4-Aminobenzoic acid Other names: PABA Para-aminobenzoic acid Vitamin Bx

Molecular mass: 137.136 g/mol  PubChem compound: 978

Active ingredient description

4-aminobenzoic acid (also known as para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA because the two functional groups are attached to the benzene ring across from one another in the para position) is an aminobenzoic acid in which the amino group is para to the carboxy group. PABA is an intermediate in the synthesis of folate by bacteria, plants, and fungi. The potassium salt is used as a drug against fibrotic skin disorders, such as Peyronie’s disease. PABA is also occasionally used in pill form by sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome to treat its associated gastrointestinal symptoms, and in nutritional epidemiological studies to assess the completeness of 24-hour urine collection for the determination of urinary sodium, potassium, or nitrogen levels.

Medicine classification

This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:

ATC code Group title Classification
D02BA01 Aminobenzoic acid D Dermatologicals → D02 Emollients and protectives → D02B Protectives against UV-radiation → D02BA Protectives against UV-radiation for topical use
Discover more medicines within D02BA01

Structural formula

Graphic representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

3D molecular structure

3D representation of the active ingredient's molecular structure

External identifiers

CAS Substance: 138-84-1
DrugBank Drug: DB02362
KEGG Drug: D02456
PubChem Compound: 978
RxNorm Ingredient: 74
SNOMED-CT Concept: 373489001
Para-aminobenzoic acid (substance)
SNOMED-CT Concept: 395838004
Potassium aminobenzoate (substance)
SNOMED-CT Concept: 782612003
Aminobenzoic acid (substance)
UNII Identifier: 41KZS5432U
AMINOBENZOATE POTASSIUM
UNII Identifier: TL2TJE8QTX
AMINOBENZOIC ACID

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