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menthol (Biofreeze)
A terpene alcohol obtained from peppermint oil or synthesized from inorganic compounds.
Uses:
1) antipruritic agent
2) topical anesthetic
3) topical agent for upper respiratory tract infection
- along with menthol & eucalyptus oil, component of Vicks Vaporub
4) in nasal spraysm cough drops & inhalers
5) as a flavoring agent
Adverse effects:
- although menthol is preceived as increased airflow across the nostrils, nasal airflow resistance is acutally increased within a minute of menthol application & this effect persists for > 3 hours
- inhalation of menthol may result in aspiration, apnea, laryngoconstriction, nausea, ataxia, confusion, euphoria
Mechanism of action:
- binds to a receptor causing intracellular influx of Ca+2
- responsible for the feeling of congestion relief in Vicks VapoRub
General
alcohol
antipruritic agent
topical anesthetic
Properties
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM correlations
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.
- Prescriber's Letter 16(3): 2009
Vicks VapoRub Safety and Children
Detail-Document#: 250322
(subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com
Component-of
allantoin/camphor/hexylresorcinol/menthol
allantoin/camphor/menthol/phenol
allantoin/dimethicone/menthol
allantoin/lidocaine/menthol
allantoin/menthol
alpha tocopherol/menthol
alpha tocopherol/menthol/nonivamide/salicylate
aspirin/camphor/menthol/methyl salicylate
aspirin/menthol
benzalkonium/benzocaine/menthol
benzalkonium/benzocaine/menthol/zinc chloride
benzalkonium/menthol/white petrolatum
benzethonium/benzocaine/menthol
benzocaine/cetylpyridinium/menthol (Cepacol)
benzocaine/cetylpyridinium/menthol/zinc chloride
benzocaine/dextromethorphan/menthol
benzocaine/menthol
benzocaine/menthol/methyl salicylate
benzyl alcohol/camphor/menthol
benzyl alcohol/camphor/menthol/zinc acetate
benzyl alcohol/menthol
borneol/menthol
calamine/menthol/petrolatum/zinc oxide
calamine/menthol/white petrolatum/zinc oxide
calamine/menthol/zinc oxide
camphor/capsaicin/eucalyptus oil/menthol/methyl salicylate
camphor/capsaicin/menthol
camphor/capsaicin/menthol/methyl salicylate
camphor/capsaicin/menthol/methyl salicylate/peppermint oil/zinc oxide
camphor/capsicum/menthol
camphor/capsicum/menthol/methyl salicylate
camphor/dimethicone/menthol/phenol
camphor/eucalyptus oil/menthol/methyl salicylate
camphor/eucalyptus oil/menthol/peppermint oil/thymol
camphor/eucalyptus/menthol
camphor/histamine/menthol
camphor/menthol
camphor/menthol/methyl salicylate
camphor/menthol/methylsulfonylmethane/methyl salicylate
camphor/menthol/petrolatum
camphor/menthol/petrolatum/phenol
camphor/menthol/phenol
camphor/menthol/tetracaine
camphor/menthol/turpentine
camphor/menthol/white petrolatum
capsaicin/histamine/menthol
capsaicin/lidocaine/menthol
capsaicin/lidocaine/menthol/methyl salicylate
capsaicin/menthol
capsaicin/menthol/methyl salicylate
capsicum/eucalyptus oil/menthol/methyl salicylate
capsicum/menthol
capsicum/menthol/methyl salicylate
chloroxylenol/iodine/menthol
clove oil/eucalyptus oil/menthol
coal tar/menthol
coal tar/menthol/salicylic acid
cortisol/hexachlorophene/menthol
dextromethorphan/menthol
dextromethorphan/menthol/phenylephrine
diclofenac/lidocaine/menthol
dimethicone/menthol
dimethicone/menthol/pramoxine
diphenhydramine/menthol
dyclonine/menthol
dyclonine/menthol/pectin
ethanol/menthol
eucalyptol/menthol/methyl salicylate/thymol
eucalyptus oil/menthol
hexylresorcinol/menthol
histamine/menthol
lanolin/menthol/zinc oxide
lidocaine/menthol
lidocaine/menthol/methyl salicylate
menthol/methyl salicylate
menthol/methyl salicylate/thymol
menthol/oatmeal
menthol/panthenol
menthol/pectin
menthol/peruvian balsam
menthol/petrolatum/zinc oxide
menthol/phenol
menthol/pramoxine
menthol/pramoxine/white petrolatum
menthol/sodium chloride
menthol/sodium fluoride/thymol
menthol/white petrolatum
menthol/zinc oxide
menthol/zinc/zinc oxide