phenolphthalein

[ fee-nawl-thal-een, -ee-in, -fthal-, -nol- ]

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline compound, C 2 0 H 1 4 O 4 , used as an indicator in acid-base titration and as a laxative.

phenolphthalein

/ -lɪɪn; ˌfiːnɒlˈθeɪliːn; -ˈθæl- /

noun

1. a colourless crystalline compound used in medicine as a laxative and in chemistry as an indicator. Formula: C 20 H 14 O 4

phenolphthalein

/ fē′nōl-thăl′ēn′ /

1. A white or pale-yellow, crystalline powder used as an indicator for acid and basic solutions. In solutions that are either neutral or basic, it is colorless, while it is pink or red in solutions that are alkali. It is also used as a laxative and in making dyes. Chemical formula: C 20 H 14 O 4 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenolphthalein¹

First recorded in 1870–75; phenol + phthalein

Example Sentences

Still other dietary supplement products for weight loss contained the laxative phenolphthalein or prescription diuretics.

From Salon

Phenolphthalein is no longer used as a laxative in the U.S. because it may cause cancer and hurt fetuses.

From Salon

The review of a Food and Drug Administration database of contaminated supplements for the years 2007 to 2016 most commonly turned up sildenafil — the drug sold as Viagra — and other erectile dysfunction drugs in sex enhancement products; sibutramine and the laxative phenolphthalein, both banned by the FDA, in weight-loss supplements; and steroids or their analogues in muscle-building products.

From Washington Post

In 2015 alone, at least 53 weight-loss supplements were found to contain actual drugs, including two that the FDA pulled from the market because of health risks: the prescription weight-loss drug sibutramine and the laxative phenolphthalein.

From Washington Post

A chemical called phenolphthalein -- not approved by FDA -- was found in a Chinese product called Zi Xiu Tang Beauty Face & Figure Capsule.

From US News