Methylparaben
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 5, 2024.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Methylparaben has been used as a preservative in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries for over 50 years. The chemical formula for methyl paraben is C8H8O3. It is also found naturally in fruits like blueberries where it has antimicrobial activity.
Methylparaben is completely absorbed through the skin or after ingestion, and it is hydrolyzed to para-hydroxybenzoic acid, and metabolites are rapidly excreted in the urine. There is no evidence of accumulation. It is on the FDA generally regarded as safe list.
Acute toxicity studies in animals indicate that methylparaben is practically non-toxic by both oral and injectable routes. It has not been shown to be teratogenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or embryotoxic.
It does not appear to be irritating when used topically, although some people may show cross-sensitivity if allergic to local anesthetics that are metabolized to para-aminobenzoic acid. Cases of local contact dermatitis have been reported.[1][2][3] All parabens have similar structure to estrogen. Studies conducted in the early 2000s located traces of parabens in breast tumors, but evidence has not linked parabens with breast cancer.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) reviewed the safety of methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in 1984 and concluded they were safe for use in cosmetic products at levels up to 25%. Typically parabens are used at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3%.[4]
Some examples of medications containing Methylparaben
- Acetaminophen 500 mg
- Acetaminophen 325 mg
- Advil 200 mg
- Amantadine Hydrochloride 100 mg
- Benzonatate 100 mg
- Benzonatate 100 mg
- Benzonatate 100 mg
- Benzonatate 200 mg
- Benzonatate 100 mg
- Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25 mg
- Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25 mg
- Gentle Laxative bisacodyl 5 mg
- Nortriptyline Hydrochloride 25 mg
- Oxazepam 15 mg
- Phenytoin Sodium Extended 100 mg
- Sennosides 25 mg
- Temazepam 15 mg
- Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mg
- Vimovo esomeprazole 20 mg / naproxen 500 mg
References
- US Department of Labor. OSHA. Safety and Health Topics. Methylparaben. Accessed 8/17/2012 http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_254445.html
- FDA’s SCOGS database; methylparaben; SCOGS-Report Number: 8; Accessed 8/17/2012. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=210
- Soni MG, Taylor SL, Greenberg NA, et al. Evaluation of the health aspects of methyl paraben: a review of the published literature. Food Chem. Toxicol. 40:1335-73. Accessed 8/17/2012 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691502001072
- US Food and Drug Administration. Cosmetics. Parabens. Accessed 8/19/2012. http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productandingredientsafety/selectedcosmeticingredients/ucm128042.htm
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.