Acil

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Acil

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Acil

What is Acil? An Overview

Property Description
Active ingredient Benzyl Benzoate
Form Topical preparation (Lotion, Emulsion, Solution)
Pharmacological class Ectoparasiticide (Acaricide and Pediculicide)
General purpose Elimination of external parasitic infestations
Origin Synthetic chemical compound

What is Acil and Its Active Ingredient?

Acil is a synthetic pharmaceutical preparation defined by its primary active ingredient, Benzyl Benzoate, which is used specifically to combat infestations by external parasites. This medication is not a general antiseptic or antibiotic; rather, it belongs to a highly focused category designed to act directly on organisms like mites and lice found on the body's surface. Acil is typically classified as a prescription-only medicine in many regions.

The core of Acil is the chemical compound Benzyl Benzoate, a substance derived from Benzyl alcohol and Benzoic acid. This substance acts as an anti-scabies agent, serving a role in treating mite infestations. This shows the medication is a primary, recognized treatment for eliminating parasitic conditions.


Acil’s Classification: A Targeted Ectoparasiticide

Acil is classified within the Pharmacological class of Ectoparasiticides, defined as agents that eliminate parasites residing on the surface of the skin. Benzyl Benzoate is utilized for the management of these conditions, with its action categorized as both an Acaricide (targeting mites responsible for scabies) and a Pediculicide (targeting lice). This classification is applied across diverse regions.

The formulation of Acil dictates its use as a Topical preparation, commonly supplied as an Emulsion, Lotion, or Solution. This dosage form is designed for the route of administration via topical use on the skin, ensuring the concentrated delivery of the active agent directly where the parasites reside.


How Does Benzyl Benzoate Function to Clear Infestations?

Benzyl Benzoate functions primarily by exerting a neurotoxic action directly on the external parasites, leading to their death and the clearance of the infestation. The compound acts as a contact poison, penetrating the protective layers of the mite or louse, where it disrupts the organism's nervous system.

The general benefit of using Acil is the ability to eradicate the parasitic population responsible for causing discomfort and persistent skin irritation. This targeted method provides a clear, focused means of interrupting the life cycle of the mites and lice.

Regulatory References

  1. WHO Essential Medicines List - Benzyl Benzoate
  2. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

What side effects are possible with Acil?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Acil (Benzyl Benzoate) is defined primarily by effects on the Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, reflecting its use as a topical ectoparasiticide. Regulatory documents classify local reactions as the most common adverse events.

Adverse Reaction Classifications

Classification Adverse Reaction Contextual Note (Regulatory)
Very Common Skin irritation, Burning sensation, Transient redness Typically occur immediately upon application and are short-lived.
Common Stinging, Post-application pruritus May be more intense on areas of pre-existing eczema or inflammation.
Rare / Not Known Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., Angioedema) Serious but rare events associated with the immune system.

Key Safety Constraints

The most serious adverse reactions, although rare, are related to systemic absorption of the active ingredient. The product is contraindicated for use in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to Benzyl Benzoate or its components, as this carries a risk of serious immune system disorders.

Population-specific safety considerations are noted for infants and young children. Due to their thinner skin and higher surface area-to-volume ratio, this population has an increased risk of absorption, which, if excessive, can potentially lead to CNS excitation or seizures. For all users, application should be strictly avoided on extensive raw or excoriated skin, as this condition significantly enhances systemic uptake, thereby increasing the potential for associated toxicity, as specified in official governmental labeling.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help for Acil

Overdose information for Acil (Benzyl Benzoate) is defined by officially documented manifestations and required emergency actions, primarily linked to accidental oral ingestion or excessive systemic absorption through the skin.

Documented Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

Systemic toxicity is characterized by Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulation, which can escalate to convulsions (seizures), uncontrolled shaking, and a sudden loss of consciousness (stupor). Severe consequences explicitly noted in regulatory documents include the potential for respiratory paralysis or failure. Local overdose from excessive topical application may present as severe skin reactions like reddening, blister formation, and crusting, which increase systemic absorption risk.

Emergency Actions and Supportive Management

In the event of accidental oral ingestion or the development of systemic symptoms, immediate medical advice and attention must be sought. Official regulatory documents state that no specific antidote is known for this overdose. Supportive management for ingestion typically involves gastric lavage or aspiration, and convulsions are to be managed pharmacologically, generally with intravenous diazepam.

Population-Specific Considerations

A heightened risk of systemic toxicity exists for neonates and low-birth-weight infants due to specific metabolic concerns involving Benzyl Alcohol. Increased systemic absorption is also noted following application to broken, acutely inflamed, or open skin.

