Two medicines, side by side
Phenol vs benzocaine
Phenol and benzocaine are both labeled for pain.
Check it at the source: the phenol FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 26, 2025); the benzocaine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 17, 2025).
Highlights of the phenol record
Phenol · label of September 26, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor the temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, sore mouth and sore throat. Uses for the temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, sore mouth and sore throat. Uses for the temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, sore mouth and sore throat.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0124 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the benzocaine record
Benzocaine · label of January 17, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor oral mucosal use only, as directed by dentist. For the temporary relief of pain due to minor dental procedures.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Phenol label of September 26, 2025, Benzocaine label of January 17, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do phenol and benzocaine differ on the record?
| Phenol | Benzocaine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Pain |
| 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) | $0.0124 per mL (Gnp sore throat 1.4% spray) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | -3% | n/a |
| 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) | 273 | 1,036 |
| 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 phenol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions