Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Archives of Toxicology ((TOXICOLOGY,volume 7))

Abstract

Using an in vitro technique it has been demonstrated that water-emulsifying and hydrophobic ointments containing boric acid liberate only minute amounts (1–6%) within 24h compared with the nearly total liberation from a jelly. When an amount of boric acid containing ointment is swallowed, the absorption is only slightly delayed compared with a similar intake when dissolved in water, and in both cases nearly total excretion is found in the urine within 96 h. The halflife (t 1/2β ) is 21h (mean, 7 adult men). The pharmacokinetics rule out the risk of cumulative poisoning with topical preparations containing low amounts of boric acid. The use of water-emulsifying ointments containing up to 3% boric acid should be safe, even for repeated daily use in the napkin region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Friis-Hansen B, Aggerbeck B, Jansen JAa (1982) Unaffected blood boron levels in newborn infants treated with boric acid ointment. Food Chem Toxicol 20: 451–454

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godlee RJ (1873) On the antiseptic system. Lancet 1: 694–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mutimer MN, Riffkin C, Hill JA, Glickman ME, Cyr GN (1956) Modern ointment base technology II. Comparative evaluation of bases. J Am Pharm Assoc 45: 212–218

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stüttgen G, Siebel T, Aggerbeck B (1982) Absorption of boric acid through human skin depending on the type of vehicle. Arch Dermatol Res 272: 21–29

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaoka K, Nakagawa T, Uno T (1978) Application of Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) in the evaluation of linear pharmacokinetic equations. J Pharmacokin et Biopharm 4: 165–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Springer-Verlag

About this paper

Cite this paper

Schou, J.S., Jansen, J.A., Aggerbeck, B. (1984). Human Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Boric Acid. In: Chambers, P.L., Preziosi, P., Chambers, C.M. (eds) Disease, Metabolism and Reproduction in the Toxic Response to Drugs and Other Chemicals. Archives of Toxicology, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69132-4_32

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69132-4_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-12452-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69132-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics