Dettol

Uses

Disinfectant for skin and gloved hands; obstetrics, antiseptic lubricant for vaginal examinations and on forceps; for hand antisepsis .

Dettol is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Skin Infections, Oral Hygiene, Skin disinfection

How Dettol works

As a phenol antiseptic, it is believed that the hydroxyl -OH groups of the chloroxylenol molecule binds to certain proteins on the cell membrane of bacteria, and disrupts the membrane so as to allow the contents of the bacterial cell to leak out . This allows chloroxylenol to enter the bacterial cell to bind further with more proteins and enzymes to disable the cell's functioning . At particularly high concentrations of chloroxylenol, the protein and nucleic acid content of targeted bacterial cells become coagulated and cease to function, leading to rapid cell death .

Dosage

Dettol dosage

Wash with one table spoonful of Dettol to a tumbler of water (1 in 13) for urgent application, undiluted Dettol may be used but not in a sensitive skin.

Side Effects

Skin sensitivity; irritation of conjunctiva, mucosal irritation; reversible brown staining of the teeth; tongue discoloration and burning sensation; transient taste disturbance; parotid gland swelling.

Toxicity

As chloroxylenol is predominantly employed as an active ingredient in various liquids or creams as cleaners, disinfectants, or antiseptics that are generally designed to be used topically, it is widely accepted that the use of such liquids - when used appropriately - is unlikely to present a sufficient volume that could be ingested to cause any medical problems . In the event of accidental eye contact, was with Luke warm water .

Dettol is known to have a low systemic toxicity, even at dosage levels many times higher that those likely to be absorbed during normal usage of the agent .

Precaution

Condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days

Interaction

There are no known drug interactions and none well documented.

Food Interaction

Volume of Distribution

The only data available regarding the volume of distribution of chloroxylenol is the mean Vss of 22.45 L determined after 200 mg intravenous single dose of chloroxylenol was administered to healthy mongrel dog subjects .

Elimination Route

No chloroxylenol was detected in the blood following the dermal administration of 2 g of p-chloroxylenol in an ethanol/olive oil vehicle in human subjects . After a dose of 5 g, only traces were found, after 8 g, 1 mg % (1 mg/dL) was found in the blood after 3 hours, and 4 mg % (4 mg/dL) after 24 hours . After a dose of 20 g, 4 mg % (4 mg/dL) was measured after half an hour, and 1 mg % (1 mg/dL) was present at 72 hours .

For antiseptic purposes, chloroxylenol is considered to be well-absorbed when applied to the skin .

Half Life

One study estimated the mean terminal half-life and mean residence time after a 200 mg intravenous single dose of chloroxylenol in healthy mongrel dog subjects to be 1.7 and 1.69 hours, respectively . Alternatively, some product monographs liken chloroxylenol to a similar liquid antiseptic, triclosan, whose calculated urinary excretion half-life in man is approximately 10 hours .

Clearance

The only data available regarding the clearance of chloroxylenol is the mean clearance rate of 13.76 L/hr following a 200 mg intravenous single dose of the substance into healthy mongrel dog subjects .

Moreover, in another study, when 8 g of chloroxylenol was administered dermal on a human subject in an alcohol/glycerin vehicle, 11% was excreted in 48 hours .

Elimination Route

The major route of excretion is likely in urine , although some amounts may be found in bile and traces in exhaled air .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category-Not Classified. FDA has not yet classified the drug into a specified pregnancy category.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity

Innovators Monograph

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