Fumaric Acid

Products

Fumaric acid is used as an excipient in medicinal products. Active ingredients are also derived from it.

Structure and properties

Fumaric acid (C4H4O4, Mr = 116.1 g/mol) is a dicarboxylic acid. It exists as a white, crystalline and odorless powder or as crystals and is sparingly soluble in water. The pharmacopoeia defines it in reagents as ()-butenedioic acid (-isomer). The -isomer is maleic acid. Its salts and esters are called fumarates. Fumaric acid is a medium strength acid with a pKa1 of about 3.0 and a pKa2 of 4.4.

Effects

Fumaric acid has acidic, preservative, chelating, and antioxidant properties.

Indications for use

  • As an excipient, fumaric acid is used as an acidifier, acid, acidity regulator and chelating agent.
  • Esters such as dimethyl fumarate and diroximel fumarate are used to treat psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.
  • As a food additive.
  • For the production of active ingredient salts, many active ingredients are present as fumarates.

Adverse effects

Pure fumaric acid has irritant properties and may cause severe eye irritation if accidental contact occurs.