Therapeutic Uses of Acil

Therapeutic Use and Indications

Acil is primarily used to manage conditions related to the overproduction of gastric acid. It belongs to a class of medications known as histamine-2 (H2) blockers. By reducing the volume and concentration of acid produced in the stomach, it facilitates the healing of damaged tissue and provides relief from acid-related discomfort.

Main Uses

  • Treatment of Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers: It is used to promote the healing of active ulcers in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). It is also used in lower doses to prevent the recurrence of these ulcers once they have healed.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): The medication is indicated for the management of GERD, a condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation.
  • Erosive Esophagitis: It treats damage to the lining of the esophagus caused by persistent acid reflux.
  • Hypersecretory Conditions: It is used to manage rare pathological conditions where the stomach produces excessive amounts of acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Expected Benefits

  • Symptom Relief: Significant reduction in common symptoms such as heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.
  • Tissue Recovery: By lowering acid levels, the medication provides a stable environment that allows the mucosal lining of the stomach and esophagus to repair itself.
  • Prevention of Complications: Long-term management helps reduce the risk of more serious complications associated with chronic acid exposure, such as esophageal scarring or strictures.

Regulatory References

  1. World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The eligibility profile for Acil (Benzyl Benzoate) is strictly defined by regulatory criteria related to specific contraindications, age limits, and the physical condition of the application area.


Who Must Not Use Acil?

Acil is contraindicated for any individual with a known hypersensitivity to Benzyl Benzoate or any of the product's excipients. Application is strictly prohibited on broken skin, open wounds, cuts, or acutely inflamed or secondarily infected skin. These restrictions are in place to minimize the risk of increased systemic absorption and local irritation. Contact with the eyes and mucous membranes must also be avoided.


Age and Conditional Eligibility

The medicine is documented as permissible for use in adults and children over 2 months of age. The official labeling typically advises that use in infants and young children is conditional, often requiring dilution of the standard preparation. For women, use during pregnancy is generally considered not contraindicated due to minimal systemic absorption. Breastfeeding women must adhere to specific restrictions, including avoiding application to the breasts and suspending feeding until the product has been washed off. Specific organ impairment restrictions for renal or hepatic function are not consistently documented for this topical agent.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The official interaction profile for Acil, which contains the active ingredient Benzyl Benzoate, is defined by the absence of documented systemic interactions in regulatory prescribing information. As a topical medication with limited systemic absorption, official government documents do not cite complex drug interactions that affect exposure or safety in the manner of orally administered medicines.

Interaction Category Regulatory Documentation Status
Systemic Drug-Drug Interactions None documented. No systemic medicines are listed as interacting with or contraindicated for co-administration.
Metabolic/PK Interactions None documented. Official labels do not describe interactions related to Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes or drug transporters.
Food, Alcohol, or Supplements None documented. No specific interaction patterns with food, alcohol, or herbal products are identified in official regulatory summaries.

The regulatory findings confirm that co-administration does not typically result in exposure-altering effects, such as modifications to the AUC or Cmax of co-administered medicines. The primary requirement concerning administration is a constraint related to the application site: the presence of other oily or creamy topical preparations may physically interfere with the efficacy of Acil, necessitating the area be cleansed and dried before use. This constraint is procedural, not a pharmacokinetic drug interaction. No specific population-dependent interaction cautions are noted in official labeling.

Mechanism of Action

Acil exerts its effect by acting within distinct receptor- or enzyme-mediated signaling domains to modulate key pathways associated with altered physiological responses. Its mechanism of action involves targeted engagement of several mechanistic cascades that collectively alter the dynamic state of specific physiological pathways.


Modulation of Specific Receptor-Mediated Signaling

Acil initiates or suppresses signaling sequences by binding to a distinct signaling pattern on specific cellular receptors. This action modifies early molecular steps which shape systemic physiological outcomes by reducing the functional consequence of increased mediator activity in targeted biological systems.


Influence on Enzyme Activity in Specific Pathways

The drug alters the activity of regulatory mechanisms within specific signaling cascades by influencing enzyme activity within key mechanistic cascades. This shifts the kinetic balance within the pathway in systems where pathway activity may escalate under certain conditions, resulting in alterations in specific physiological measurements that define Acil's effect profile.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Acil: Official Administration Guidelines

Acil (Benzyl Benzoate 25% topical preparation) is administered solely via the Topical Route (cutaneous use). The medication is supplied as a 25% emulsion or lotion and is used according to specific protocols.


