Rubbing Alcohol also called isopropyl alcohol is used as an antiseptic used to prepare the skin for cleansing and any invasive procedure.

It is sprayed or rubbed over surfaces to kill bacteria and germs.

People have used rubbing alcohol for head lice, mixed it in shampoos, in ears as antiseptics and for cleaning beddings, computers, keyboards, and cell phones.

However, isopropyl alcohol is a toxic agent and highly flammable and should be avoided in such situations.

What is rubbing alcohol used for?

It is used for cleaning purposes at home. These include:

• It removes dirt from the skin when applied and wiped with a cotton ball
• Cleaning makeup brushes
• Windshield frost
• Cleaning jewellery
• Cleaning blinds
• Cleaning light switches and bulbs
• It may also be used to clean and disinfect scissors, thermometers, and watches.

Rubbing alcohol is used to clean and disinfect wounded skin.

It is also best to remove oil, dust, and hand-prints over spectacles and glass shields.

As for disinfection, it is also used in hand sanitisers and solutions to remove bed bugs and head lice.

Rubbing alcohol can destroy bed bugs and repels insects from laying eggs on bed sheets and over the beds.

Rubbing alcohol for acne:

• There is no scientific proof, however, it is used commonly as a home remedy for the treatment of acne.
• It is applied after the face is washed with a cotton ball or a gauze piece.
• The usual moisturizers, medicines, or acne creams are then applied.
• It is important to avoid too much of it over the face as it may cause soreness, peeling of the skin, redness, and itching.

Use during Pregnancy and lactation:

• Topical alcohol as a disinfectant is not contraindicated in pregnancy.

Use in kidney and liver diseases:

• Topical alcohol is not contraindicated in kidney and liver disease. 

Rubbing alcohol side effects:

• Excessive and frequent application over the skin may result in soreness, itching, irritation, and inflammation.
• Ingestion of "alcohol for topical use" has been reported.
• Ataxia, dysarthria, sleepiness, nystagmus, hypotension, acidosis, and coma are symptoms of alcohol overdose.

Rubbing alcohol Contraindications

• Avoid contact with neonates or patients with broken skin.
• If alcohol is used as an antiseptic, it can cause severe burns after the diathermy procedure.

How to use rubbing alcohol?

How to apply rubbing alcohol?

• Apply a cotton or gauze soaked in rubbing alcohol to any object or the skin.
• Apply to the skin and let the area dry first before any procedure.
• Avoid using alcohol near to fire as it is highly flammable. 

Pharmacology & MOA:

• Topical use of alcohol refers to isopropyl alcohol and ethanol-based liquids.
• Topical or rubbing alcohol, also known as Spirit, surgical spirit and alcohol swabs, are not intended for oral consumption.
• They are not intended to be used topically as antiseptics or inflammable.   

Brands in Pakistan:

Brands of solutions containing rubbing alcohol are given here.

Some of the brands given here may be used as topical antiseptics, However, certain cough syrups containing alcohol are also given below.

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AMPHIDRYL (SYNTEX PHARMACEUTICALS )

Syrup :

Diphenhydramine : 8mg/5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Aminophyline : 32mg per 5ml ,  Ammonium chloride : 30mg per 5ml ,

Menthol : 0.98mg per 5ml

120ml pack: Rs. 17

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ANEW LOTION (DERMA TECHNO PAKISTAN)

Lotion :

Alcohol : 2%w/v ,

30ml pack: Rs. 77.99

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APHYLIN (OBSONS PHARMACEUTICALS)

Syrup :

Diphenhydramine : 8mg per 5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Aminophyline : 32mg per 5ml ,  Ammonium chloride : 30mg per 5ml ,

Menthol : 0.98mg/5ml

120ml pack: Rs. 18.72

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BRONDECON (PFIZER LABORATORIES LTD)

Elixir :

Oxtriphyline (choline theophyllinate) : 100mg per 5ml ,

Alcohol : 10%v/v ,  Guaifenesin : 25mg per 5ml  ,

120ml pack : Rs. 20.03

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BRONIL (STAR LABORATORIES (PVT) LTD)

Syrup :

Diphenhydramine : 8mg/5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Aminophyline : 32mg per 5ml ,  Ammonium chloride : 30mg per 5ml ,

