Indications
Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (often called PABA) is found mainly as one ingredient in multivitamin and tonic syrups, drops and tablets. These products are used:
- as a nutritional supplement for children and adults with a poor diet or poor appetite;
- during recovery from illness, when the body needs extra vitamins;
- to help prevent or correct vitamin B deficiency.
A different, high-dose form (potassium aminobenzoate) is sometimes used by specialists for certain skin and tissue hardening conditions. That use is only as prescribed.
How It Works
PABA is a natural substance closely related to the B vitamins. Bacteria use it to make folic acid. In people, folic acid comes from food, so PABA is not an essential vitamin, but it is added to many B complex and multivitamin products as a supporting ingredient.
Dosage and Administration
The amount of PABA in a multivitamin product is small, and the dose is set by the whole product, not by PABA alone. Follow the dose on the product label or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. For children, use the measuring cup or spoon that comes with the syrup and give the dose for the child’s age.
Do not give more than the recommended amount, and do not give two multivitamin products at the same time unless a doctor advises it.
Interactions
PABA can weaken the effect of sulfonamide antibiotics (such as Sulfamethoxazole) and Dapsone, because these medicines work by blocking the way bacteria use PABA. High doses may also affect Methotrexate. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins and herbal products you take.
Contraindications
- Allergy to PABA or any ingredient of the product
- While taking sulfonamide antibiotics or Dapsone, unless the doctor agrees
Side Effects
At the small amounts found in multivitamin products, side effects are uncommon. Some people may have nausea, stomach upset, loss of appetite or a skin rash.
High doses taken for a long time can rarely cause fever, low blood sugar or liver problems.
Get medical help at once for swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, a widespread rash, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Pregnancy and Lactation
The small amounts in general multivitamin products are not known to cause harm, but in pregnancy it is better to use a vitamin product made for pregnancy, as advised by your doctor. High-dose PABA should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Precautions and Warnings
- Check the full ingredient list of the product, especially if it also contains iron, vitamin A or vitamin D.
- Take extra care with liver or kidney disease.
- Vitamin products support a balanced diet; they do not replace it.
Overdose
If a child swallows a large amount of a multivitamin syrup or tablets, contact a doctor or go to hospital straight away. Products that also contain iron can be dangerous to young children in overdose. Treatment is supportive.
Therapeutic Class
Vitamin and nutritional supplement ingredient (related to the vitamin B complex).
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Once a syrup is opened, use it within the time given on the label.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.