This section is from the "A Handbook of Useful Drugs" book, by State Medical Examining and Licensing Boards.
The salicylic ester of phenyl.
Properties : Phenylsalicylate occurs as a white crystalline powder, having a faint aromatic odor and a slight but characteristic taste. It is very slightly soluble in water (1:2.333) and freely soluble in alcohol (1:5)
Action and Uses: Phenyl salicylate is slightly antiseptic, but its antiseptic action is greatly increased when it is decomposed into its constituents, phenol and salicylic acid. It has very slight action in the mouth or stomach, but in the intestines it is decomposed into its constituents by the action of the fat-splitting ferment of the pancreas. After absorption, it produces the effect of salicylates, but if larger doses are given the phenyl may produce toxic effects. The urine is colored dark by the phenol excreted by the kidneys. If salol is to be used for its constitutional effects as a salicylate, it should always be remembered that about 40 per cent, of it consists of phenol.
Phenyl salicylate is commonly used as an intestinal antiseptic. It is regarded by many as the best available drug for this purpose, but it is the opinion of many physicians that little benefit is to be secured by the use of intestinal antiseptics. It is impossible in practice to check all putrefaction in the intestines, but the use of phenyl salicylate has been shown to lessen the products of putrefaction excreted in the urine.
Phenyl salicylate is used in diarrhea, enteritis and in the diseases believed to be due to intoxication by the products of intestinal putrefaction.
Salol is used in pharmacy for the purpose of coating enteric pills. It must be remembered that the coating of pills of moderate size entails the administration of a considerable dose of salol.
Dosage: From 0.2 to 0 3 gm., or from 3 to 8 grains.
It is preferably administered in the form of powder and may be inclosed dry in capsules or cachets. Pills and compressed tablets are objectionable, because of the tendency of the substance to fuse into a hard insoluble mass.