Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Chlorothymol is a derivate of thymol. Thymol is a known antifungal agent, which was applied as a dusting powder for superficial infections now only found as a general antimicrobial agent used in mouthwashes. Chlorothymol more potent germicide, but severely irritating to the mucous membranes. It is used in cosmetic biocides, denaturants, deodorant agents, oral care agents, and preservatives. Chlorothymol was not considered an ocular irritant. Chlorothymol was nonmutagenic compound in the paper-disk method using E. coli. No adverse reactions were noted during the course of the study of AMA Laboratories in 1996 performed to assess the skin irritation and sensitization of an OTC topical cream. OTC topical cream containing 0.032% Chlorothymol under semiocclusion was considered a nonprimary irritant and a nonprimary sensitizer.   ^NCATS