Boric Acid
Indications
South African indications:
- Ocular pruritus
- Ocular irritation, stinging or discomfort
- Otitis externa
Cautions
Contraindication
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
- Contact with eyes (except for eye-wash preparations)
- Oral ingestion
Caution
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment
- Children < 3 years
- Large areas of skin
- Prolonged use
- Compromised skin integrity
- Concomitant use of contact lenses
Adult dosage
Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: dro
Ocular pruritus
Ocular irritation, stinging or discomfort
- Ophthalmic (dro): Fill eyecup half full; Apply eyecup tightly to the affected eye to prevent leakage of the solution and tilt head backward, open the eye wide and rotate the eyeball to thoroughly wash the eye
Flush the affected eye as needed
Otitis externa
- Otic (dro): Apply small amount as needed
Paediatric dosage
No information available
Special populations
Pregnancy
- Use with caution, if benefit outweighs risk. No information available
Breastfeeding
- Caution; no information available
- Insufficient data to determine infant risk
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
Elderly
Porphyria Information
Drugs in Sport
- Non-regulated product: Authorities caution athletes against the risk of using these products
Adverse reactions
Cardiovascular Disorders
- Chest pain
- Cardiogenic shock
Respiratory Disorders
- Dyspnoea
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
Hepatobiliary Disorders
- Hepatic impairment
Genitourinary Disorders
- Renal impairment
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
- Rash
- Skin irritation
- Urticaria
Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
- Anaphylaxis
- Anaemia
Sensory Disorders
- Ocular irritation
- Visual impairment
Interactions
No information available
Monitoring
None routine
Mechanism of action
Boric acid is a weak topical anti-infective agent with fungistatic and bacteriostatic properties. The precise mechanisms for these remain unclear. It has slow-acting activity against Staphylococci and Streptococci.
Dosage forms
- Drops, external
Formulation
Ear drops (per ml) 20mg
- Boric acid ear drops
References
1. SAMF_12th Edition_Page 589 2. Pharmacologist* 3. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: Boric acid; Accessed online 29 August 2018 http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s3.php?atc_code=S02AA03&l=gbr 4. South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport; Accessed online 3 September 2018 http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/online-medication-check/ Pharmacologist references; • Micromedex medicine solutions. • Martindale complete drug reference, 36th edition. • Product information Collyrium®, 2000. • Slack RWT: A study of three preparations in the treatment of otitis externa. J Laryngol Otol 1987; 101:533-535. • Drugs during pregnancy and lactation, 3rd edition. 5. AfriTox: Boric acid; Downloaded online 24 July 2020; Last accessed online 24 July 2020 [https://www.afritox.co.za/hp/SingleToxin/SingleToxin.aspx?SingleToxinID=525] **No SPC available *no uptodate
Brands & products
3 products · stale NAPPI snapshot · refreshed 5/29/2026 · 158 days oldvaginal gelGeneric· 1 product
from R1.47/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vagarsol | 10 mg/5ml | 50 | S4 | R73.51 | R1.47 | R37.32 | 835447006 |
dropsGeneric· 1 product
from R9.68/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murine clear eyes 15ml | - mg/ml | 15 | S2 | R145.19 | R9.68 | R62.12 | 745138004 |
suppositoryGeneric· 1 product
from R12.93/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anugesic | - mg/supp | 10 | S1 | R129.30 | R12.93 | R56.62 | 704075008 |
- Boric acid ear drops
Medical aid coverage
data not yet integrated- Comprehensive Series—
- Executive Plan—
- KeyCare Series—
- Priority Series—
- Saver Series—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- BonClassic—
- BonComprehensive—
- BonEssential—
- BonFit Select—
- BonSave—
- BonStart—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Beryl—
- Emerald—
- Onyx—
- Ruby—
- Sapphire—
- Tanzanite One—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Aquarium Option—
- Efficiency Option—
- Marine Option—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.