Two medicines, side by side
Camphor vs menthol
Camphor and menthol are both labeled for pain and cough and cold. Pharmacies paid $0.0188 per mL (Vapor steam liquid) and $0.0424 per unit (Cough drops 5.8 mg) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the camphor FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026); the menthol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 24, 2024).
Highlights of the camphor record
Camphor · label of February 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDirections Clean and dry affected area. Tear off the back paper. Stick to the affected area.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0188 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the menthol record
Menthol · label of April 24, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves: cough as may occur with a cold occasional minor irritation and sore throat
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0424 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Camphor label of February 12, 2026, Menthol label of April 24, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do camphor and menthol differ on the record?
| Camphor | Menthol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Cough and cold, Herpes and shingles | Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | n/a |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0188 per mL (Vapor steam liquid) | $0.0424 per unit (Cough drops 5.8 mg) |
| 12-month price change | +4% | +17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 208 | 3,369 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to camphor
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions