Inhalation decongestant Pregnancy: §4.6 (verbatim): 'Use of this product in the above conditions is not considered likely to cause any harmful effects.' No further pregnancy or breast-feeding detail is given in the source.

Eucalyptus with menthol

Brand names: Vicks, Karvol

A combination of aromatic inhalation ingredients used as a symptomatic decongestant for nasal and upper respiratory catarrh and congestion.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: One 5 ml spoonful added to a pint of hot, but not boiling, water (the vapour is then inhaled)

Route: Inhalation — inhaled via the mouth and nasal passages (steam inhalation). §4.4 states 'For external use only' — the solution is not to be swallowed

Frequency: May be repeated after 4 hours if required

SOURCE: eMC UK SPC, productName 'Menthol and Eucalyptus Inhalation BP 1980' (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4952/smpc), §4.2. VERBATIM: 'Inhaled via the mouth and nasal passages. Adults, children over 3 months of age and the elderly: Add one 5ml spoonful to a pint of hot, but not boiling water. The dose may be repeated after 4 hours if required.' PAEDIATRIC: the SPC gives the SAME dose for adults, children over 3 months of age and the elderly — no per-kg paediatric dose is stated anywhere in the source, hence paedDose is null. Not suitable for children under 3 months (stated in both §4.3 and §4.4). EXCIPIENT WARNING (§4.4): 'This medicine contains 1.25mg benzalkonium chloride in each 5ml dose, which is equivalent to 0.025% w/v. Benzalkonium chloride may cause wheezing and breathing difficulties (bronchospasm), especially if you have asthma.' §4.4 also states 'Keep all medicines away from children.' US CROSS-CHECK NOT TRANSFERABLE: the openFDA record fetched is 'Vicks childrens VapoRub' (Procter & Gamble, label date 2025-10-01) — a TOPICAL RUB, a different dosage form and route from this UK inhalation product. Its directions ('adults and children 2 years and over ... rub a thick layer on throat & chest ... use up to three times daily'; 'children under 2 years: do not use') must NOT be applied to the inhalation product above. No §4.5 interaction text beyond 'None known' and no renal-impairment guidance appears in the fetched sections.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Not suitable for children under 3 months (§4.3)
Hypersensitivity to menthol, eucalyptus or any of the other ingredients (§4.3)

Side effects

Hypersensitivity reactions to menthol, including contact dermatitis (§4.8)
Reports of apnoea and instant collapse in infants following local application of menthol to their nostrils (§4.8)
Wheezing / breathing difficulties (bronchospasm) attributable to the benzalkonium chloride excipient, especially in asthma (§4.4)

Interactions

None known (§4.5, verbatim)

Clinical monograph

How it works

Eucalyptus and menthol vapours act as counter-irritants and produce a cooling sensation that gives a subjective feeling of improved nasal airflow rather than altering underlying mucosal swelling.

Prescribing in practice

Menthol-containing preparations must not be applied to or near the nostrils or face of infants and young children because of the risk of apnoea and laryngospasm.
It provides symptomatic relief only and does not treat any underlying infection.
Preparations are typically added to hot (not boiling) water for inhalation of the vapour.

Monitoring

No routine monitoring is required for this symptomatic preparation.

Counselling the patient

Add to hot, not boiling, water and inhale the vapour carefully to avoid scalds.
Do not apply menthol products to the nose or face of babies or young children.
This eases the feeling of a blocked nose but does not cure the cause.

Evidence & guidelines

Aromatic inhalations are used for symptomatic relief of nasal congestion, with benefit reflecting a subjective decongestant sensation.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

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