What is the drug sodium benzoate used for?

Medications. Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in some over-the-counter and prescription medications, particularly in liquid medicines like cough syrup. Additionally, it can be a lubricant in pill manufacturing and makes tablets transparent and smooth, helping them break down rapidly after you swallow them (1).

Is sodium benzoate FDA approved?

Sodium benzoate has a chemical formula of C7H5NaO2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies a maximum level of 0.1 percent of sodium benzoate in food and at this level sodium benzoate is generally recognized as safe by the FDA.

Is sodium benzoate harmful for skin?

It is absorbed, metabolized and excreted rapidly after ingestion. Sodium benzoate is not a toxin or carcinogen on its own, and large amounts of it would have to be consumed, not applied topically, for any adverse effects to be seen.

Is sodium benzoate safe for health?

While sodium benzoate is considered safe, scientists have shown that negative side effects occur when it’s mixed with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Their studies indicate that it then turns into benzene, a known carcinogen that may cause cancer.

Is sodium benzoate harmful for health?

Is sodium benzoate good for your skin?

Is sodium benzoate bad for kidneys?

Sodium benzoate is a widely used preservative found in many foods and soft drinks. It is metabolized within mitochondria to produce hippurate, which is then cleared by the kidneys. Ingestion of sodium benzoate at the generally regarded as safe (GRAS) dose leads to a robust excursion in the plasma hippurate level.

Which is the active form of sodium benzoate?

Sodium Benzoate is a food grade preservative generally regarded as safe (GRAS) worldwide. It is the inactive salt of benzoic acid. It is soluble in water where it converts to benzoic acid, its active form, at a low pH. Benzoic acid is very pH dependent.

Is it safe to use sodium benzoate as a preservative?

As benzoic acid, it is considered to be primarily an anti-fungal, but it shows some activity against bacteria. It is poor against pseudomonads. Benzoic acid is inactivated by non-ionics and by raising the pH. Sodium Benzoate is not a broad spectrum preservative for cosmetic use and should be combined with other preservatives.

How much sodium benzoate can you take in a day?

Rather, you metabolize and excrete it in your urine within 24 hours — which contributes to its safety ( 31 ). The WHO has set the acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for sodium benzoate to 0–2.27 mg per pound (0–5 mg per kg) of body weight.

Are there any plants that contain sodium benzoate?

Sodium benzoate does not occur naturally, but benzoic acid is found in many plants, including cinnamon, cloves, tomatoes, berries, plums, apples, and cranberries (2).