prescribed for your skin problems, before using Phisohex. If you are using herbal products, inform your doctor with immediate effect.  Do not use any medicated skin ointment without checking with the doctor or checking its ingredients. They can contain the same medicine and can increase the chances of an overdose of Phisohex.

Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine while using this medicated wash.

Phisohex side effects

Seek immediate medical help if you notice rash, itching and swelling of the face, tongue, or throat. These side effects of Phisohex must never be ignored.

Some of the more common Phisohex side effects include a mild tingly feeling, mild itching and warm skin.

Consult the doctor if you experience dryness, scaling and redness on the skin; extreme fatigue, drowsiness, mental and mood disorders. These are rare but serious side effects from Phisohex.