Synthol (mouthwash) explained

Synthol
Type:Analgesic liquid
Currentowner:Haleon
Origin:France
Introduced:1920
Markets:Worldwide
Previousowners:GSK plc

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.

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] [7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Le Synthol, moteur de l'histoire . . August 2009. Dominique . Pinsole . 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. http://www.nouveautes-today.com/4261-synthol-gel-liquide-rupture-de-stock-ou-le-trouver.html Synthol gel / liquide rupture de stock : où le trouver ?
  4. Web site: Le Synthol est de retour dans les pharmacies.
  5. News: 2016-04-29 . Reformulated GSK mouthwash endorsed as umbilical cord antiseptic . en . Reuters . 2023-05-09.
  6. http://www.gsk.fr/gsk/produits/gsk-sgp.html Liste de produits grand public
  7. https://www.pharmacy-xl.org/order-valtrex-online-en.html Generic Valtrex