Germolene
Encyclopedia
Germolene is a brand name used on a range of antiseptic
products produced by the Bayer
company, which in 1999 bought the brand from the then-Smithkline Beecham
. It is manufactured for Bayer UK by the Devon
-based Wrafton Laboratories
division of US over-the counter and supermarket own label preparation producer Perrigo
.
Originally a thick antiseptic
ointment with a distinctive pink colour, Germolene was reformulated as a cream
- and the brand name is used on a range of over-the-counter first aid preparations, most of which contain antiseptic. There is an associated range of products, specifically for the treatment of haemorrhoids.
Germolene was invented by cough mixture tycoon Sir William Henry Veno, who in 1925, fearing he had cancer of the lip, sold his Veno Drug Company to the Beechams Company
Active ingredients: Phenol
1.2%, (otherwise known as carbolic acid, this has antiseptic, locally anaesthetic and antipruritic
properties), and chlorhexidine digluconate 0.25% - but the Germoloids preparations for haemorrhoids include zinc oxide
and the anaesthetic lidocaine hydrochloride
.
Antiseptic
Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction...
products produced by the Bayer
Bayer
Bayer AG is a chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in Barmen , Germany in 1863. It is headquartered in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and well known for its original brand of aspirin.-History:...
company, which in 1999 bought the brand from the then-Smithkline Beecham
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
. It is manufactured for Bayer UK by the Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
-based Wrafton Laboratories
Wrafton
Wrafton is a village on the outskirts of Braunton in North Devon, England. It is the location of Wrafton Laboratories, division of over-the-counter preparations and contract medications producer Perrigo UK, the manufacturer at Wrafton for Bayer UK of Germolene...
division of US over-the counter and supermarket own label preparation producer Perrigo
Perrigo
Perrigo Company , is the largest manufacturer of private label over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in the United States. The company’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange; as a result of the merger with Agis Industries the company is a constituent of the TA-25...
.
Originally a thick antiseptic
Antiseptic
Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction...
ointment with a distinctive pink colour, Germolene was reformulated as a cream
Cream (pharmaceutical)
A cream is a topical preparation usually for application to the skin. Creams for application to mucus membranes such as those of the rectum or vagina are also used. Creams may be considered pharmaceutical products as even cosmetic creams are based on techniques developed by pharmacy and...
- and the brand name is used on a range of over-the-counter first aid preparations, most of which contain antiseptic. There is an associated range of products, specifically for the treatment of haemorrhoids.
Germolene was invented by cough mixture tycoon Sir William Henry Veno, who in 1925, fearing he had cancer of the lip, sold his Veno Drug Company to the Beechams Company
Active ingredients: Phenol
Phenol
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid. The molecule consists of a phenyl , bonded to a hydroxyl group. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds...
1.2%, (otherwise known as carbolic acid, this has antiseptic, locally anaesthetic and antipruritic
Antipruritic
Antipruritics, also known as anti-itch drugs, are medications that inhibit the itching that is often associated with sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites and stings like those from mosquitoes, fleas, and mites, and contact dermatitis and...
properties), and chlorhexidine digluconate 0.25% - but the Germoloids preparations for haemorrhoids include zinc oxide
Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound with the formula ZnO. It is a white powder that is insoluble in water. The powder is widely used as an additive into numerous materials and products including plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, rubber , lubricants, paints, ointments, adhesives, sealants,...
and the anaesthetic lidocaine hydrochloride
Lidocaine
Lidocaine , Xylocaine, or lignocaine is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. Lidocaine is used topically to relieve itching, burning and pain from skin inflammations, injected as a dental anesthetic or as a local anesthetic for minor surgery.- History :Lidocaine, the first amino...
.