Standard Dosing Schedule

For scabies treatment, the preparation should be shaken well prior to use. The product is applied thoroughly to the entire body from the neck down and should remain on the skin for 8 to 12 hours on each night of the course. The standard regimen requires application for two consecutive nights, with thorough washing after each application. A repeated course may be followed at night 7 days later if deemed necessary.

For pediculosis (lice), the medication is applied only to the affected area and allowed to remain on for 24 hours, followed by thorough washing. In severe or persistent cases, the treatment may be repeated after intervals of 7 and 14 days.


Age-Specific Use and Procedural Conditions

The preparation is modified through dilution for specific populations. For older children, the 25% emulsion should be diluted with an equal quantity of water (1:1 ratio). For infants, a more significant dilution is required, generally mixing the product with three parts of water (1:3 ratio).

Procedural steps are integral to the use protocol. Before application, the skin must be washed, rinsed, and dried well. After the required contact time, thorough bathing and a complete change of clothing and bedding are required to complete the treatment cycle. The medication must omit the head and neck for adult scabies treatment and application requires care to avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Acil

The active ingredient in Acil (Benzyl Benzoate) is included in authoritative reference lists, such as the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List, as an ectoparasiticide. The research evidence base is derived primarily from comparative clinical trials, systematic reviews, and observational studies conducted globally. Research generally focuses on what happens to the parasite population and related symptoms over defined, short-term periods, and findings provide context for understanding symptom patterns.


Evidence for Use in Scabies Infestations

Research into the use of Acil for mite infestations includes Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) that compare the active ingredient against other agents or placebos, alongside broader Systematic Reviews and Observational Studies. These studies have primarily focused on key outcomes such as examining measurements of parasitic clearance and clinical cure, which reflects the resolution of visible lesions and signs of active infestation. Studies have also monitored patient-reported outcomes related to pruritus, or the intensity and frequency of itching.

Systematic reviews describe patterns related to measured parasitic clearance and symptom evolution within the observed populations. Findings related to the active ingredient have been reported as varied or inconsistent across individual trials. What remains uncertain is the impact of differing concentrations of the active ingredient, as this variability in how studies were designed can make direct comparisons complex.


Long-Term Studies and Follow-Up Data

The majority of clinical investigations evaluating the use of Acil for parasitic conditions are designed for short- to intermediate-term follow-up, typically assessing outcomes within four to six weeks post-treatment. This duration allows for the observation of outcomes related to parasitic clearance and clinical cure within the study timeframe. Long-term effects are not fully established because the follow-up durations were limited in many key studies. Research provides limited insight into the sustained absence of re-infestation or the overall durability of the outcome over periods extending beyond a few months.


Evidence in Specific Populations

Research has explored the use of Acil in various populations, including adults and children. Current research provides context on how the medicine was evaluated in general pediatric and adult populations, but specific subgroup findings for individuals with certain health conditions are often not well characterized in large-scale trials. Data for certain groups remain insufficient or are limited, highlighting areas for ongoing research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Acil (FAQ)

Q: Is it normal to feel tired after starting Acil?

Drowsiness or fatigue is not listed as a common or very common adverse reaction in the official regulatory documents for this topical medicine. The safety information primarily describes local effects on the skin, such as irritation and a burning sensation, with only rare risks of effects that could impact the central nervous system.

Q: Is it common for people to get headaches from Acil?

Headaches are not noted among the frequently reported side effects in official safety summaries for the topical use of Acil’s active ingredient. As an ectoparasiticide applied to the skin, most reported effects are confined to local skin reactions.

Q: How is dizziness described in relation to Acil use?

Dizziness is not a common side effect of Acil. However, official safety information indicates that excessive systemic absorption, especially in infants or through broken skin, may rarely lead to signs of Central Nervous System (CNS) excitation. Regulatory information advises strict care to avoid using the product on extensive raw or excoriated skin, which is known to enhance absorption.

Q: Does Acil affect sleep patterns?

Official documents do not specifically state that Acil affects sleep patterns. The medicine is primarily associated with local skin reactions. While there is a rare, theoretical risk of CNS effects with excessive absorption, this is not a generally expected outcome.

Q: What is the intended duration of use for Acil?

Acil is intended for a short-term treatment regimen to clear parasitic infestations. Official product information describes a specified, limited course of use, and the medicine is not intended for chronic, prolonged administration. Research evidence has not established the effects of administration over extended periods.

Q: Can I stop taking Acil suddenly, or do I need to reduce it slowly?

Official administration instructions define a fixed, short-term treatment course, such as applying the product over two consecutive nights. For this topical medicine, the concept of slowly reducing the dose, or tapering, is not applicable or discussed in the regulatory documents.

Q: Is Acil the same type of medicine as [similar drug name]?

