Alcohol-Containing Pharmaceuticals

Ethanol and isopropranol are found as an active ingredient in oral, parenteral, and topical (including inhalational) prescription and nonprescription drug products. Although it is primarily used because of its solvent properties to help solubilize many drugs, it also possesses several concentration-dependent pharmacological actions, including sedative, carminative, cooling, antipyretic, rubefacient, cleansing, and antiseptic properties. Concentrations of 40% or more may be found in some oral preparations, thus resulting in patients consuming a significant amount of alcohol during the course of the day. A concise compilation of nearly 500 alcohol-containing prescription and nonprescription American drug products is presented. The table, which contains the proprietary drug name, manufacturer, type and concentration of alcohol, route of administration, and prescription: nonprescription status, is intended to aid clinicians in counseling patients receiving alcohol-deterrent drugs or patients in whom alcohol should be avoided.