Metacresol (m-cresol or 3-methylphenol) is colorless, yellowish liquid. It is used as a bactericide for control of crown gall and olive knot on certain fruit and nut trees and ornamentals and the genetic/physiological disorder burr knot on apples. Currently, one product is registered which contains both m-cresol and xylenol. Used as disinfectant/bacteriocide/germicide for animal pathogenic bacteria (G- and G+ vegetative) in households, sickrooms, hospitals, veterinary clinics, and veterinary hospitals; on surgical instruments, diagnostic instruments/equipment and on hospital critical rubber/plastic items. Used as an insecticide and miticide on dogs for treatment of lice and fleas. It is also used for making synthetic resins; in photographic developers, explosives. Additionally, m-cresol is chemical intermediate for thymol used in cough/cold medicinals, synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, 3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol, trinitro-m-cresol for explosives, and phenolic resins; disinfectant ingredient; ore flotation agent; solvent. m-Cresol, either pure or mixed with p-cresol, is important in the production of contact herbicides. m-Cresol is also a precursor to the pyrethroid insecticides. Furthermore, many flavor and fragrance compounds, such as (-)-methanol and musk ambrette, are derived from m-cresol. Several important antioxidants including synthetic vitamin E are produced from m-cresol. m-cresol is used as a topical dental antiseptic. m-cresol is an effective antimicrobial preservative and is used at low levels (0.3%) in multi-dose peptide and protein formulations. m-cresol has been shown to cause protein aggregation.

Netarsudil ophthalmic solution (Rhopressa) is a Rho kinase inhibitor for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. As of December 18, 2017 the FDA approved Aerie Pharmaceutical's Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% for the indication of reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Acting as both a rho kinase inhibitor and a norepinephrine transport inhibitor, Netarsudil is a novel glaucoma medication in that it specifically targets the conventional trabecular pathway of aqueous humour outflow to act as an inhibitor to the rho kinase and norepinephrine transporters found there as opposed to affecting protaglandin F2-alpha analog like mechanisms in the unconventional uveoscleral pathway that many other glaucoma medications demonstrate.