Benzoic Acid
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 1, 2023.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Benzoic acid (C7H6O2) is a colorless crystalline copound. It is one of the benzoates, which also includes sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate. Among the foods in which benzoic acid occurs naturally are cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and most berries. As an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as antimicrobial preservative, antifungal, and tablet and capsule lubricant. Benzoic acid has been used in combination with salicylic acid, as in Whitfield's ointment, for use as an antifungal for athlete's foot and ringworm. Benzoic acid is also a precursor to many chemical reactions yielding organic compounds. When absorbed systemically, it is conjugated to glycine in the liver and excreted as hippuric acid; it is not considered highly toxic.
List of medications using Benzoic Acid
- Bufferin Low Dose 81 mg
- Comtrex Cold & Cough acetaminophen 325 mg / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- Comtrex Severe Cold & Sinus (Daytime) acetaminophen 325 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- Comtrex Severe Cold & Sinus (Daytime) acetaminophen 325 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- ConRx Alert caffeine 200 mg
- ConRx Pain Reliever acetaminophen 250 mg / aspirin 250 mg / caffeine 65 mg
- Excedrin Back & Body acetaminophen 250 mg / aspirin 250 mg
- Excedrin Extra Strength (Tablet) 250 mg / 250 mg / 65 mg
- Excedrin Menstrual Complete 250 mg / 250 mg / 65 mg
- Excedrin Migraine (Caplet) acetaminophen 250 mg / aspirin 250 mg / caffeine 65 mg
- Excedrin Migraine (Geltab) acetaminophen 250 mg / aspirin 250 mg / caffeine 65 mg
- Excedrin Migraine (Tablet) acetaminophen 250 mg / aspirin 250 mg / caffeine 65 mg
- Excedrin PM acetaminophen 500 mg / diphenhydramine 38 mg
- Excedrin PM acetaminophen 500 mg / diphenhydramine 38 mg
- Excedrin Tension Headache acetaminophen 500 mg / caffeine 65 mg
- Theraflu ExpressMax Daytime Severe Cold & Cough acetaminophen 325 mg / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- Theraflu ExpressMax Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough acetaminophen 325 mg / diphenhydramine hydrochloride 12.5 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- Theraflu Warming Relief Daytime Multi-Symptom Cold acetaminophen 325 mg / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
- Theraflu Warming Relief Nighttime Multi-Symptom Cold acetaminophen 325 mg / chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg
References
- 1. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Volume 3, Revised as of April 1, 2013, CITE: 21CFR184.1021. Benzoic acid. Accessed 1/12/2014. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1021
- 2. PubChem. Benzoic Acid - Compound Summary (CID 243). Accessed 1/12/2014. http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=243&loc=ec_rcs#x94
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
