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.

Subitramine is a potent inhibitor of monoamines (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline) reuptake that was approved by FDA for the treatmen of obesity. Sibutramine is metabolized to metabolites M1 and M2 which are more active toward the monoamine transporters.The drug was withdrawn from the market because of clinical trial data indicating an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It was sold under a variety of brand names including Reductil, Meridia and Sibutrex.