Boric Acid

Synonyms: Acidum boricum; boracic acid; boraic acid; Borofax; boron trihydroxide; E284; orthoboric acid; trihydroxyborene

Description: Boric acid occurs as a hygroscopic, white crystalline powder, colorless shiny plates, or white crystals.

Chemical Name: Orthoboric acid  Metaboric acid

Antimicrobial preservative; buffering agent.

• Boric acid is used as an antimicrobial preservative in eye drops, cosmetic products, ointments, and topical creams.

• It is also used as an antimicrobial preservative in foods.

• Boric acid and borate have good buffering capacity and are used to control pH; they have been used for this purpose in external preparations such as eye drops.

• Boric acid has also been used therapeutically in the form of suppositories to treat yeast infections.

• In dilute concentrations it is used as a mild antiseptic, with weak bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties, although it has generally been superseded by more effective and less toxic disinfectants.

Boric acid is incompatible with water, strong bases and alkali metals. It reacts violently with potassium and acid anhydrides. It also forms a complex with glycerin, which is a stronger acid than boric acid.

Boric acid is a weak bacteriostatic and antimicrobial agent, and has been used in topical preparations such as eye lotions, mouthwashes and gargles. It has also been used in US- and Japanese-approved intravenous products. Solutions of boric acid were formerly used to wash out body cavities, and as applications to wounds and ulcers, although the use of boric acid for these purposes is now regarded as inadvisable owing to the possibility of absorption

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Boric acid is irritating to the skin and is potentially toxic by inhalation. Gloves, eye protection, protective clothing, and a respirator are recommended.

Sodium borate.