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Drug information

Glycerol

OTC
Read time: 1 mins
Last updated: 09 Apr 2018

Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

Glycerin BP.


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Glycerol 100 % v/v


3. Pharmaceutical form

Liquid.


4.1. Therapeutic indications

1. For the relief of the symptoms of sore throats.

2. For use on rough or chapped skin.


4.2. Posology and method of administration

1. Oral: 5-10ml, four hourly as required.

2. Topical: mix with an equal quantity of water and apply directly to the affected area up to six times daily.

This product is suitable for use by adults, children and the elderly.


4.3. Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to glycerol. Contraindicated in diabetics.


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Glycerol should be administered with caution to patients with hypervolaemia, cardiac failure, renal disease or dehydration.

Labels to state: Use with caution if you suffer from heart or kidney disease.


4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No adverse effects are considered likely if this product is used in the above conditions. However, all medicines, should be avoided if possible during pregnancy and lactation, and should only be used under a doctor's instruction.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Glycerol when taken orally may cause headache, nausea and vomiting, and less frequently, diarrhoea, thirst, dizziness and mental confusion. Cardiac arrhythmias have been reported. Glycerol may cause severe dehydration in previously dehydrated patients.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.


4.9. Overdose

Glycerol acts as a mild laxative. Large oral doses taken inadvertently may cause headache, thirst, nausea, hyperglycaemia and dehydration. Medication should be stopped and if ingestion is recent gastric lavage should be administered, followed by supportive therapy.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

Glycerol acts as a demulcent and is mildly laxative when taken by mouth.


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

Glycerol is readily absorbed from the intestine and is metabolised to carbon dioxide and glycogen or is used in the synthesis of body fats.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

None


6.1. List of excipients

None.


6.2. Incompatibilities

None known.


6.3. Shelf life

36 months unopened.


6.4. Special precautions for storage

None.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

100ml: Glass bottle with white tamper evident 28mm polypropylene cap with EPE/Saranex liner and ROPP neck finish.

200ml: Glass bottle with white tamper evident 28mm polypropylene cap with EPE/Saranex liner and ROPP neck finish.


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

None.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

L.C.M. Ltd

Linthwaite Laboratories

Huddersfield

HD7 5QH

England


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL: 12965/0012


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

17/04/2003


10. Date of revision of the text

13/04/2015

4.1 Therapeutic indications

1. For the relief of the symptoms of sore throats.

2. For use on rough or chapped skin.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

1. Oral: 5-10ml, four hourly as required.

2. Topical: mix with an equal quantity of water and apply directly to the affected area up to six times daily.

This product is suitable for use by adults, children and the elderly.

4.3 Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to glycerol. Contraindicated in diabetics.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Glycerol should be administered with caution to patients with hypervolaemia, cardiac failure, renal disease or dehydration.

Labels to state: Use with caution if you suffer from heart or kidney disease.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No adverse effects are considered likely if this product is used in the above conditions. However, all medicines, should be avoided if possible during pregnancy and lactation, and should only be used under a doctor's instruction.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Glycerol when taken orally may cause headache, nausea and vomiting, and less frequently, diarrhoea, thirst, dizziness and mental confusion. Cardiac arrhythmias have been reported. Glycerol may cause severe dehydration in previously dehydrated patients.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

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Disclaimer

The drug SPC information (indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc), has been developed in collaboration with eMC (www.medicines.org.uk/emc/). Medthority offers the whole library of SPC documents from eMC.

Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 

Drug Licencing

Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).