Have There Ever Been Deaths from Boric Acid Suppositories?

Boric acid is a chemical that’s been used to treat some types of vaginal infections. It’s available in several forms, including suppositories that you place into your vagina.

You may have heard that you can become very sick or potentially die from boric acid. Because of this, you may be wondering whether boric acid suppositories are actually safe to use.

There have been no deaths reported from using boric acid suppositories. While boric acid can indeed be toxic when ingested orally, vaginal applications are considered to be safe.

Continue reading to learn more about the safety of boric acid suppositories and more.

A quick internet search may bring up some concern about the safety of boric acid suppositories.

But while boric acid suppositories can cause mild side effects, no serious side effects or deaths have been reported.

Important safety information

While swallowing a boric acid suppository is very dangerous, inserting one labeled for vaginal application into the vagina is generally considered safe.

Was this helpful?

Is boric acid toxic?

When consumed by mouth, boric acid is toxic and can potentially lead to death. Deaths due to accidental boric acid ingestion have been reported in both adults and children.

A 2011 statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that ingesting about 30 grams of boric acid in a short period of time is toxic to humans and can eventually result in death.

This is much more than the amount of boric acid that’s in a boric acid suppository, which is typically 600 milligrams.

Because suppositories may appear similar to a pill that you take orally, there is the risk that they could be accidentally swallowed.

Swallowing a boric acid suppository is dangerous, but using one as labeled for vaginal application is generally safe.

Side effects of using boric acid vaginal suppositories as directed tend to be mild. They can include things like vaginal irritation or discharge.

Boric acid and reproductive health

Because boric acid suppositories are inserted into the vagina, another concern related to them has to do with their potential effect on reproductive health.

Studies in animals have found that when taken orally, boric acid can affect fertility in male animals and affect a developing fetus in female animals. However, studies in humans haven’t returned the same results.

A 2020 research review examined the animal studies discussed above and compared them with studies in humans who are regularly exposed to high levels of boron, the key element in boric acid, in the environment.

Overall, researchers found that:

• So far, studies of human exposure to high levels of boron haven’t produced the same reproductive effects that have been observed in animals.
• Even the highest levels of environmental boron exposure were too low to reach blood and tissue levels that would have harmful effects on human reproduction.

Symptoms of boric acid poisoning

Boric acid suppositories can appear similar to pills that you’d take orally. If you or someone else accidentally swallows a boric acid suppository, call 911 or local emergency services.

Some symptoms of boric acid poisoning include:

• abdominal pain
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• headaches
• feeling weak or lethargic
• tremors
• restlessness

Was this helpful?

Boric acid has been used, either alone or with other medications, to treat some types of recurrent vaginal infections, such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. (A recurrent infection is an infection that continues to return, despite treatment.)

A 2011 research review looked at 14 studies comparing boric acid with other treatments for recurrent yeast infections. The included studies were clinical trials, case series, and case studies. Researchers found that boric acid had a cure rate of 40 to 100 percent, depending on the study.

Research into boric acid for bacterial vaginosis is more limited. To date, one clinical trial has been performed on boric acid for bacterial vaginosis, although others have been proposed.

In the 2009 trial, participants were given oral nitroimidazole, an antimicrobial drug used to treat vaginal infections, followed by boric acid suppositories.

Cure rates were between 88 and 92 percent after this treatment. However, the infection returned in many participants over the course of several weeks.

Some more research has also found that boric acid may help treat infections with Trichomonas vaginalis that are difficult to treat. T. vaginalis is the organism that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

How exactly does boric acid work?

It’s unclear how boric acid works to treat vaginal infections. It’s believed that it may work through disrupting fungal and bacterial growth.

It may also prevent these organisms from forming biofilms. Biofilms are a group of microorganisms organized within a sticky matrix. Organisms that have formed a biofilm can be harder to treat with some types of medications.

New boric acid-based therapies for vaginal infections

A novel boric acid-based therapy appears to be safe and effective in clinical trials. It’s called TOL-463. TOL-463 is made of boric acid and another chemical called EDTA, which can enhance the activity of boric acid.

A 2018 paper reported the results of a phase 2 clinical trial of TOL-463 for the treatment of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. The trial had 106 participants who took TOL-463 once per day for a week.

Researchers found that a TOL-463 vaginal insert had a cure rate of 92 percent for yeast infections and 59 percent for bacterial vaginosis. The researchers note that this was comparable to the cure rates of other approved treatments for these conditions.

