n-Docosanol

Absorption

Topical absorption has been shown to be minimal under conditions reflecting normal clinical use.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include headache, abdominal pain, increased serum lipase, nausea, dyspepsia, dizziness, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Chemical properties

1-DOCOSANOL is white powder

The Uses of n-Docosanol

n-Docosanol is a binder and an emulsion stabilizer. It is also used to increase a formulation’s viscosity. This is a mixture of fatty alcohols. behenyl alcohol may be used for any number of purposes in a cosmetic formulation, including as an emollient, a binder, an emulsion stabilizer, or to increase a product’s viscosity. It may be derived either synthetically or from plants.

The Uses of n-Docosanol

antiviral

The Uses of n-Docosanol

1-Docosanol works as a surfactant in cosmetics. 1-Docosanol cream has also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a safe and effective topical treatment for herpes labialis

Background

Docosanol is a drug used for topical treatment for recurrent herpes simplex labialis episodes (episodes of cold sores or fever blisters). A saturated 22-carbon aliphatic alcohol, docosanol exhibits antiviral activity against many lipid enveloped viruses including herpes simplex virus (HSV). Docosanol inhibits fusion between the plasma membrane and the herpes simplex virus (HSV) envelope, thereby preventing viral entry into cells and subsequent viral replication.

Indications

For the topical treatment of recurrent oral-facial herpes simplex episodes (cold sores or fever blisters).

Definition

1-DOCOSANOL is a long-chain, saturated fatty alcohol.

Indications

Docosanol (Abreva) is a long-chain saturated alcohol that is clinically effective against HSV. It has in vitro activity against many enveloped viruses, including CMV, influenzavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
Docosanol is not directly virucidal; instead, it blocks the entry of the virion into the host cell by inhibiting the fusion of the viral envelope with the host plasma membrane. Because it does not affect viral replication or protein production, it may be less susceptible to the development of resistance than other antiviral drugs.

General Description

1-Docosanol inhibits replication of certain viruses (herpes simplex virus and respiratory syncytial virus) within primary target cells in vitro. It has been isolated from Clematis brevicaudata.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Pharmaceutical Applications

1-DOCOSANOL is a 22-carbon straight chain alcohol licensed for over-thecounter sales for the topical treatment of herpes labialis. It is thought to act by blocking viral fusion with the host cell, although definitive studies are lacking. The clinical relevance of the antiviral activity has been debated and the place of this medication as a treatment of herpes labialis remains to be established.

Pharmacokinetics

Docosanol is a saturated 22-carbon aliphatic alcohol which exhibits antiviral activity against many lipid enveloped viruses including herpes simplex virus (HSV). Docosanol speeds the healing of cold sores and fever blisters on the face or lips. It also relieves the accompanying symptoms, including tingling, pain, burning, and itching. Docosanol cannot, however, prevent cold sores or fever blisters from appearing.

Clinical Use

Docosanol cream is approved for the over-the-counter treatment of herpes labialis. It shortens the duration of symptoms of cold sores and fever blisters but does not provide symptomatic relief.

Side Effects

Adverse effects of docosanol are minimal. Skin irritation occurs infrequently. Drug interactions are not anticipated.

Metabolism

Not Available

Purification Methods

Crystallise docosanol from ether or chloroform/ether. [Beilstein 1 IV 1906.]