Some experts recommend boric acid capsules inserted into the vagina (vaginal suppositories) as a treatment option for vaginal yeast infections, particularly infections that can’t be cured by antifungal yeast infection medicines.
If your doctor recommends boric acid treatment, you can buy boric acid vaginal capsules without a prescription at drug stores. The amount of boric acid needed and how long you use it depends on the type of infection you have. Follow the instructions on the package.
You may find it easier to use boric acid capsules at bedtime. If you are pregnant, do not use vaginal boric acid treatment.
How well does it work?
More research is needed to find out how well boric acid works. Symptoms return in some women. Check with your doctor to see if you need to continue using boric acid over several months to relieve your symptoms.
How quickly do boric acid suppositories work?
You may see some improvement in as little as one day, but you should complete the full course of medication to ensure that the infection doesn’t return. If your infection is particularly acute, consider inserting capsules twice daily into the vagina for 6 to 14 days.
How safe is it?
When used in capsules as a vaginal suppository, boric acid is only known to sometimes cause skin irritation. Authors of a 2011 medical review report that boric acid is a safe and economical option for people with recurrent or chronic vaginal infections, especially when conventional treatment is ineffective. But when used by mouth (internally), on open wounds, or by children, boric acid is toxic. Keep boric acid out of the reach of children. Boric acid is not safe to use if you are pregnant.
Have there been deaths from boric acid suppositories?
Although no deaths have been reported from using boric acid suppositories. Consuming boric acid is not safe for humans. Boric acid poisoning may be acute or chronic. Acute poisoning occurs when individuals swallow powdered boric acid. Chronic poisoning occurs when individuals are repeatedly exposed to boric acid.
Swallowing a large amount of boric acid can have severe effects on many parts of the body. Damage to the esophagus and stomach continues to occur for several weeks after the boric acid was swallowed. Death from complications may occur as long as several months later.
Minimum oral lethal doses of boric acid in humans have been estimated from accidental poisonings to be in the range of 5-20 g for adults, 3-6 g for children, and <5 g for infants. Boric acid can be fatal when taken orally, so it should only be used via a vaginal suppository.