Menthol : 0.98mg per 5ml

120ml pack: Rs. 18.20

60ml pack: Rs. 9.88

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DIPHEROL (ETHICAL LABORATORIES (PVT) LTD)

Syrup :

Diphendramine : 13.5mg per 5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Sodium acid citrate : 55mg per 5ml ,  Amonium chloride : 131.5mg per 5ml ,

Chloroform : 22mg per 5ml ,  Menthol : 1mg per 5ml ,

120ml pack: Rs. 14

450ml pack: Rs. 35

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INCREMIN (PFIZER LABORATORIES LTD)

Syrup :

Cyanocobalamin : 25mcg/5ml ,  Lysin : 300mg/5ml ,

Sorbitol : 3.5g per 5ml ,  Thiamine HCL (Vitamin B1) : 10mg per 5ml ,

Alcohol : 0.75%v/v ,  Pyridoxine : 5mg per 5ml ,  Pyriphosphate : 250mg per 5ml ,

120ml pack: Rs. 39

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KUFRID (MEDICRAFT PHARMACEUTICALS (PVT) LTD)

Syrup :

Diphenhydramine : 8mg/5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Aminophyline : 32mg per 5ml ,  Ammonium chloride : 30mg per 5ml ,

Menthol : 0.98mg per 5ml

120ml pack : Rs. 20

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MANDLS PAINT (KARACHI PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY)

Paint :

Iodine: 12.5g,  Peppermint oil : 4.2ml,  Alcohol ,  37.5ml,

Potassium chloride: 25 g,

30ml pack: Rs. 13.70

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PEDILIX  (WERRICK PHARMACEUTICALS )

Linctus :

Pholcodine : 1.5mg per 5ml ,  Alcohol : 3.8%v/v ,

Promethazine (HCL) : 1.5mg per 5ml ,

120ml pack ; Rs. 18.72

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PENTALLIN (SWISS PHARMACEUTICALS)

Syrup :

Diphenhydramine : 8mg/5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Aminophylline : 32mg per 5ml ,  Ammonium chloride : 30mg per 5ml ,

Menthol : 0.98mg per 5ml

120ml pack: Rs. 30

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RONDEC (ABBOTT LABORATORIES (PAKISTAN LIMITED)

Syrup :

Chlorpheniramine (Maleate) : 2mg per 5ml ,  Dexthromethophan : 10mg per 5ml ,

Ipecac : 0.005ml/5ml ,  phenylephrine (HCL) : 5mg per 5ml ,

Ephedrine : 5,g per 5ml ,  Alcohol : 2%v/v ,   Ammonium chloride : 40mg per 5ml ,

120ml pack: Rs. 38.12

60ml pack: Rs. 19.05

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SOLOPHAR (HIMONT PHARMACEUTICALS (PVT)LTD)

Mouth spray :

Benzalkonium (CL) : 0.035%w/w ,  Alcohol : 6%w/v ,

Dequalinium : 0.015%w/w ,

50ml pack: Rs. 437

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SOMOGEL (ABBOTT LABORATORIES (PAKISTAN) LIMITED)

Gel :

Lignocain: 0.6%w/w ,  Eucalytol: 0.1%w/w ,

Alcohol : 33%w/w ,  Menthol : 0.6%w/w ,

15gram pack: Rs. 22.10

20gram pack: 29

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TEETHING DROPS (WOODWARD PAKISTAN (PVT) LTD)

Drop :

Lignocain : 0 ,  Alcohol : 0 ,  Tincture myrrh : 0 ,

Benzyl alcohol : 0 ,  Menthol : 0 ,

10ml pack : Rs. 17.15

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TIXYLIX (SANOFI AVENTIS (PAKISTAN) LTD)

Linctus :

Pholcodine : 1.5mg per 5ml ,  Alcohol : 3.8%v/v ,

Promethazine (HCL) : 1.5mg/5ml ,

120ml pack: Rs. 21.69

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ZEVIROL (P.D.H. PHARMACEUTICALS (PVT) LTD)

Expc :

Diphenhydramine : 13.5mg/5ml ,  Alcohol : 5%v/v ,

Sodium acid citrate : 55mg per 5ml ,  Ammonium chloride : 131.5mg per 5ml ,

Chloroform : 22mg per 5ml ,  Menthol : 1mg per 5ml ,

120ml pack: Rs. 20

450ml pack: Rs. 44.52