Ethyl Alcohol
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 12, 2019.
What is it?
Ethyl Alcohol, or ethanol (C2H5OH), is used in the production of alcoholic beverages. The other three types, methyl, propyl and butyl alcohol, if consumed can result in blindness and death, even in relatively small doses. Alcohol, or ethanol, is the intoxicating agent found in beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is produced by fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. Ethanol is volatile and flammable. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is commonly used as a catalyst in chemical reactions. It is also frequently used in liquid hand sanitizers, such as Germ-X.[1]
Further information
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