Camphor

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

• USE For the temporary relief of pain.

DIRECTIONS Adults and Children over 12 years Apply to affected area not more than three to four times daily. Children under 12 years of age: do not use, consult a doctor.

For external use only. · Ask a doctor before use if you have redness over affected area.

1. 1Drug Ineffective38912%
2. 2Pain2257.1%
3. 3Fatigue2036.4%
4. 4No Adverse Event1815.7%
5. 5Nausea1625.1%
6. 6Headache1605.1%
7. 7Dyspnoea1595.0%
8. 8Diarrhoea1494.7%
9. 9Cough1253.9%
10. 10Dizziness1243.9%
11. 11Arthralgia1213.8%
12. 12Pneumonia1193.8%
13. 13Pain In Extremity1153.6%
14. 14Pruritus1143.6%
15. 15Fall1123.5%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Camphor as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Multi-target benzylidene camphor derivatives: selective cytotoxicity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and via a ROS-associated mitochondrial effects in AGS cells.
  Chemico-biological interactions · 2026 · Muñoz E, Silva V, Vera W, et al.
  PMID 42009288DOI 10.1016/j.cbi.2026.112091
• Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveals Mechanism of Camphor on Liver Toxicity in Zebrafish.
  Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology · 2026 · Wei M, Xie L, Gan J, et al.
  PMID 41957937DOI 10.1111/bcpt.70222
• A novel camphor-based fluorescent probe for sensing thiophenols in food analysis and biological imaging via a PET-TICT integrated mechanism.
  Talanta · 2026 · Zhang Y, Cui D, Ren X, et al.
  PMID 41905039DOI 10.1016/j.talanta.2026.129712
• Camphor's Therapeutic Uses and Potential Hazards: An In-Depth Review of Its Medicinal Applications.
  Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 · Shabbir A, Parvinzadeh Gashti M
  PMID 41752424DOI 10.3390/molecules31040648
• Camphor-10-Sulfonamide Amino Acid Esters: Synthesis, Antiviral Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Insights.
  International journal of molecular sciences · 2026 · Dikova K, Vilhelmova-Ilieva N, Mateev E, et al.
  PMID 41596267DOI 10.3390/ijms27020616
• Camphor Derivatives for the Control of Phytopathogenic Bacteria: Synthesis and Evaluation in Cherry.
  Journal of agricultural and food chemistry · 2026 · Muñoz E, Silva V, Valdés F, et al.
  PMID 41466458DOI 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10175
• In vitro and in silico analysis of anticancer and antioxidant potential of camphor derivatives.
  Scientific reports · 2025 · Muñoz-Núñez E, Flores S, Silva V, et al.
  PMID 41398020DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-27596-4
• Toxicity assessment of organic UV filters Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and Enzacamene (4-MBC) using the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina.
  Environmental toxicology and pharmacology · 2026 · Rolo P, Pestana JLT, Campos D, et al.
  PMID 41365477DOI 10.1016/j.etap.2025.104899

The 10 most recently updated of 17 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Camphor as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Effects of Rosemary Essential Oil on Human Cognition
  Active not recruiting · Interventional · 63 enrolled · Federal University of Paraíba
  NCT07563114updated 2026-05-01
• Oral Essential Oils Efficacy in Acute Respiratory Symptoms
  Completed · Phase 4 · Interventional · 105 enrolled · University of Sfax
  NCT07518394updated 2026-04-08
• Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Nasal Irrigation on the Postoperative Care of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 80 enrolled · Taichung Veterans General Hospital
  NCT07340411updated 2026-01-14
• To Check Dermatological Safety of Test Products by 24 Hours Patch Testing
  Completed · Interventional · 26 enrolled · Novamed Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.
  NCT07060976updated 2025-09-17
• imprOving Adherence to Pulmonary artErial hyperteNsion Treatment With teLemedicIne and patieNt guidaNce
  Recruiting · Interventional · 61 enrolled · University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
  NCT06850792updated 2025-06-10
• A Single Group Study to Evaluate the Effects of a Topical Product on Cramps Associated With the Menstrual Cycle
  Completed · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Rael
  NCT06939972updated 2025-04-23
• Transient Receptor Potential Channels
  Recruiting · Early phase 1 · Interventional · 45 enrolled · Penn State University
  NCT06444594updated 2025-01-17
• Changyanning Tablet for the Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D)
  Unknown · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 240 enrolled · Mei Han
  NCT05687435updated 2023-01-18
• Safety and Efficacy of Compound Methyl Salicylate Liniment for Topical Pain: a Multicenter Real-World Study in China
  Completed · Observational · 3,600 enrolled · Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
  NCT05489939updated 2022-08-05
• The Effect on Thirst, Nausea-Vomiting and Comfort Levels of Menthol Lozenge Applied After Extubation
  Completed · Interventional · 118 enrolled · Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
  NCT04994262updated 2021-08-06

Frequently asked questions

How does Camphor work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

What is Camphor used for?

According to FDA labeling, Camphor carries indications including: USE For the temporary relief of pain.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Camphor?

Camphor is classified as Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction, Decreased Sensory-Somatic Nervous System Organized Electrical Activity.

What are the brand names for Camphor?

Camphor is marketed under brand names including Anbesol Cold Sore Therapy, Arcticzen, Aulief, Benadryl Children's Anti-Itch, Bioease Pain Relieving Cold Therapy, Boroleum, Campho-Phenique, Camphor Ice.