Benzyl benzoate occurs naturally in Peruvian and Tulu balsams as well as other essential oils. It was used in Vietnam War as a repellant for ticks and mites. Benzyl benzoate was used as an antispasmodic, but has been replaced with more effective treatments. In many poor regions, it is the first-line intervention for patients with scabies. Benzyl benzoate is used in veterinary medicine as a both scabicide and pediculicide. Benzyl benzoate is a common additive to body care, cosmetics, and food. 

Uses

Medical

Benzyl benzoate is an effective and inexpensive topical treatment for human scabies.It has vasodilating and spasmolytic effects and is present in many asthma and whooping cough drugs.It is also used as an excipient in some testosterone-replacement medications (like Nebido) for treating hypogonadism.

Benzyl benzoate is used as a topical acaricide, scabicide, and pediculicide in veterinary hospitals.

Non-medical

Benzyl benzoate is used as a repellent for chiggers, ticks, and mosquitoes.It is also used as a dye carrier, solvent for cellulose derivatives, plasticizer, and fixative in the perfume industry.

Side effects

Benzyl benzoate has low acute toxicity in laboratory animals. It is rapidly hydrolyzed to benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol is subsequently metabolized to benzoic acid. The conjugates of benzoic acid (hippuric acid and the glucuronide of benzoic acid) are rapidly eliminated in urine.When given in large doses to laboratory animals, benzyl benzoate can cause hyperexcitation, loss of coordination, ataxia, convulsions, and respiratory paralysis.

Benzyl benzoate can be a skin irritant when used as a topical scabicide.Overdose can result in blistering and hives or a rash can occur as an allergic reaction.

As an excipient in some testosterone-replacement injectable medications, benzyl benzoate has been reported as a cause of anaphylaxis in a case in Australia.Bayer includes this report in information for health professionals and recommends that physicians "should be aware of the potential for serious allergic reactions" to preparations of this type.In Australia, reports to ADRAC, which evaluates reports of adverse drug reactions for the Therapeutic Goods Administration, show several reports of allergic issues since the anaphylaxis case from 2011.

Benzyl benzoate acts as a local irritant. At high levels of exposure, free benzoic acid may sequester significant amounts of acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), which could disrupt cholinergic signaling. Recent findings suggest that benzyl benzoate may have estrogenic properties.