Menthol

C10H20O156.27
(1RS,2RS,5RS)()5Methyl2(1methylethyl)cyclohexanol[15356704]

PharmaceuticalUse
Whenappliedtotheskin,mentholdilatesthebloodvessels,causingasensationof
coldnessfollowedbyananalgesiceffect.Itrelievesitchingandisusedincreams,lotions,
andointments.
Appearance
Itisafreeflowingoragglomeratedcrystallinepowder,orcolorless,prismatic,or
acicularshinycrystals,orhexagonalorfusedmasseswithastrongcharacteristicodorand
taste.
Properties
Boilingpoint2128C
Flashpoint918C
Meltingpoint348C
SolubilityVerysolubleinethanol(95%),chloroform,ether,fattyoilsandliquidparaffin;
freelysolubleinglacialaceticacid;solubleinacetoneandbenzene;veryslightlysoluble
inglycerin;practicallyinsolubleinwater.
Specificgravity0.904at158C
StabilityandStorageConditions
Aformulationcontainingmenthol1%w/winaqueouscreamhasbeenreportedtobe
stableforupto18monthswhenstoredatroomtemperature.(1)
Mentholshouldbestoredinawellclosedcontaineratatemperaturenotexceeding258C,
sinceitsublimesreadily.
Incompatiblewith:butylchloralhydrate;camphor;chloralhydrate;chromiumtrioxide;
bnaphthol;phenol;potassiumpermanganate;pyrogallol;resorcinol;andthymol.
Safety

Almostalltoxicologicaldataformentholrelatetoitsuseasatherapeuticagentrather
thanasanexcipient.Inhalationoringestionoflargequantitiescanresultinserious
adversereactionssuchasataxia(2)andCNSdepression,(3)hypersensitivityreactions,
severeabdominalpain,nausea,vomiting,vertigo,drowsiness,andcoma.Although
mentholisessentiallynonirritanttherehavebeensomereportsofhypersensitivity
followingtopicalapplication.InaPolishstudyapproximately1%ofindividualswere
determinedasbeingsensitivetomenthol.Therehavebeenreportsofapneaandinstant
collapseininfantsafterthelocalapplicationofmentholtotheirnostrils.
TheWHOhassetanacceptabledailyintakeofmentholatupto0.4mg/kgbodyweight.
LD(rat,IM):10.0g/kg(9)50
LD50(rat,oral):3.18g/kg
HandlingPrecautions
Maybeharmfulbyinhalationoringestioninlargequantities;maybeirritanttotheskin,
eyes,andmucousmembranes.Observenormalprecautionsappropriatetothe
circumstancesandquantityofmaterialhandled.Eyeprotection,chemicalresistant
gloves,andrespiratorsarerecommended.
Avoidprolongedorrepeatedexposure.