Benzyl benzoate

Absorption

No data are available on percutaneous absorption of benzyl benzoate. Some older studies have suggested some percutaneous absorption, however the amount was not quantified.

Toxicity

Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 1680 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 4000 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include blister formation, crusting, itching, oozing, reddening, or scaling of skin; difficulty in urinating (dribbling); jerking movements; sudden loss of consciousness.

Description

Benzyl benzoate is the ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid, with the formula C₆H₅CH₂O₂CC₆H₅. This easily prepared compound with a mild balsamic odor has a variety of uses.Benzyl benzoate (BB) is one of the oldest drugs used for the treatment of scabies and is recommended as the “first-line intervention” for the cost-effective treatment of the disease.

The Uses of Benzyl benzoate

benzyl benzoate is an anti-microbial. It can also act as a solvent, helping dissolve other substances in the product, and as a perfuming ingredient. It is the ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid.

Indications

Used to kill lice and the mites responsible for the skin condition scabies.

Background

Benzyl benzoate is one of the older preparations used to treat scabies. Scabies is a skin infection caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei. It is characterised by severe itching (particularly at night), red spots, and may lead to a secondary infection. Benzyl benzoate is lethal to this mite and so is useful in the treatment of scabies. It is also used to treat lice infestation of the head and body. Benzyl benzoate is not the treatment of choice for scabies due to its irritant properties.

What are the applications of Application

Benzyl benzoate is an antiparasitic, insecticidal agent

Pharmacokinetics

Benzyl benzoate is one of the older preparations used to treat scabies. Scabies is a skin infection caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei. It is characterised by severe itching (particularly at night), red spots, and may lead to a secondary infection. Benzyl benzoate is lethal to this mite and so is useful in the treatment of scabies. It is also used to treat lice infestation of the head and body. Benzyl benzoate is not the treatment of choice for scabies due to its irritant properties.

Metabolism

Rapidly hydrolyzed to benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol, which is further oxidized to benzoic acid. The benzoic acid is conjugated with glycine to form hippuric acid.