Amylmetacresol

Absorption

Rapidly absorbed and eliminated .

Toxicity

Oral LD50: 1500 mg/kg (rat)
Adverse effects include hypersensitivity reactions, tongue soreness .
Occasionally, hypersensitivity reactions may occur, manifested by digestive problems such as nausea or dyspepsia. This is extremely rare .
In the case of overdose, management should be symptomatic. In cases of severe overdosage, gastric lavage may be warranted to empty the stomach contents. Saline laxatives and activated charcoal may be administered orally .

Chemical properties

Clear or almost clear liquid, or solid crystalline mass, colourless or slightly yellow when freshly prepared. The substance changes colour during storage by darkening and/or discolouration to dark yellow, brownish-yellow or pink.

The Uses of Amylmetacresol

Antiseptic. Amylmetacresol is an antiseptic available in Canada over-the-counter in a number of lozenges for the treatment of sore throat and minor mouth infections,. Amylmetacresol is often combined with dichlorobenzyl alcohol and menthol in the commonly used sore throat lozenges, known as Strepsils. The acute sore throat (pharyngitis) is one of the most common conditions for which children are seen in the primary care setting. Pharyngitis is normally caused by viruses and proves benign and self-limiting. Clinically proven, over-the-counter throat lozenges offer rapid and effective relief of acute sore throat symptoms, and are increasingly important in the management of this condition.

Background

Amylmetacresol is an antiseptic available in Canada over-the-counter in a number of lozenges for the treatment of sore throat and minor mouth infections , . Amylmetacresol is often combined with dichlorobenzyl alcohol and menthol in the commonly used sore throat lozenges, known as Strepsils .
The acute sore throat (pharyngitis) is one of the most common conditions for which children are seen in the primary care setting. Pharyngitis is normally caused by viruses and proves benign and self-limiting. Clinically proven, over-the-counter throat lozenges offer rapid and effective relief of acute sore throat symptoms, and are increasingly important in the management of this condition .

Indications

Sore throat, minor mouth and throat infections , , .

Definition

ChEBI: Amylmetacresol is a phenol having the structure of m-cresol substituted at the 6-position with an amyl group. It has a role as an antiseptic drug. It derives from a m-cresol.

Pharmacokinetics

The mixture of amylmetacresol throat lozenge medications markedly reduces the infectivity of certain infectious viruses in the throat and in cough droplets, thus reducing opportunities for person-to-person transmission . In addition, it relieves symptoms of sore throat/irritation of the throat , .
Amylmetacresol is thought to inhibit the inflammatory and pain mediators that are involved in the inflammation of the mouth and throat mucous membranes, as well as the sore throat .

Metabolism

Not Available

Mode of action

The mechanism of virucidal action is not fully elucidated, however it is suggested that denaturation of external protein spikes, a pH-induced rearrangement of the tertiary structure of attachment proteins, or a selective effect on viral lipid membranes/protein–lipid interaction is responsible for this action. Amylmetacresol is an antibacterial and antiviral agent, and blocks voltage-gated Na channels in a local anesthetic-like manner.