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.
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Product type | Analgesic liquid |
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Owner | GlaxoSmithKline |
Country | France |
Introduced | 1920 |
Markets | Worldwide |
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
- Pinsole, Dominique (August 2009). "Le Synthol, moteur de l'histoire". Le Monde diplomatique (in French).
- 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
- Synthol gel / liquide rupture de stock : où le trouver ?, Nouveautés today, 19 septembre 2014
- http://www.ouest-france.fr/sante/le-synthol-est-de-retour-dans-les-pharmacies-4330230
- 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.]
- Liste de produits grand public sur le site de GlaxoSmithKline