glycerinated phenol

Glycerinated phenol is a pharmaceutical preparation combining phenol and glycerin, often with saline. Phenol acts as an antiseptic and local anesthetic by denaturing proteins and disrupting cellular membranes, forming hydrogen bonds with protein and lipid molecules, which destabilizes cell walls and membranes leading to cell lysis. It also interferes with nerve signal transmission, blocking nerve impulses to provide an anesthetic effect. Glycerin, a trihydroxy alcohol, functions as a humectant by attracting and retaining moisture, and also serves as a solvent. In clinical settings, glycerinated phenol is notably used as a negative control in skin prick tests for allergy diagnosis, ensuring that any skin reaction is due to the allergen and not non-specific irritation from the solution or the testing procedure. Beyond allergy testing, it is also utilized as an oral anesthetic/analgesic and demulcent for temporary relief of sore throat and mouth pain, and in ear drops for ear pain.

Other names

glycerinated phenol saline solutionphenol glycerinphenol glycerin sprayphenol-glycerolglycerin/phenol sprayphenol glycerin ear drops