eucalyptus oil + menthol + thyme oil: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Licensed for symptomatic relief of upper respiratory tract congestion.
• Can be used without professional supervision from 3 months of age; seek professional input for younger infants.
• Persistent symptoms require clinical review rather than continued unsupervised treatment.
• Consider accidental ingestion and eye-transfer risks when advising carers.

Contraindications and cautions

• No patient-specific clinical contraindication is stated in the current product information.
• Do not apply menthol-containing ointment to an infant’s nostrils.
• Avoid use where previous exposure has caused hypersensitivity or contact dermatitis.

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is required.
• Review persistent congestion, local skin reactions or evidence of accidental ingestion.

Clinical pharmacology

Body heat volatilises the aromatic oils, allowing inhalation of vapours associated with symptomatic relief of upper respiratory tract congestion. Product-specific pharmacokinetic data are unavailable.

Formulation and product differences

• The product is an inhalation-vapour ointment with white soft paraffin as the excipient.
• It is supplied in a screw-capped jar and should be stored below 25°C without freezing.