Last update June 9, 2018

Boric Acid

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

A chemical product used medically as a topical antiseptic (bacteria and fungi). It is also used as a disinfectant, insecticide and has other industrial uses. Given its toxic nature, its use as a food preservative has been abandoned. It is still used in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis when resistant to other treatment (Iavazzo 2011).

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

Absorption through intact skin is negligible (0.23%) (U.S. 2010, Wester 1998). Vaginal absorption is 6% (Prutting 1998).
Virtually everything absorbed via inhalation is eliminated in 24 hours and 96 hours if the absorption was through the digestive tract.

These periods of 24 and 96 hours can respectively be prudent periods of suspending breastfeeding in case the breastfeeding mother has been seriously intoxicated by inhalation or oral administration.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Boric Acid.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Boric Acid is also known as


Boric Acid in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Boric Acid in its composition:

  • Ostron™. Contains other elements than Boric Acid in its composition
  • RA Lotion™. Contains other elements than Boric Acid in its composition
  • Star-Otic™. Contains other elements than Boric Acid in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 81 - 92 (oral) %
Molecular weight 62 daltons
VD 0.25 - 0.46 l/Kg
13.4 (4 - 28) hours

References

  1. Iavazzo C, Gkegkes ID, Zarkada IM, Falagas ME. Boric acid for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: the clinical evidence. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2011 Abstract
  2. U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Boron. 2010 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. EFSA. European Food Safety Authority. Tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals. Scientific Committee on Food. 2006 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  5. Wester RC, Hui X, Maibach HI, Bell K, Schell MJ, Northington DJ, Strong P, Culver BD. In vivo percutaneous absorption of boron as boric acid, borax, and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate in humans: a summary. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1998 Abstract
  6. Prutting SM, Cerveny JD. Boric acid vaginal suppositories: a brief review. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 1998 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. 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 Abstract
  8. Jansen JA, Andersen J, Schou JS. Boric acid single dose pharmacokinetics after intravenous administration to man. Arch Toxicol. 1984 Abstract

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