Tea Tree Oil (Australian tea tree oil, cymeme, melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca oil, oil of melaleuca)

Suggested dosing of Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil)

 

Acne

Apply 5% gel topically daily

 

Onychomycosis

Apply 100% solution topically BID x 6 mth

 

Tinea pedis

Apply 10% cream topically BID x 1 mth Or

25-50% solution applied BID x 1 mth

 

Suggested uses of Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil)

Acne, athlete's foot, ear infections, insect bites/stings, lice, local antiseptic, onychomycosis, ringworm, scabies, skin surface infections

 

Efficacy

Possibly effective for acne, fungal skin infections, onychomycosis

 

Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Allergic contact eczema

Allergic contact dermatitis

Local irritation/inflammation

Ototoxicity (otitis use)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

None reported

 

Cautions

None reported

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Australian tea tree oil, cymeme (tea tree oil)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Terpinen-4-ol has broad-spectrum antibacterial & antifungal properties

Alpha-terpineol & linalool also antimicrobiaL