Phenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is active against a wide range of micro-organisms including some fungi and viruses, but is only slowly effective against spores. Phenol has been used to disinfect skin and to relieve itching. Phenol is also used as an oral analgesic or anesthetic in products such as Chloraseptic to treat pharyngitis. Additionally, phenol and its related compounds are used in surgical ingrown toenail treatment, a process termed phenolization. Research indicates that parental exposure to phenol and its related compounds are positively associated with spontaneous abortion. During the second world war, phenol injections were used as a means of execution by the Nazis. Phenol is a toxic compound whose vapours are corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Synonyms
Oxybenzene
Karbolsäure
Phenol
Phenylic alcohol
Phenic Acid
Monohydroxybenzene
Carbolic acid
Acide phénique
Phenylic acid
PHOH
Acide carbolique
Phenyl hydroxide
Carbolsäure
Hydroxybenzene
Benzenol
Phenyl alcohol
Fenol
Brand Names
CareOne Cold Sore Treatment
Sting Kure - Liq
Walgreens Camphor Phenol Gel
Vicks Formula 44 Sore Throat
NICE SORE THROAT Spearmint
HEB Sore Throat Cherry Flavor
First Aid
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Sore Throat
Vida Mia Instant Antiseptic Pain Relief
Cepastat Extra Strength
Chapstick Medicated Lip Balm - Jar
Cold Sore Treatment
CVS Health Sore Throat Fast Relief Oral Anesthetic
Campho Phenique Cold Sore Treatment
Labisan Cold Sore
Instant Antiseptic Pain Relief
Absorbine Jr Pro Cream
CVS Health Maximum Strength Sore Throat Fast Relief
Phenol is primarily indicated for minor sore throat pain, sore mouth, minor mouth irritation, and pain associated with canker sores. Additionally, phenol is indicated in the treatment of focal spasticity.
Categories
Anesthetics
Anesthetics, Local
Anti-Infective Agents
Anti-Infective Agents, Local
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Antivaricose Therapy
Benzene Derivatives
Cardiovascular Agents
Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682