Acil's active ingredient, Benzyl Benzoate, is officially classified as an ectoparasiticide. This means its pharmacological function is to eliminate external parasites, specifically mites and lice. Official documents define the drug by this targeted classification.

Q: Can Acil be used for things other than what the doctor prescribed?

Official regulatory labels restrict the approved uses of Acil to the treatment of scabies and pediculosis (lice). Uses outside of these specific, approved conditions are not described in the official prescribing information.

Q: What is the expected timeline for Acil to start working?

The medicine’s action occurs while it remains on the skin for the specified application time. Clinical trials and official documents focus on results like parasitic clearance and symptom resolution being observed in the days and weeks following the full treatment course.

Q: How long after stopping Acil does it stay in my system?

Due to its topical route, the systemic absorption of Acil is limited. The small amount that may enter the body is rapidly broken down into other substances, which are quickly eliminated from the body, primarily in the urine.

Q: Are the side effects of Acil permanent?

Common side effects, such as skin irritation and a burning sensation, are described in regulatory documents as transient (short-lived). These effects typically resolve after the application is thoroughly washed off, and official documents do not indicate long-term or permanent effects from proper use.

Q: What happens if I miss a time I was supposed to take Acil?

Official patient directions typically describe that if a scheduled application is missed, the full treatment course should still be completed. The full, prescribed course of treatment is considered necessary to achieve the intended effect of the medicine.

Q: Is there a generic version of Acil available?

The active ingredient in Acil, Benzyl Benzoate, is widely available as a generic medication in many regions. Its generic status contributes to its inclusion on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

Q: What are the most common reasons a person might stop using Acil?

Regulatory documents advise that individuals should stop using Acil if they experience a known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to the product. Discontinuation may also be necessary if the skin reaction or irritation is unusually severe or persistent after the required wash-off period.

Q: Can I take Acil with my daily vitamin or supplement?

Official regulatory summaries state that there are no documented systemic drug-drug interactions for this topical medicine. There are also no cited interaction patterns with food, alcohol, or herbal products, which indicates no known issues with co-administration of vitamins or supplements.

Q: Does Acil affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Acil is generally not expected to affect a person's ability to drive or operate machinery. Official product warnings related to these activities are not typically noted because the effects are local to the skin and the medicine has limited systemic absorption.

Q: Is Acil available over-the-counter in some places?

The regulatory status of Acil’s active ingredient, Benzyl Benzoate, is not uniform globally. In some jurisdictions, the product is classified as a non-prescription drug for certain uses, while in many others it requires a prescription.

Q: What if I vomit after taking Acil?

Acil is for topical use only and is not intended to be swallowed. If the medicine is accidentally taken orally, immediate medical attention should be sought. Official safety data advises seeking immediate medical attention if accidental ingestion occurs, noting that guidance on ingestion often recommends against inducing vomiting and to rinse the mouth with water.

Q: Does Acil lose its effectiveness over time?

The product is manufactured to remain stable and potent until the expiration date printed on the label. This is contingent upon the medicine being stored according to the mandated conditions, such as keeping it below 25°C and away from direct light and heat.

Q: Can men and women take Acil the same way?

The official standard dosing schedule is determined by the condition being treated (scabies or lice) and the user's age (adult or child). Regulatory documentation does not define different administration procedures based on the user's gender.

Q: Are there different strengths or forms (tablet, liquid) of Acil?

Acil is available as a topical preparation for use on the skin. It is commonly supplied as an emulsion, lotion, or solution, with a strength frequently cited in international regulatory documents being 25%.

Q: What is the shelf life of Acil once opened?

Official product information generally advises that the medicine should be used until the expiry date on the label. This assumes the product is stored correctly, kept tightly closed in its original container, and has not been contaminated.

Q: Is Acil addictive or habit-forming?

Official regulatory warnings for Acil focus primarily on local skin effects and the rare risk of CNS excitation associated with excessive absorption. The medicine is not classified as a controlled substance and is not associated with dependency or habit-forming potential.

How should Acil be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal of Acil (Benzyl Benzoate)

Storage Requirements

Official labeling mandates specific conditions to maintain Acil's stability. The medicine must be stored in a cool, dry place at a temperature below 25°C and must be kept from freezing. Storage must be away from direct heat and light with the container tightly closed in its original receptacle. For safety, the product must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Acil is subject to environmental restrictions. Regulatory documents strictly require that the product not be disposed of via household waste or wastewater, and release to the environment must be avoided. Unused or expired medicine should be handled by an approved waste disposal plant, and users are instructed to consult a pharmacist for proper disposal.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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