Resorcinol

Resorcinol Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Resorcinol is a 1,3-isomer (or meta-isomer) of benzenediol with the formula C6H4(OH)2. It is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant in topical pharmaceutical products in the treatment of skin disorders and infections such as acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, corns, calluses, and warts. It exerts a keratolytic activity. Resorcinol works by helping to remove hard, scaly, or roughened skin.

Although it is primarily indicated for use as a topical application, resorcinol also possesses a well-documented anti-thyroidal activity that is generally not relied upon for any kind of formal therapeutic indication.

In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that resorcinol can inhibit peroxidases in the thyroid and subsequently block the synthesis of thyroid hormones and cause goiter . Resorcinol interferes with the iodination of tyrosine and the oxidation of iodide . In an in vitro study involving lactoperoxidase (LPO) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO), it was shown that the mechanism of these two enzymes can become irreversibly inhibited by way of a suicide inactivation by resorcinol .

Trade Name Resorcinol
Generic Resorcinol
Resorcinol Other Names 1,3-Benzenediol, 1,3-Dihydroxybenzene, 1,3-Dihydroxybenzol, m-Hydroquinone, m-hydroxyphenol, Resorcinol, Resorzin
Weight 3%, 2%
Type Topical lotion, topical ointment, topical
Formula C6H6O2
Weight Average: 110.1106
Monoisotopic: 110.036779436
Protein binding

Specific data regarding the protein binding of resorcinol is not readily available.

Groups Approved
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country United States
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Resorcinol
Resorcinol

Uses

Contemporary therapeutic uses for resorcinol primarily revolve around the use of the phenol derivative as an active ingredient in topical antiseptics or as topical antibacterial skin treatment products for conditions like acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and others .

Resorcinol is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Acne Vulgaris

How Resorcinol works

Data regarding the specific mechanisms of action of resorcinol does not appear to be readily accessible in the literature. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the agent in treating various topical, dermatological conditions by eliciting antibacterial and keratolytic actions appears to stem from resorcinol's propensity for protein precipitation . In particular, it appears that resorcinol indicated for treating acne, dermatitis, or eczema in various skin care topical applications and peels revolves around the compound's ability to precipitate cutaneous proteins from the treated skin .

Toxicity

Effects in man include CNS effects, mainly in persons who have used creams containing high levels of resorcinol, effects on the erythrocytes (especially methaemoglobinaemia, mainly in babies and infants) and, after prolonged exposure, effects on the thyroid gland (like goiter or especially chronic myxoedema) . In addition, exogenous ochronosis is associated with prolonged exposure to resorcinol . In persons suffering from resorcinol poisoning, the symptoms included anemia, spleen siderosis, and fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys .

Food Interaction

No interactions found.

Volume of Distribution

Specific data regarding the volume of distribution of resorcinol is not readily available, although it is believed that the compound's volume of distribution is considered large, owing to resorcinol's profile as a lipid-soluble compound .

Elimination Route

The dermal absorption of resorcinol seems to be low (< 1%) when applied on healthy and intact skin . The agent absorbed very slightly under normal conditions & the absorption was lower when applied to the scalp than to clean shaven skin due to a strong fixation by the hair .

Half Life

Specific data regarding the half-life of resorcinol is not readily available, although, in one case of dermal exposure, an adult male with a 90% phenol exposure had an elimination half-life of about 14 hours .

Clearance

Specific data regarding the clearance of resorcinol is not readily available, although it is generally believed that the relatively low topical absorption or resorcinol does not result in an extensive systemic presence and clearance .

Elimination Route

Specific data regarding the route of elimination of resorcinol is not readily available, although the major metabolite of resorcinol found in the urine was its glucuronide .

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