In which of the following medicine production, ethyl alcohol can be used?
- AAntiseptic
- BAntipyretic
- CAnti-allergic
- DMore than one of the above
- ENone of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (a) Antiseptic
Explanation
Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is itself an antiseptic: a 60–70% solution kills germs, so it is used in hand sanitisers, surgical spirit and for cleaning the skin before injections.
Ethanol is also used as a solvent in many medicines (tinctures, syrups), but it is not what makes a medicine antipyretic or anti-allergic.
Ethanol is also a solvent in many other medicines; as a medicine in its own right it is an antiseptic.