A throat lozenge containing amyl meta cresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol has a direct virucidal effect on respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and SARS-CoV.

Abstract

A potent virucidal mixture containing amyl metacresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol at low pH inactivated enveloped respiratory viruses influenza A, respiratory synctial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) but not viruses with icosahedral symmetry, such as adenoviruses or rhinoviruses. A titre of approximately 3.5 log10 TCID50 was reduced to below the level of detection within two minutes. Electron microscopy of purified influenza A virus showed extensive clumping and morphological changes in spike configuration after contact with the virucidal mixture, but no overt destruction of the viral membrane. We conclude that, formulated as a lozenge, the mixture could have significant effects in reducing the infectivity of certain infectious viruses in the throat and presumably in cough droplets, thus reducing, theoretically, opportunities for person-to-person transmission.

• Authors: John S Oxford, Robert Lambkin, Iain Gibb, Shobana Balasingam, Charlotte Chan, Andrew Catchpole
• Journal: Antiviral chemistry & chemotherapy (Antivir Chem Chemother) Vol. 16 Issue 2 Pg. 129-34 ( 2005) ISSN: 0956-3202 [Print] England
• PMID: 15889535 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Benzyl Alcohols
• Cresols
• Dosage Forms
• Drug Combinations
• dichlorobenzyl alcohol

Topics

• Adenoviridae (drug effects)
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Benzyl Alcohols (pharmacology)
• Cresols (pharmacology)
• Dosage Forms
• Drug Combinations
• Humans
• Influenza A virus (drug effects)
• Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (drug effects)
• Rhinovirus (drug effects)
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (drug effects)