Benzyl alcool (in vet N) : dangerous ?

[Alucard]

Switzerland's N (assisted suicide) does not contain Benzyl. Only the veterinary N contains it.

However, here are the side effects of this alcohol:

"Benzyl alcohol has low acute toxicity with an LD50 of 1.2 g/kg in rats. It oxidizes rapidly in healthy individuals to benzoic acid, conjugated with glycine in the liver, and excreted as hippuric acid. Very high concentrations can result in toxic effects including respiratory failure, vasodilation, hypotension, convulsions, and paralysis.
Benzyl alcohol is toxic to neonates and is associated with the gasping syndrome.
Benzyl alcohol is severely toxic and highly irritating to the eye. Pure benzyl alcohol produces corneal necrosis.
Benzyl alcohol is not considered to be a carcinogen, and no data are available regarding teratogenic or reproductive effects."

Benzyl alcohol - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If we survive from N, are there dangerous side effects because of this alcohol ?

 

[Aap]

Do you actually have vet N, or are you trying to find reasons not to get it?

 

[Alucard]

Do you actually have vet N, or are you trying to find reasons not to get it?

I have it, and all the stuff. I just want to be sure.

 

[Aap]

It is extensively found in vaping fluid if that makes you feel any better. It's a common additive.

 

[Alucard]

It is extensively found in vaping fluid if that makes you feel any better. It's a common additive.

Thanks you, it reassures me indeed. Have you other examples of products with Benzyl ?

 

[Aap]

If it worries you don't take it. Honestly, it's like worrying an alcohol swab wasn't used before inserting the needle for a lethal injection or the blade of the guillotine wasn't quite clean.

 

[Alucard]

If it worries you don't take it. Honestly, it's like worrying an alcohol swab wasn't used before inserting the needle for a lethal injection or the blade of the guillotine wasn't quite clean.

Haha. I see... thanks for the comparison.

 

[SnowStroller]

@Alucard, I looked into the benzyl alcohol content of dolethal and found that there is no issue whatsoever.

Dolethal 200 mg/ml Solution for

Dolethal 200 mg/ml Solution for Injection - Pentobarbital Sodium Pentobarbital Sodium - Neurological Agent euthanasia agent - Cats, Cattle, Dogs - Vetoquinol

myhealthbox.eu

According to this link (among others), dolethal contains 10.40 mg of benzyl alcohol per 1 ml of solution. So for 100 ml of solution, that means there is only 1.04 g of benzyl alcohol in a single bottle of dolethal.

Benzyl alcohol - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

As you read on wikipedia, "benzyl alcohol has low acute toxicity with an LD50 of 1.2 g/kg in rats." LD50 is a measure of the lethal dose of a toxin. So for someone weighing 160 pounds (or 72 kg), that would mean it would take 86.4 g of benzyl alcohol to reach toxic levels in that individual. So the benzyl alcohol content in dolethal is fairly negligible and relatively safe.

Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl Alcohol | C6H5CH2OH or C7H8O | CID 244 - structure, chemical names, physical and chemical properties, classification, patents, literature, biological activities, safety/hazards/toxicity information, supplier lists, and more.

pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Furthermore, "benzyl alcohol is produced naturally by many plants and is commonly found in fruits and teas. It is a sweet, balsamic, and berry tasting compound that can be found in a number of food items such as strawberry, small-leaf linden, napa cabbage, and kai-lan." In other words, it's naturally occurring and has a tolerable smell and taste. The scary stuff you see written about its toxicity only applies to ridiculously high doses of it, and arguably any compound found in nature (e.g. the acids in fruits) can have these warnings.