1. Pharmacological effects of benzoic acid
Benzoic acid is a compound with antifungal activity that binds to glycine in the liver and is excreted as the metabolite hippuric acid. Sodium benzoate is used to treat urea cycle disorders due to its ability to bind to amino acids, thereby increasing amino acid secretion and reducing blood ammonia levels. Scientists' research shows that sodium benzoate can be used as an adjunct therapy for patients with schizophrenia.
Medically, benzoic acid is combined with salicylic acid in the form of topical application to treat ringworm (especially foot and body fungus), skin irritation, dermatitis caused by burns, and insect bites.
2. Precautions when using drugs containing benzoic acid
For topical preparations containing benzoic acid, patients need to follow the dosage and instructions prescribed by their medical staff. The recommended dose is twice a day, and patients should be careful not to use a larger dose of the drug or prolong the treatment time than indicated.
Do not take drugs containing benzoic acid orally, and do not apply them to open wounds, sunburn, dry or irritated skin. If the drug gets into the eyes, mouth, or nose, the patient should rinse with water.
Before using medications containing benzoic acid for treatment, gently clean the affected skin with saline. Use just enough medication and gently massage the applied skin area to help the medication absorb better.
Patients should be careful not to cover the area where the medication is applied; keep the affected area clean to avoid infection.
Do not let the tip of the medication touch any surface, as this may increase the risk of bacteria entering the medication and reduce the quality of the medication.
If symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, patients should stop taking the medication and notify their primary doctor.
Patients who are allergic to benzoic acid are contraindicated using this medication.
3. Side effects of medications
Medications containing benzoic acid may cause some of the following side effects:
Allergic reactions: Very rare, symptoms include difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat; skin irritation, skin burns. If side effects occur, patients should stop using benzoic acid medications and notify their primary doctor for treatment.
4. Drug interactions
Benzoic acid reduces the effectiveness of some of the following drugs taken at the same time: succinic acid, L-citrulline, oseltamivir, pravastatin, ceftriaxone, tenofovir disoproxil, indomethacin, piperacillin, aminohippuric acid.
Drug interactions increase the risk of side effects and reduce the therapeutic effect of the drug. Therefore, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment, patients need to tell their doctors about all the drugs they are taking (including over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and prescription drugs).
The use of benzoic acid is to treat burns, skin irritation, dermatitis caused by fungus, ringworm... To ensure the safety of your health and maximize the effectiveness of treatment, you need to use this drug according to your doctor's instructions.