New Drug Approvals - Pt. X - Benzyl Alcohol (Ulesfia)

Also approved this year is Benzyl Alcohol, under the trade name Ulesfia, approved on April 9th. Benzyl Alcohol has many uses, but it is now approved as a pediculicide, indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months of age and older. Benzyl Alcohol inhibits lice from closing their respiratory spiracles, causing the lice to asphyxiate. This is the first and only prescription medication that kills head lice by asphyxiation without potential neurotoxic side effects. Ulesfia is supplied as a topical lotion containing Benzyl Alcohol, 5%. Benzyl Alcohol is a small molecule drug (Molecular Weight of 108.1 g.mol-1), fully Rule-of-Five compliant, slightly lipophilic and partially soluble in water. Recommended administration and full prescribing information can be found here.

The chemical structure is very simple, and probably does not warrant much useful disection and discussion.

Benzyl Alcohol canonical SMILES: OCc1ccccc1 Benzyl Alcohol InChI: InChI=1/C7H8O/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5,8H,6H2 Benzyl Alcohol InChIKey: WVDDGKGOMKODPV-UHFFFAOYAH Benzyl Alcohol CAS registry: 100-51-6 Benzyl Alcohol ChemDraw: Benzyl Alcohol.cdx

The license holder is Sciele Pharma, Inc. and the product website is www.ulesfialotion.com.

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