What are some medicinal uses of alcohols and phenols?

Alcohols and phenols have important medicinal uses because of their chemical reactivity, antimicrobial properties, and effects on the human body. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Medicinal Uses of Alcohols

1. Antiseptic & Disinfectant
   • Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) are widely used in hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and skin-cleaning before injections.
   • They kill bacteria, fungi, and many viruses by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes.
2. Preservative
   • Ethanol is used in pharmaceutical preparations (like tinctures and cough syrups) to preserve the medicine and prevent microbial growth.
3. Solvent in Medicine
   • Many drugs that are poorly soluble in water (e.g., some essential oils, alkaloids, and plant extracts) are dissolved in ethanol for easy administration.
4. Antidote
   • Ethanol is used as an antidote for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning, because it competes for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, preventing formation of toxic metabolites.
5. Analgesic & Antipyretic (historical use)
   • Alcohol has been used in small doses as a pain reliever and fever reducer, though less common today.

Medicinal Uses of Phenols

1. Antiseptic
   • Phenol (carbolic acid) was historically used by Joseph Lister for sterilizing surgical instruments and cleaning wounds.
   • Though too toxic for common use now, derivatives are still valuable.
2. Disinfectant
   • Phenolic compounds are present in disinfectant solutions (e.g., Lysol) for hospitals and households.
3. Mouthwashes & Throat Lozenges
   • Dilute solutions of phenol and its derivatives (like thymol) are used for relief of sore throat and as local anesthetics.
4. Antifungal & Antibacterial Agents
   • Compounds like hexachlorophene and triclosan (phenol derivatives) are used in soaps, creams, and surgical scrubs.
5. Pharmaceutical Precursors
   • Phenol derivatives are starting materials for important drugs:
     • Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) from salicylic acid
     • Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
     • Some antiseptic and anesthetic drugs

Summary:

• Alcohols → antiseptic, disinfectant, solvent, preservative, antidote.
• Phenols → antiseptic, disinfectant, oral/throat relief, precursor to major drugs.