Cetyl alcohol, also known as 1-hexadecanol or n-hexadecyl alcohol, is a 16-C fatty alcohol with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)15OH. It can be produced from the reduction of palmitic acid. Cetyl... Cetyl alcohol is present in a waxy white powder or flake form at room temperature, and is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohols and oils.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 3 references
Cetyl alcohol has hydrating properties that makes it a suitable emulsifier and stabilizer in pharmaceutical formulations. It is also present in washable ointment base due to its dispersant abilities and stabilizing properties. Potential antimicrobial activity of cetyl alcohol may be due to a change in cell membrane permeability that either blocks absorption of essential nutrients and induction of outward diffusion vital cellular components. This proposed mechanism of action is thought to be similar for other long-chain aliphatic alcohols with same antimicrobial activity, such as myristyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol.
- Primary indication
- No therapeutic indications in medicinal products.Curator reviewed · 1 structured indication
- Formula / weight
- C16H34O · 242.4406 g/mol (avg)
- Also known as
- palmityl alcohol
- Code names
- FEMA NO. 2554 · NSC-4194
Resolves to
BXWNKGSJHAJOGX-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOWhat you can answer from here — as of October 18, 2026
Which other approved drugs treat the same conditions as Cetyl alcohol, and which companies have late-stage candidates in those indications?
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