Menthol

Mechanism-of-action class: Calcium Channel Antagonists.

• Uses temporarily relieves: cough as may occur with a cold occasional minor irritation and sore throatICD-10: R05.9

Directions adults and children 5 years and over - dissolve 1 lozenge slowly in mouth. Repeat every 2 hours as needed or as directed by a doctor. children under 5 years - ask a doctor

Sore throat warning: if sor throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, swelling, nausea, or vomiting, consult a doctor promptly. If sore mouth symptoms do not improve in 7 days, see your dentist or doctor promptly. These symptoms may be serious.

• Feb 20, 2008NDANDA022029Hisamitsu Pharm Co
• May 27, 2014ANDAANDA202027Apotex

1. 1Drug Ineffective4,3498.2%
2. 2Pain3,5126.6%
3. 3Fatigue3,2346.1%
4. 4Nausea3,1645.9%
5. 5Headache2,9465.5%
6. 6Off Label Use2,6895.1%
7. 7Dyspnoea2,3924.5%
8. 8Diarrhoea2,1374.0%
9. 9Pneumonia2,0883.9%
10. 10Sinusitis1,9793.7%
11. 11Vomiting1,9273.6%
12. 12Dizziness1,8633.5%
13. 13Fall1,8043.4%
14. 14Death1,7613.3%
15. 15Product Dose Omission Issue1,7223.2%

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

• Role of Brown Adipose Tissue-Specific Sympathetic and Sensory Innervations in Menthol-Induced Energy-Expending Phenotype.
  FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · 2026 · Lal R, Soni N, Agarwal K, et al.
  PMID 42186762DOI 10.1096/fj.202600519RRRR
• TRPM8-dependent protective effects of L-menthol attenuates lipid overload-induced calcium dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse ventricular myocytes.
  Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology · 2026 · Sun X, Ding Q, Zhou Y, et al.
  PMID 42107764DOI 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2026.05.002
• Hydrophobic Menthol-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent for Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive Liquid‒Liquid Microextraction of Amide Herbicides in Food and Environmental Samples Before Determination by HPLC.
  Journal of separation science · 2026 · Xie M, Huang G, Wang H, et al.
  PMID 42083338DOI 10.1002/jssc.70433
• Divergent mechanisms of menthol and tobacco e-cigarette toxicity in a 3D airway organoid model: Metabolic disruption and immunosuppression versus Th2-Allergic inflammation and apoptotic stress.
  Chemico-biological interactions · 2026 · Li X, Tian Y, Wang H, et al.
  PMID 42082014DOI 10.1016/j.cbi.2026.112121
• Behavioral pharmacology study to inform the switching potential and abuse liability of tobacco-flavored and menthol-flavored pod-based electronic nicotine delivery systems with 5% nicotine concentration.
  Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology · 2026 · Goldenson NI, Shiffman S, Sembower MA, et al.
  PMID 41989445DOI 10.1037/pha0000848
• Effects of Menthol Mouth Rinsing on Performance and Surface EMG Activity During Heat-Stressed Cycling.
  Nutrients · 2026 · Hawke KV, Foley RCA, La Delfa NJ, et al.
  PMID 41978184DOI 10.3390/nu18071134
• Menthol-induced sedation and hemodynamic safety limits in Nile tilapia: defining a therapeutic window.
  Fish physiology and biochemistry · 2026 · da Paz CA, de Araujo DB, Lins A, et al.
  PMID 41973265DOI 10.1007/s10695-026-01681-5
• Capsaicin and menthol reduce excitability of insular pyramidal neurons via TRP-independent sodium channel inactivation.
  Experimental brain research · 2026 · Toyoda H
  PMID 41954760DOI 10.1007/s00221-026-07287-w

The 10 most recently updated of 283 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Menthol as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Impact of Novel vs. Usual Brand Menthol Cigarettes on Abuse Liability
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 48 enrolled · Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
  NCT07564648updated 2026-06-05
• An Experimental Evaluation of Menthol-Flavored Tobacco Accessories
  Completed · Interventional · 24 enrolled · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  NCT07092501updated 2026-06-04
• A Study to Determine the Effects of ENDS Flavor Availability on Abstinence Within Smokers
  Recruiting · Interventional · 1,280 enrolled · RAI Services Company
  NCT07598136updated 2026-06-03
• E-cigarette Switching Older Adults
  Completed · Interventional · 36 enrolled · University of Maryland, Baltimore
  NCT06534905updated 2026-06-03
• Evaluating the Impact of Synthetic Cooling Agents in Combustible Cigarettes on Smoking Perceptions and Use
  Completed · Interventional · 34 enrolled · Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
  NCT06230159updated 2026-06-03
• Changes in Biomarker of Exposure in Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes Switching From Cigarettes to Heated Tobacco Products
  Completed · Interventional · 921 enrolled · Altria Client Services LLC
  NCT06179290updated 2026-05-27
• Remote Interventions for Menthol Cigarette Use
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 1,200 enrolled · University of Michigan
  NCT07356297updated 2026-05-26
• Evaluating the Effect of Nicotine on Eye Movements and Related Behaviors in Electronic Cigarette Users, NICS-EYES Trial
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 25 enrolled · Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
  NCT07604246updated 2026-05-22
• Abuse Liability of Two Modern Oral Nicotine Pouched Products
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 40 enrolled · RAI Services Company
  NCT07595055updated 2026-05-19
• Sex Differences in E-Cigarette Perception
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Yale University
  NCT07398976updated 2026-05-19

Frequently asked questions

How does Menthol work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Calcium Channel Antagonists.

What is Menthol used for?

According to FDA labeling, Menthol carries indications including: Uses temporarily relieves: cough as may occur with a cold occasional minor irritation and sore throat. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Menthol?

Menthol is classified as Calcium Channel Antagonists, Decreased Sensory-Somatic Nervous System Organized Electrical Activity.

What are the brand names for Menthol?

Menthol is marketed under brand names including Absorbine, Absorbine Jr., Absorbine Veterinary, Absorbine Veterinary Liniment, ActivICE, ActivOn Arthritis, ActivOn Joint & Muscle, Alo.