Methylbenzethonium Chloride is included in commercial preparations of Leshcutan ointment at a concentration of 12%. The label instructions indicate to apply ointment twice daily for about 10 days.

Mouse CGR8 embryonic stem cells (ESCs), adapted to grow in the absence of feeder cells, were cultured in Glasgow Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with 10 % bovine serum, 100 units/mL leukemia inhibitory factor, 50 micro-M beta-mercaptoethanol, and 100 U/mL of penicillin/streptomycin and temperature controlled at 37 deg-C in a 5% CO2 atmosphere. Cells were distributed in a 96 well plate and screened against a library of small molecules at a final concentration of 10 micro-M per compound. Cultures were incubated with compounds for 48 hours prior to measuring cell viability by XTT colorimetric assay. Compound 199A was identified as methylbenzethonium chloride and was among those that killed or significantly attenuated the cell growth. An LD50 for methylbenzethonium chloride was determined to be 20 micro-M.