Identification
- Generic Name
- Boric acid
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB11326
- Background
Boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate, is a weak monobasic Lewis acid of boron with the chemical formula H3BO3. Boric acid is typically utilized in industrial processing and manufacturing, but is also used as an additive in pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, lotions, soaps, mouthwash, toothpaste, astringents, and eyewashes 4. It is known to exhibit some antibacterial activity against infections such as bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis 1.
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved
- Structure
Structure for Boric acid (DB11326)
- Weight
- Average: 61.833
Monoisotopic: 62.017524428 - Chemical Formula
- BH3O3
- Synonyms
- ácido bórico
- boracic acid
- Boric acid
- hydrogen borate
- orthoboric acid
- External IDs
- E-284
- INS NO.284
- INS-284
- NSC-81726
Pharmacology
- Indication
No FDA- or EMA-approved therapeutic indications on its own.
Reduce drug development failure ratesBuild, train, & validate machine-learning modelswith evidence-based and structured datasets.Build, train, & validate predictive machine-learning models with structured datasets.- Associated Conditions
Indication Type Indication Combined Product Details Approval Level Age Group Patient Characteristics Dose Form Treatment of Acne ••• ••• •••••••• Used in combination for symptomatic treatment of Asthenopia Combination Product in combination with: Witch hazel (DB11111), Sodium borate (DB14505) ••• ••• •••••••• • ••••• Used in combination to treat Ocular irritation Combination Product in combination with: Sodium borate (DB14505) ••• ••• ••••••• ••••••••• •••••••• • ••••• Treatment of Ocular irritation ••• ••• Used in combination to treat Skin mycoses Combination Product in combination with: Phenol (DB03255), Resorcinol (DB11085) •••••••••••• •••••••• - Associated Therapies
- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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Boric acid exhibits minimal bacteriostatic and antifungal activities 4. Boric acid is likely to mediate antifungal actions at high concentrations over prolonged exposures 3.
- Mechanism of action
Information regarding the mechanism of action of boric acid in mediating its antibacterial or antifungal actions is limited. Boric acid inhibits biofilm formation and hyphal transformation of Candida albicans, which are critical virulence factors 3. In addition, arrest of fungal growth was observed with the treatment of boric acid 3.
- Absorption
Boric acid is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, open wounds, and serous cavities but displays limited absorption in intact skin 4. Following intraperitoneal injection in mice, the peak concentration was reached in about 1.0-1.5 hr in the brain whereas the value was 0.5 hr in other tissues 4.
- Volume of distribution
Volume of distribution ranges from 0.17 to 0.5 L/kg in humans, where large amounts of boric acid are localized in brain, liver, and kidney 4.
- Protein binding
No protein binding reported.
- Metabolism
No metabolic pathways reported.
- Route of elimination
Regardless the route of administration, boric acid predominantly undergoes rapid renal excretion of >90% of total administered dose as unchanged form. Small amounts are also excreted into sweat, saliva, and feces. Following administration as ointment, urinary excretion of boric acid accounted for only 1% of the administered dose 4.
- Half-life
According to human cases of poisoning, the elimination half-life of boric acid ranges from 13 to 24 hours 2,4.
- Clearance
A case report of acute boric acid poisoning following oral ingestion of 21 g of boric acid presents the total body clearance of 0.99 L/h before hemodialysis 2.
- Adverse Effects
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Acute oral LD50 is 2660 mg/kg in rat MSDS. Individuals are likely to be exposed to boric acid from industrial manufacturing or processing. Local tissue injury from boric acid exposure is likely due to caustic effects. Systemic effects from boric acid poisoning usually occur from multiple exposures over a period of days and involve gastrointestinal, dermal, CNS, and renal manifestations. Gastrointestinal toxicity include persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric pain, hematemesis, and blue-green discoloration of the feces and vomit 4. Following the onset of GI symptoms, a characteristic intense generalized erythroderma follows 4. Management of mild to moderate toxicity should be supportive. In case of severe toxicity, dialysis may be required in addition to supportive treatment.
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs Browse all" title="About SNP Mediated Effects/ADRs" id="snp-actions-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions Learn More" title="About Drug Interactions" id="structured-interactions-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.Not Available
- Food Interactions
- No interactions found.