Additionally, side effects were mild and mainly included vaginal irritation. No serious or severe side effects were observed.

Was this helpful?

Using boric acid suppositories is associated with a few side effects. These are generally mild and can include:

• vaginal burning
• watery vaginal discharge
• vaginal redness

If you’re using boric acid suppositories to treat a vaginal infection and experience significant discomfort, stop using them and contact your doctor for other treatment options.

Additionally, if you’ve been using boric acid suppositories and your infection isn’t getting better or gets worse, contact your doctor for a different treatment option.

Avoid having vaginal intercourse while you’re using boric acid suppositories.

It may also be a good idea to avoid receiving oral sex to reduce the risk of your partner ingesting boric acid that may still be present in or around your vagina.

Boric acid products and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

It’s likely you’ll notice that boric acid suppositories are marketed as a homeopathic product. It’s important to know that homeopathic products, including boric acid suppositories, aren’t currently approved by the FDA.

This means that the FDA hasn’t reviewed these products for their safety and effectiveness in treating specific health conditions before they entered the market.

Because of this, it’s important to talk with your doctor before using any homeopathic product, including boric acid suppositories.

Was this helpful?

Because studies into the reproductive effects of boric acid are ongoing, avoid boric acid suppositories if you’re:

• pregnant
• planning to become pregnant
• breastfeeding

Additionally, avoid using boric acid suppositories if you:

• currently have vaginal bleeding, open cuts, or sores in or around your vagina
• have or suspect that you have an STI or pelvic inflammatory disease
• are currently experiencing symptoms that could indicate a more serious condition, such as fever, chills, or nausea and vomiting
• have certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system
• are currently taking blood-thinning medications

Boric acid typically appears as an odorless white powder. It can be naturally found in the environment in:

• rocks
• soil
• water
• plants

Additionally, boric acid is used in various commercial products, such as:

• pesticides
• plant fertilizers
• household cleaning products
• laundry detergents
• personal care products

Boric acid was first used as an antiseptic in 1873. Since then, it has continued to be used for various vaginal infections.

Because boric acid is naturally found in the environment, many people consider it to be a “greener” option for treating vaginal infections. But this isn’t entirely true.

One of the main sources of boron and boric acid is the mining of minerals that have a high boron content. Not only does mining consume a lot of resources, but it can also introduce pollutants into the environment.

Boric acid suppositories can be used to treat some types of recurrent vaginal infections. Examples include yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Using boric acid suppositories as labeled is generally safe. Side effects are mild and may include vaginal irritation and discharge. No serious side effects or deaths have been reported.

Boric acid is toxic when ingested by mouth, though. Boric acid poisoning can lead to serious symptoms and can be fatal. Because of this, always keep boric acid suppositories separate from oral medications to avoid accidental ingestion.

There are some people who should avoid using boric acid suppositories. If you’re interested in using boric acid suppositories or have questions or concerns, speak with your doctor first.

Generic vs. Brand Name, and More

If you’re looking at treatment options for certain types of fungal infections, you may want to learn more about fluconazole (Diflucan).

Fluconazole is a generic prescription drug used in adults and some children to:

• treat and prevent candidiasis, such as vaginal yeast infections and thrush
• treat a kind of fungal meningitis

Fluconazole comes as a tablet and a suspension (a type of liquid mixture) that you swallow. These forms are available as the brand-name drug Diflucan. Fluconazole also comes as a liquid that’s given as an IV infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). The IV infusion form is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

Fluconazole belongs to a group of drugs called triazole antifungals.

Keep reading for details on fluconazole, its cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on fluconazole tablets, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for fluconazole can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It’ll also depend on how much you have to pay for a visit with your doctor or a hospital to receive injectable fluconazole.

To find out how much you’ll pay for fluconazole, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover fluconazole. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Fluconazole in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If fluconazole requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether fluconazole requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about fluconazole and its cost.

Does fluconazole come as a cream or syrup? If so, how much do these forms of the drug cost?

No, fluconazole does not come as a cream or syrup. But it does come as a liquid suspension that you swallow. The suspension is also available as the brand-name drug Diflucan.

Your cost for the fluconazole liquid suspension can vary depending on the pharmacy you use, your dosage, and your insurance coverage (if you have it). A higher strength of fluconazole suspension usually costs more than the lower strength suspension.

If you have questions about your specific cost of fluconazole, talk with your doctor.

