Borax

Borax, also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral compound typically found as a white crystalline powder, chemically identified as sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O). While widely recognized for its industrial and household applications as a cleaner, laundry booster, insecticide, herbicide, and fungicide, borax also possesses historical and limited current medicinal uses. It functions as a mild antiseptic and astringent, and in pharmaceutical formulations, it is primarily utilized for its buffering properties to maintain pH and can offer mild antibiotic effects, particularly in ophthalmic solutions. Borax is not intended for internal consumption due to its moderate acute toxicity and potential for adverse health effects, including reproductive toxicity, with high or prolonged exposure. Its pharmaceutical applications are generally topical or as an excipient in combination products, often alongside boric acid.

Brand names

AphtinAphtin AflofarmBidalkinBomaBorax (Borato de Sodio) Pharma ArteBorax / Acide Borique BiogaranBorax / Acide Borique ZentivaDacryoserumDacryumDacudosesDacuroseGlobulusGlycerinum boraxatum FoNo VIIHerron OsteoEze Bone and Joint CareMilrosinaNatusanNetdoseOphthalmo-Septonex

Other names

sodium boratesodium tetraboratedisodium tetraboratetincaltincarsodium tetraborate decahydratesodium pyroboratesodium biboratepurified boraxNatrium BoricumBorate de SoudeBorax médicinaleUNII-91MBZ8H3QOUNII91MBZ8H3QOUNII 91MBZ8H3QOE 285E285E-285disodium;3,7-dioxido-2,4,6,8,9-pentaoxa-1,3,5,7-tetraborabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane;decahydrate