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Over the Counter Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Acide Borique Powder Topical Produits Marc O (1987) Inc., Division Of Technilab Inc. 1951-12-31 2000-08-24 Canada 
Boracic Acid Pwr Powder Topical Stanley Pharmaceuticals, A Division Of Vita Health Products Inc. 1972-12-31 2000-07-27 Canada Boric Acid Powder, for solution Topical Dawson Traders Ltd. 1985-12-31 2006-03-22 Canada Boric Acid Pwr 100% Powder 100 % Nasal; Ophthalmic; Topical Regal Pharms, Division Of Bradcan Corporation 1978-12-31 1998-07-29 Canada Boric Acid Solution 2.5% Lotion 2.5 % Ophthalmic Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 1982-12-31 1999-07-14 Canada - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image British Army Foot Pwr Boric acid (6 mg / 100 mg) + Formaldehyde (.75 mg / 100 mg) + Salicylic acid (3 mg / 100 mg) + Zinc oxide (6 mg / 100 mg) Powder Topical Regal Pharms, Division Of Bradcan Corporation 1980-12-31 2001-07-11 Canada CASTELLANI'S PAINT (STAINLESS) Boric acid (0.8 % w/w) + Phenol (4 % w/w) + Resorcinol (8 % w/w) Liquid Topical ICM PHARMA PTE. LTD. 1989-06-15 Not applicable Singapore 
Collyre Hygienique Soker Boric acid (11.1 mg / mL) + Sodium borate (1.89 mg / mL) Liquid Ophthalmic Produits Francais Labs Inc. 1978-12-31 1997-05-30 Canada DERIVERIN MERHEM, 25 G Boric acid (1.25 g/25g) + Aluminum hydroxide (2.5 g/25g) + Balsam of Peru (1.25 g/25g) + Zinc oxide (1.25 g/25g) Ointment Topical ADEKA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. 1968-06-05 Not applicable Turkey 
Eye Eze Boric acid (1.11 %) + Sodium borate (.18 %) Liquid Ophthalmic Pharmavite Laboratories (1987) Inc. 1958-12-31 2006-07-27 Canada - Unapproved/Other Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Gynox-soft Boric acid (7 mg/100mL) Emulsion Topical Spai Sons Pharmaceutical International Cosmetics 2012-06-30 Not applicable US 
Recal D Boric acid (250 ug/1) + Calcium carbonate (1342 mg/1) + Cholecalciferol (300 [iU]/1) + Cyanocobalamin (125 ug/1) + Folic acid (1 mg/1) + Magnesium oxide (50 mg/1) + Pyridoxine hydrochloride (10 mg/1) Wafer Oral River's Edge Pharmaceuticals, LLC 2009-01-14 2012-10-31 US See Clean-One Eye Drops Boric acid (21.644 mg/14mL) Liquid Ophthalmic Cho-A Pharm.Co.,Ltd. 2017-12-29 Not applicable US Sha-lem Boric acid (0.95 g/30mL) + Bismuth subcarbonate (1.89 g/30mL) + Oleic Acid (14.5 g/30mL) + Palmitic Acid (7.25 g/30mL) + Stearic acid (7.25 g/30mL) Ointment Topical Shalem Products, Inc. 1992-05-08 Not applicable US
Categories
- ATC Codes
- S02AA03 — Boric acid
- Drug Categories
- Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
- Description
- This compound belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as miscellaneous borates. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest metallic oxoanion is borate, to which either no atom or a non metal atom is bonded.
