Synthol (mouthwash)

Synthol is a liquid medical product brand available in France since 1920, though the nature of the product has changed through the brand's history.

Synthol
Product typeAnalgesic liquid
OwnerGlaxoSmithKline
CountryFrance
Introduced1920
MarketsWorldwide

1920s

Synthol was developed by Maurice Bunau-Varilla, a prominent newspaper publisher of the early twentieth century, as a tonic. He promoted it as a cure-all tonic.[1]

Chloral hydrate based formula

The brand was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline.[2] Formerly the formula consisted of chloral hydrate, menthol, veratrol, resorcinol and salicylic acid. Sold mainly as a mouthwash in a distinctive black carton, it is also packaged as a gel and spray for the treatment of muscular pain(s).

Today

Following a rupture in supply 2014–2015[3] the product returned to French pharmacies in June 2016 with the same composition, minus chloral hydrate, now banned, and with the indication "mouthwash" («bain de bouche») removed.[4]

Among the new uses of the reformulation is endorsement of the Synthol gel as an umbilical cord antiseptic.[5]

SyntholKiné

A similarly named but unrelated product named SyntholKiné was launched by Glaxo in 2015.[6]

References
  1. Pinsole, Dominique (August 2009). "Le Synthol, moteur de l'histoire". Le Monde diplomatique (in French).
  2. GlaxoSmithKline: Synthol Liquid – for dermal use and mouth wash (450 ml) Synthol Liquid is recommended for application to the skin, or as a supplementary treatment for mild traumas (such as cuts and bruises) or insect bites and stings. Suitable for adults and children over 7 years
  3. Synthol gel / liquide rupture de stock : où le trouver ?, Nouveautés today, 19 septembre 2014
  4. "Le Synthol est de retour dans les pharmacies".
  5. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gsk-umbilical-idUSKCN0XQ0UK HEALTH NEWS | Fri Apr 29, 2016 | 5:01am EDT Reformulated GSK mouthwash endorsed as umbilical cord antiseptic By Ben Hirschler | LONDON An antiseptic gel to stop umbilical cord infections in newborn babies was recommended as safe and effective by European regulators on Friday in a boost for GlaxoSmithKline scientists who developed it from a mouthwash.]
  6. Liste de produits grand public sur le site de GlaxoSmithKline


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