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BORIC ACID
Boric Acid
What is it? Boric acid is a weak acid that is used to treat ear infections, cold sores, and vaginal yeast infections. It is also used as an eye wash.
Other names for boric acid include: Acidum Boricum, boracici acid, borasaeure, E240, orthoboric acid, and Sal Sedateve de Homberg.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.
Before Using: Tell your doctor if you ...
- are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
- are breastfeeding
- have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease
Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much Boric Acid you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking boric acid. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.
To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.
Drug and Food Interactions: Do not take boric acid without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:
- Idoxuridine (Dendrid(R), Herplex(R)) (14,15)
Warnings:
Before taking boric acid, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Do not use boric acid for a long period of time (8)
Do not use on damaged or broken skin (8)
Do not use in children less than 3 years old (8)
Do not apply boric acid ointment to the eye (8)
Eating or drinking boric acid can cause death, especially in small children (9)
Side Effects: Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hand, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, or rash
- Convulsions, especially after using boric acid for a long time or using too much of it (8)
Other Possible Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.
- Confusion, dizziness, unclear thinking, unusual weakness or tiredness, especially after using boric acid for a long time or using too much of it (8,12,13)
- Diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting (8,10,11)
References:
1. Sobel JD & Chaim W: Treatment of Torulopsis glabrata vaginitis: retrospective review of boric acid therapy. Clin Infect Dis 1997; 24:649-652.
2. Swate T & Weed J: Boric acid treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Ob Gyn 1974; 43:894-895.
3. Van Slyke K, Michel BP & Rein M: Treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with boric acid powder. Am J Ob Gyn 1981;141:145-148.
4. Slack RWT: A study of three preparations in the treatment of otitis externa. J Laryngol Otol 1987; 101:533-535.
5. Skinner GRB, Hartley CE, Millar D et al: Possible treatment for cold sores. Br Med J 1979; 2:704.
6. Product Information: Collyrium(R) Eye Wash, boric acid eye wash. Physicians' Desk Reference (electronic version), MICROMEDEX, Inc, Englewood, CO; reviewed 03/2000.
7. Product Information: Herplex(R) Liquifilm(R), idoxuridine. Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, CA; 1996.
8. Parfitt K (ed): Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference, 32nd ed. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, England; 1999.
9. Boggs TR Jr & Anrode HG: Boric acid poisoning treated by exchange transfusion. Pediatrics 1955; 16:109-114.
10. Linden CH, Hall AH, Kulig KW et al: Acute ingestions of boric acid. J Toxicol 1986:24:269.
11. Litovitiz TL, Klein-Schwartz W, Oderda GM et al: Clinical manifestations of toxicity in a series of 784 boric acid ingestions. Am J Emerg Med 1988; 6:209-213.
12. Gordon AS, Prichard JS & Freedman MH: Seizure disorder and anemia associated with chronic borax intoxication. Can Med Assoc J 1973; 108:719-722.
13. Schillinger BM, Berstein M, Goldberg LA et al: Boric acid poisoning. J Am Acad Dermatol 1982; 7:667-673.
14. Product Information: Herplex(R), idoxuridine. Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, 1992.
15. Product Information: Stoxil(R), idoxuridine. SmithKline & French Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA, 1990.
PE0214
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