Glycerol Other names: Glycerin

Chemical formula: C₃H₈O₃  Molecular mass: 92.094 g/mol  PubChem compound: 753

Active ingredient description

Glycerol has uses as a hyperosmotic, osmotic diuretic, and ophthalmic agent. It may be used as an eye drop in the treatment of glaucoma to reduce intraocular pressure, as a solution or suppository for short-term treatment of constipation, to evacuate the bowel prior to a colonoscopy, and in some ocular surgeries. It may be given intravenously to reduce pressure inside the brain and used externally on the skin as a moisturizer.

Medicine classification

This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:

ATC code Group title Classification
A06AG04 Glycerol A Alimentary tract and metabolism → A06 Laxatives → A06A Laxatives → A06AG Enemas
Discover more medicines within A06AG04
A06AX01 Glycerol A Alimentary tract and metabolism → A06 Laxatives → A06A Laxatives → A06AX Other laxatives
Discover more medicines within A06AX01

Product monographs

Competent medicine agencies globally have authorized commercialization of this active ingredient according to these medication package inserts (MPIs):

Title Information Source Document Type  
GLYCERIN Suppository Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
GLYCERIN BP Liquid Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC

Structural formula

Graphic representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

External identifiers

CAS Substance: 56-81-5
DrugBank Drug: DB09462
KEGG Drug: D00028
PubChem Compound: 753
RxNorm Ingredient: 4910
SNOMED-CT Concept: 80582002
Glycerol (substance)
UNII Identifier: PDC6A3C0OX
GLYCERIN

© All content on this website, including data entry, data processing, decision support tools, "RxReasoner" logo and graphics, is the intellectual property of RxReasoner and is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of any part of this content without explicit written permission from RxReasoner is strictly prohibited. Any third-party content used on this site is acknowledged and utilized under fair use principles.