Side effects may include irritation of the skin.[4] It is not recommended in children.[5] It is also used in other animals; however, it is considered toxic to cats.[3] How it works is unclear.[7]
Benzyl benzoate is used as a repellent for chiggers, ticks, and mosquitoes.[12] It is also used as a dye carrier, solvent for cellulose derivatives, plasticizer, and fixative in the perfume industry.[13] Its aroma is described as mildly sweet, balsamic, oily, herbal, floral, and fruity.[14]
Side effects
Benzyl benzoate has low acute toxicity in laboratory animals. It is rapidly hydrolyzed to benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol is subsequently metabolized to benzoic acid. The conjugates of benzoic acid (hippuric acid and the glucuronide of benzoic acid) are rapidly eliminated in urine.[3] When given in large doses to laboratory animals, benzyl benzoate can cause hyperexcitation, loss of coordination, ataxia, convulsions, and respiratory paralysis.[12]
Benzyl benzoate can be a skin irritant when used as a topical scabicide.[9] Overdose can result in blistering and hives or a rash can occur as an allergic reaction.[15][16]
As an excipient in some testosterone-replacement injectable medications, benzyl benzoate has been reported as a cause of anaphylaxis in a case in Australia.[17] Bayer includes this report in information for health professionals and recommends that physicians "should be aware of the potential for serious allergic reactions" to preparations of this type.[11] In Australia, reports to ADRAC, which evaluates reports of adverse drug reactions for the Therapeutic Goods Administration, show several reports of allergic issues since the anaphylaxis case from 2011.
↑World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2019. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
12Burns DA (2010), "Diseases Caused by Arthropods and Other Noxious Animals", in Breathnach SM, Griffiths CE, Cox N, Burns T (eds.), Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, vol.2 (8thed.), Wiley-Blackwell, p.38.41
