Products
In many countries, there are no medicines with borax as an active ingredient on the market. This is with the exception of therapeutics from alternative medicine such as homeopathy. Borax is included in some eye drops as an excipient. Borax may only be used commercially in many countries. It is demanded from time to time in specialized trade due to questionable recommendations on the internet and in social media. However, it may not be dispensed to customers (private individuals) in pharmacies and drugstores. It is also not to be used for the in-house production of slime for children. In Germany, boric acid belongs to the so-called “questionable prescription drugs” and is to be used exclusively for healing waters and buffers in eye drops and for homeopathics (from D4). This is justified by a lack of efficacy and the risk of resorptive poisoning. This requirement also applies to salts such as borax.
Structure and properties
According to the pharmacopoeia, borax or sodium tetraborate is sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B4O7 – 10 H2O, Mr = 381.4 g/mol). It exists as colorless crystals, as a crystalline mass, or as a white crystalline powder. Borax is slightly soluble in water and very soluble in boiling water. The melting point is 75°C.
Effects
Borax has antispetic and antifungal properties.
Indications for use
The following list shows a small selection of applications:
- Using boric acid as a buffer for eye drops.
- Detection of metals in the analytical laboratory (borax bead).
- Preparation of boric acid.
- As a preservative for caviar (banned in some countries).
Adverse effects
In animal studies, borax has been found to impair reproductive ability and to have fertility damaging (teratogenic) properties. Because similar effects could occur in humans, borax is classified accordingly.
