Lauromacrogols

General information

Lauromacrogols are mixtures of monolauryl esters of macrogols. They have the following general formula: C ₁₂ H ₂₅ (OCH ₂ CH ₂ ) _n OH. Each is named after the number n in its formula. For example, in lauromacrogol 400 (polidocanol), n = 400. They have been used as surfactants, spermicides, solvents, and non-ionic emulsifiers.

Lauromacrogol 9 has been used as a sclerosant and local anesthetic.

Lauromacrogol 400 (polidocanol) has been used as a solvent and non-ionic emulsifier that contains 95% hydroxypolyethoxydodecane and 5% ethyl alcohol. In medicaments it has been used as a topical anesthetic, an antipruritic, and a sclerosant.