Myristic Acid

Synonyms: Edenor C14 98-100; n-tetradecanoic acid; 1-tridecanecarboxylic acid.

Description: Myristic acid occurs as an oily white crystalline solid with a faint odor.

Chemical Name: Tetradecanoic acid

Emulsifying agent; skin penetrant; tablet and capsule lubricant.

• Myristic acid is used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations.

• Myristic acid has been evaluated as a penetration enhancer in melatonin transdermal patches in rats and bupropion formulations on human cadaver skin.

• Further studies have assessed the suitability of myristic acid in oxymorphone formulations and clobetasol 17-propionate topical applications.

• Furthermore, polyvinyl alcohol substituted with myristic acid (as well as other fatty acids) at different substitution degrees has been used for the preparation of biodegradable microspheres containing progesterone or indomethacin

Myristic acid is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and bases.

Myristic acid is used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations and is generally regarded as nontoxic and nonirritant at the levels employed as an excipient. However, myristic acid is reported to be an eye and skin irritant at high levels and is poisonous by intravenous administration. Mutation data have also been reported.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of the material handled. Acrid smoke and irritating fumes are emitted when myristic acid is heated to decomposition.

Lauric acid; myristyl alcohol; palmitic acid; potassium myristate; sodium myristate; stearic acid.