Acetic Acid
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 18, 2023.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Acetic acid (C2H4O2) is a widely used industrial chemical reagent and solvent often used in industrial processing. It exists as an acidic liquid or crystals. Vinegar contains roughly 5-15 percent acetic acid. Acetic acid is approved for use in the U.S. as a food additive, and is used mainly to adjust pH and as a pickling agent for vegetables.
Pharmaceutically, glacial (or water-free) acetic acid is used as a hypotonic urologic irrigation for the urinary bladder. It exerts an antimicrobial action and lowers the pH against a variety of bacteria (especially ammonia-forming bacteria) that may gain access to the urinary bladder in patients who require indwelling urethral catheterization.[1]
Acetasol and Vosol are over-the-counter eardrops that contain acetic acid and are used to treat outer ear bacterial or fungal infections (otitis externa). They are not effective for inner ear infections (otits media).[2]
List of medications using Acetic Acid
- Budesonide (Enteric Coated) 3 mg
- Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg
- Doxycycline Hyclate 50 mg
- Morgidox doxycycline hyclate 50 mg
References
- DailyMed. Acetic Acid irrigant. B. Braun Medical Inc. Accessed 8/21/2012. http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=dd45cee3-9938-4dad-a5e1-1dd4baea85a9#nlm34089-3
- Drugs.com. Acetasol HC Solution. Accessed 8/21/2012. http://www.drugs.com/cdi/acetasol-hc-solution.html
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
