Listerine

Uses

For the temporary relief of pain due to minor injury or irritation of the mouth and gums like Toothache, Sore gums, Canker sores, Braces, Minor dental procedures, Dentures

Eucalyptol is a common ingredient in mouthwash and cosmetics derived naturally from the eucalyptus plant that is frequently used to to improve symptoms of airway mucus hypersecretion.

Methyl salicylate is a topical counter-irritant used for the symptomatic relief of acute musculoskeletal pain in the muscles, joints, and tendons.

Ointments or liniments containing methyl salicylate are applied topically as counter irritant for relief of acute pain associated with lumbago,sciatica and rheumatic conditions. Local analgesics for human and veterinary medicine.

Thymol is an essential oil found in various over-the-counter antibacterial and antifungal products.

Listerine is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Acute Sore Throat Pain, Dental Pain, Gangrene Stomatitis, Gingivitis, Hemorrhoids, Laryngitis, Pharyngitis, Premature Ejaculation, Secondary Bacterial Infection caused by Tonsillectomy, Secondary Bacterial Infection caused by Tooth Extractions, Skin Irritation, Sore Throat, Stomatitis, Sunburn, Teething pain, Tonsillitis, Tooth Pain, Vomiting, Pruritic dermatosis, Ulceration of the mouth, Buccopharyngeal anesthesiaGingivitisAcute Muscle Pain, Arthritis, Back Pain Lower Back, Backache, Contusions, Joint Pain, Ligament pain, Muscle Inflammation, Muscle Injuries, Muscle Strain, Muscle swelling, Pain, Pain of the Bone and Bones, Pain, Nerve, Partial-Onset Seizures, Postherpetic Neuralgia, Soreness, Muscle, Sprains, Tendon pain, Minor aches, Muscle, joint painsArthritis, Backache, Contusions, Joint Diseases, Joint Pain, Muscle Stiffness, Muscle Strain, Muscular Fatigue, Pain, Nerve, Plaque, Dental, Soreness, Muscle, Sprains, Skin disinfection

How Listerine works

Benzocaine diffuses into nerve cells where it binds to sodium channels, preventing the channels from opening, and blocking the influx of sodium ions. Nerve cells unable to allow sodium into cells cannot depolarize and conduct nerve impulses.

Counter-irritation is thought to be effective at alleviating musculoskeletal pain as the irritation of the sensory nerve endings is thought to alter or offset pain in the underlying muscle or joints that are served by the same nerves . This is thought to mask the underlying musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. When applied topically, methyl salicylate is thought to penetrate the skin and underlying tissues where it reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzyme and locally and peripherally prevents the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin and thromboxane A2.

Dosage

Listerine dosage

Apply to the affected area up to 4 times daily or as directed by a doctor/dentist. Children under 12 years of age should be supervised during the use of this product. Children under 2 years of age should be consulted to a doctor/dentist prior to the use of this product. An easy application might be done by fixing applicator on the tube’s nozzle. After application, supplied cap should be fixed on top of the applicator.

Side Effects

Side effects are less common. The side effects include allergies, swelling in the mouth or throatetc.

Toxicity

Patients experiencing an overdose may present with local anesthetic systemic toxicity syndrome, decreased cardiovascular function, decreased central nervous system function, cardiac arrest, bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, and seizures. Patients should be treated with symptomatic and supportive measures which include airway maintenance, controlling seizures, and hemodynamic stabilization.

Oral, rat LD50: 2480 mg/kg

Oral LD50 values (mg/kg) for mouse, rat and rabbit are 1110, 887 and 1300, respectively. Oral LD50 values for child and adult human (mg/kg) are 228 and 506, respectively. Although systemic toxicity from topical administration is rare, methyl salicylate can be absorbed in intract skin to cause stimulation of the central nervous system respiratory center, disturbance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and disturbance of intracellular respiration. Severe toxicity can result in acute lung injury, lethargy, coma, seizures, cerebral edema, and death. In case of salicylate poisoning, the treatment consists of general supportive care, gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal in cases of salicylate ingestion, and monitoring of serum salicylate concentrations. Bicarbonate infusions or hemodialysis can be used to achieve enhanced salicylate elimination .

Precaution

Patient with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease; smokers. Children, Pregnancy and lactation.

Interaction

May antagonise the therapeutic effect of sulfonamides. Anticholinesterases may inhibit the metabolism benzocaine.

Volume of Distribution

After absorption, methyl salicylate is distributed throughout most body tissues and most transcellular fluids, primarily by pH dependent passive processes. Salicylate is actively transported by a low-capacity, saturable system out of the CSF across the choroid plexus. The drug readily crosses the placental barrier.

Elimination Route

Approximately 12-20% of topically applied methyl salicylate may be systemically absorbed through intact skin within 10 hours of application, and absorption varies with different conditions such as surface area and pH. Dermal bioavailability is in the range of 11.8 – 30.7%. For the assessment of potential oral exposure to salicylates, bioavailability is assumed to be 100% .

Half Life

The plasma half-life for salicylate is 2 to 3 hr in low doses and about 12 hr at usual anti-inflammatory doses. The half-life of salicylate may be as long as 15 to 30 hr at high therapeutic doses or when there is intoxication.

Elimination Route

Excreted by kidneys as free salicylic acid (10%), salicyluric acid (75%), salicylic phenolic (10%) and acyl glucuronide (5%), and gentisic acid (less than 1%).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Contraindication

Epiglottis (oral spray), methaemoglobinaemia.

Acute Overdose

Symptom: Methaemoglobinaemia, manifested by cyanotic (greyish) skin discolouration, unusual breathing or breathlessness.

Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. IV methylene blue 1% may be administered.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30° C.

Innovators Monograph

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