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
Acide phénique
Oxybenzene
Phenyl alcohol
Benzenol
Phenyl hydroxide
Monohydroxybenzene
Phenylic alcohol
Karbolsäure
Carbolsäure
Phenic Acid
Phenol
Fenol
Acide carbolique
Phenylic acid
Carbolic acid
Hydroxybenzene
PHOH
Brand Names
Sore Throat
Smart Sense Sore Throat
Diluent for Allergenic Extract Sterile Normal Saline With Phenol (0.4%)
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