What’s the price of fluconazole tablets (50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg)?

The price of fluconazole tablets can vary. It’s possible that the higher-strength tablets of fluconazole cost more than the lower strengths. The price for fluconazole tablets can also vary depending on the pharmacy you use.

To find out the exact cost of your dosage of fluconazole, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

For more details on fluconazole’s dosages, see this in-depth article.

How much does fluconazole cost without insurance?

Prescription drugs usually cost less with insurance coverage. But if you don’t have insurance, your cost will depend on certain factors, such as:

• the pharmacy you use
• your dosage and treatment plan
• the form of the drug you’re prescribed
• whether you take your dose at home or receive it in a healthcare facility

To learn what you’ll pay for fluconazole without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For resources that could help you save on the cost of fluconazole, see the “Can I get help paying for fluconazole?” section below.

Fluconazole is a generic drug. This means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics generally cost less than brand-name drugs.

Fluconazole comes in a brand-name version called Diflucan. To find out how the costs of Diflucan and Fluconazole compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed fluconazole and you’re interested in using Diflucan instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

Fluconazole may be taken either short term or long term. If you take fluconazole long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of fluconazole if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of fluconazole. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost of fluconazole. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of fluconazole or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

• NeedyMeds
• Medicine Assistance Tool

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of fluconazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for fluconazole.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

• If I can’t afford my medication, what are my options?
• Do the different forms of fluconazole vary in price?
• Are there any other lower cost drugs that can treat my condition?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

How to cure thrush at home?

Causes of vaginal candidiasis:

• weakening of the immune system;
• diabetes mellitus;
• violation of the microflora of the vagina;
• use of aromatic pads;
• taking antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
• childbearing period;
• wearing synthetic underwear;

Thrush symptoms:

• itching that worsens during sleep and after bathing;
• appearance of a curd-like discharge;
• pain during intercourse and while going to the toilet;

Treatment of vaginal candidiasis

If the above symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and start treatment. If you skip the acute stage, then the thrush will become chronic, which is difficult to cure. It is not worth prescribing medications on your own, because then resistance of the fungus can develop.

In addition to medicines, you can also use traditional methods for treating thrush. They will help to quickly relieve symptoms and regulate the number of fungi:

1. Chamomile. This is a very common herb for the treatment of many diseases, which has an anti-inflammatory, antifungal effect, well heals microtraumas on the mucous membranes. For the treatment of thrush, a decoction for douching is prepared from chamomile inflorescences. For a liter of water, you need to take 2 tablespoons of dried flowers, boil and insist for 30 minutes. Strain the resulting broth and douche them 2 times a day;
2. Baking soda. It helps to cope with the symptoms of the disease and restore the normal microflora of the vagina. Take a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water. This solution can be douched or washed away. And you can make a bath and sit in it for about half an hour;
3. Kalanchoe. You will need fresh juice of a medicinal plant. A tampon is soaked in it and inserted into the vagina for 2 hours. It is necessary to repeat the procedure in the morning and evening;
4. Honey. This bee product helps to cope with thrush. To prepare the solution, you need 1 tablespoon of honey per glass of water. A tampon can be soaked in this solution and left in the vagina overnight. And you can lubricate the mucous membrane;
5. Tar soap. Tar has an antibacterial and antifungal effect. It fights Candida very well. You need to use soap twice a day when washing;
6. Potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate contains potassium permanganate, which has an antimicrobial effect. A solution of potassium permanganate is used when washing twice a day. With the dilution of manganese crystals, you need to be especially careful. The solution must be made slightly pink and monitor the complete dissolution of the agent, since burns may occur;
7. Sea buckthorn oil. The tool perfectly heals wounds, relieves the symptoms of thrush, fights fungi. It is necessary to soak a tampon in oil and insert it into the vagina, leave it overnight;

You can ask questions about thrush to our doctors online. For the prevention of thrush, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist at least once a year.

Always consult your doctor before using any traditional medicine prescriptions or medications. For the prevention of thrush, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist at least once a year.

There are contraindications. Specialist consultation is required.

Doctor on call

Quick specialist consultation

Call

Related articles

How to cure herpes at home?

Herpes is a very unpleasant disease that manifests itself in the form of blisters on the lips or in the genital area. Herpes is often accompanied by…

How to overcome attacks of vomiting?

The gag reflex is necessary for the body to more easily remove vomit, for example, in case of food poisoning. You need to understand that this is a natural process, and …

How can you protect yourself from viruses that are transmitted through food?