- Kingdom
- Inorganic compounds
- Super Class
- Mixed metal/non-metal compounds
- Class
- Miscellaneous mixed metal/non-metals
- Sub Class
- Miscellaneous metallic oxoanionic compounds
- Direct Parent
- Miscellaneous borates
- Alternative Parents
- Metalloid salts / Inorganic salts
- Substituents
- Borate / Inorganic metalloid salt / Inorganic salt
- Molecular Framework
- Not Available
- External Descriptors
- boric acids (CHEBI:33118) / an anion (BORATE)
- Affected organisms
- Not Available
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- R57ZHV85D4
- CAS number
- 10043-35-3
- InChI Key
- KGBXLFKZBHKPEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/BH3O3/c2-1(3)4/h2-4H
- IUPAC Name
- boric acid
- SMILES
- OB(O)O
References
- General References
- Iavazzo C, Gkegkes ID, Zarkada IM, Falagas ME: Boric acid for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: the clinical evidence. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2011 Aug;20(8):1245-55. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2010.2708. Epub 2011 Jul 20. [Article]
- Teshima D, Morishita K, Ueda Y, Futagami K, Higuchi S, Komoda T, Nanishi F, Taniyama T, Yoshitake J, Aoyama T: Clinical management of boric acid ingestion: pharmacokinetic assessment of efficacy of hemodialysis for treatment of acute boric acid poisoning. J Pharmacobiodyn. 1992 Jun;15(6):287-94. [Article]
- De Seta F, Schmidt M, Vu B, Essmann M, Larsen B: Antifungal mechanisms supporting boric acid therapy of Candida vaginitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2009 Feb;63(2):325-36. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkn486. Epub 2008 Dec 4. [Article]
- BORIC ACID - National Library of Medicine HSDB Database- Toxnet - NIH [Link]
- Boric Acid - National Toxicology Program - NIH [Link]
- External Links
- Human Metabolome Database
- HMDB0035731
- KEGG Compound
- C12486
- PubChem Compound
- 7628
- PubChem Substance
- 347827967
- ChemSpider
- 7346
- BindingDB
- 39817
- 1700
- ChEBI
- 33118
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL42403
- ZINC
- ZINC000245189278
- PDBe Ligand
- BO3
- Wikipedia
- Boric_acid
- PDB Entries
- 1a95 / 1a96 / 1a97 / 1e3j / 1oj7 / 1s3t / 2j9t / 2y8s / 2y8t / 3r2v … show 45 more
- MSDS
- Download (49 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials Learn More" title="About Clinical Trials" id="clinical-trials-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Completed Treatment Thyroid Eye Disease 1 3 Completed Treatment Diabetes Mellitus / Vulvovaginal Candidiasis 1 2 Unknown Status Treatment Atopic Dermatitis 1 2, 3 Completed Treatment Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) 1 2, 3 Completed Treatment Chronic Periodontitis (Disorder) 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Ointment Topical 3 % Solution Topical 3 % Ointment Topical Solution Topical Solution Cutaneous Powder Topical; Vaginal Powder Topical Powder, for solution Topical Powder Nasal; Ophthalmic; Topical 100 % Lotion Ophthalmic 2.5 % Powder Topical Liquid Topical 0.8 % w/w Cream Topical Liquid Ophthalmic 2.5 % Solution Cutaneous Emulsion Topical 7 mg/100mL Suppository Rectal Gel Cutaneous; Infiltration Solution Auricular (otic) Liquid Ophthalmic 1.2 % Wafer Oral Liquid Ophthalmic 21.644 mg/14mL Ointment Topical Liquid Topical Jelly Vaginal Solution Ophthalmic Lotion Ophthalmic Liquid Ophthalmic Solution / drops Ophthalmic Solution Topical - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Solid
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source melting point (°C) 169 MSDS boiling point (°C) 300 MSDS water solubility Soluble in hot water, partially soluble in cold water MSDS - Predicted Properties
Property Value Source logP -0.51 Chemaxon pKa (Strongest Acidic) 8.7 Chemaxon pKa (Strongest Basic) -5.3 Chemaxon Physiological Charge 0 Chemaxon Hydrogen Acceptor Count 3 Chemaxon Hydrogen Donor Count 3 Chemaxon Polar Surface Area 60.69 Å2 Chemaxon Rotatable Bond Count 0 Chemaxon Refractivity 7.69 m3·mol-1 Chemaxon Polarizability 5.15 Å3 Chemaxon Number of Rings 0 Chemaxon Bioavailability 1 Chemaxon Rule of Five Yes Chemaxon Ghose Filter No Chemaxon Veber's Rule No Chemaxon MDDR-like Rule No Chemaxon - Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Chromatographic Properties
Collision Cross Sections (CCS)
Adduct CCS Value (Å2) Source type Source [M-H]- 90.667474 predictedDarkChem Lite v0.1.0 [M+H]+ 94.447274 predictedDarkChem Lite v0.1.0 [M+Na]+ 91.012574 predictedDarkChem Lite v0.1.0
Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:52 / Updated at September 28, 2021 21:54