Phenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant used in a variety of settings. It is active against a wide range of micro-organisms including some fungi and viruses, but is only slowly effective against spores.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Phenol is a potent proteolytic agent. Concentrations in the 5% to 7% range dissolve tissue on contact via proteolysis. In high concentrations when injected next to a nerve, phenol produces a chemical neurolysis which is nonselective across nerve fiber size and most prominent on its outer aspect. Local anesthetic effects occur within 5-10 minutes.
- Primary indication
- Phenol is primarily indicated for minor sore throat pain, sore mouth, minor mouth irritation, and pain associated with canker sores.Curator reviewed · 9 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C6H6O · 94.1112 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1996 · United States, 1974
- Also known as
- Benzenol · Carbolic acid · Hydroxybenzene · Monohydroxybenzene · Oxybenzene
- Code names
- ENT-1814 · NSC-36808
Resolves to
ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESOC1=CC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Phenol, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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