People who are serious about their health have long ago given up going to restaurants and cafes. It is much safer to grow food on your own…

causes of vaginal candidiasis, symptoms, treatment

We are sure that you are familiar with these unpleasant sensations: itching in the vagina, burning sensation, inflammation and even pain. These are all signs of thrush: a fungal infection caused by the microorganism Candida albicans. Is it possible to cope with thrush on your own or is it necessary to treat it with a doctor? Let’s figure it out together.

Tags:

Women Health

intimate health

Let’s say right away that if you notice all these unpleasant signs – discharge, smell, burning sensation and itching, then the best option is to contact a doctor who will help determine what exactly is happening to you. These may be signs of thrush, but there may also be symptoms of another disorder.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

The doctor will prescribe medicines and, we are sure, will give some recommendations regarding both treatment and lifestyle. In addition, there are remedies that you definitely have at home – they can also alleviate your condition.

Important: everything that will be discussed below cannot be a medicine, but will only become an addition to the prescribed treatment. In addition, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of all these remedies also varies – reviews of some remedies for thrush are quite common, and few talk about the benefits of others.

Boric acid

Boric acid works as an antiseptic for thrush. Some women claim that a solution of boric acid helped to cope with thrush when everything else did not work.

For treatment, it is suggested to use vaginal tampons with boric acid: before trying this method, you need to make sure that the mucosa is not damaged. In no case do not take boric acid inside, and also refuse this method of treating thrush if you are pregnant. Stop using immediately if you feel even the slightest discomfort.

ADVERTISING – CONTINUED BELOW

Essential oil of oregano

To combat thrush, you need an oil obtained from oregano, a plant of the species Origanum vulgare. The results of a 2017 study showed that this oil is indeed able to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause thrush.

The oil is not recommended for use by people taking blood thinners or people with any bleeding problems.

Despite the fact that oregano oil is indeed considered a remedy for thrush, it is not recommended to apply it (mixed with base oil) to mucous membranes and in general to the vaginal area – all advice implies only inhalation of this oil.

Probiotics

Probiotics contain bacteria and products with them allow you to restore the disturbed microflora. The doctor may advise you to purchase probiotic vaginal suppositories, as well as a course of probiotics in tablets or capsules. Its duration will be at least 10 days.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is obtained from the flesh of the coconut. This oil has a lot of useful properties, among them there are antifungal ones. Reviews of coconut oil against thrush really confirm that this remedy helps and alleviates the condition.

It is important to use pure coconut oil, which will not contain potentially harmful additives – you can apply the oil directly to the vaginal area.

Tea tree oil

This oil is another popular antiseptic that fights fungi, viruses and bacteria. Some studies have shown that tea tree oil vaginal suppositories can actually reduce the symptoms of thrush.

To combat vaginal candidiasis, it is best to choose ready-made suppositories containing tea tree oil. For very sensitive skin, this remedy may not be suitable. It is important to remember that under no circumstances should tea tree oil be consumed in food.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar baths are another popular remedy for thrush. It must be added to a bath with warm water, and the duration of such a bath should not exceed 20 minutes. The achieved effect is related to the fact that the acidic environment has a destructive effect on microorganisms, including fungi.

Garlic

In a number of studies, scientists have shown that garlic can kill Candida that causes thrush. The garlic solution was less effective than over-the-counter remedies but still worked.

However, this does not mean at all that you need to prepare garlic suppositories or in any way try to place garlic in the vaginal area. It is advisable to consume enough garlic with meals.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another well-known antiseptic that can kill germs, including yeast.

Currently, there is not enough evidence that hydrogen peroxide is effective in treating vaginal candidiasis, but many users claim to have used this remedy quite successfully.

You can try baths with hydrogen peroxide or washing with a highly diluted solution – you will have to dilute the peroxide at least twice.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C’s role in immunity and skin health is well known. Some believe that adding this vitamin to your diet can also benefit vaginal health. If you often suffer from thrush, then try to eat more foods containing vitamin C – these are citrus fruits, as well as sweet peppers.

Vitamin E

In some cases, doctors prescribe vitamin E supplements to fight thrush. It is not very clear whether it is effective, but it is known that it is able to fight the inflammatory reactions that occur against the background of fungal growth.

You can use vitamin E in the form of vaginal suppositories, as well as apply an oil solution of the vitamin to the mucous membrane in the vaginal area.