Flavoring Agent: Citric acid improves the taste of medications, especially syrups and oral solutions. Its tangy flavor makes it easier to mask unpleasant tastes, making medicines more palatable—particularly for children.

Buffering Agent: Medications need to maintain a specific pH to ensure stability and effectiveness. Citric acid acts as a buffering agent, helping to regulate the pH of various formulations.

Antioxidant: Citric acid works as a chelating agent, binding with metal ions to prevent oxidation and degradation of pharmaceutical products. This enhances the shelf life and efficacy of many medications.

Effervescence: Citric acid is also an essential component in effervescent formulations. When combined with sodium bicarbonate, it creates a bubbling reaction that quickly disperses active compounds and allows for rapid dissolution. This is especially beneficial for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. The effervescent action not only promotes quick dispersion of medications but also enhances absorption through the oral mucosa. By avoiding the first-pass metabolism in the liver, effervescent medications increase the bioavailability of the drug, leading to faster onset of action. Additionally, citric acid enhances buccal absorption by sequestering calcium ions, making cell junctions more permeable and promoting efficient drug transport.

One of the most critical uses of citric acid is in blood storage solutions. When combined with sodium citrate and glucose, citric acid preserves red blood cells, keeping stored blood viable for transfusions. Additionally, citric acid is being explored in the development of innovative biomaterials, including tissue engineering and wound dressings, due to its biocompatibility and ability to enhance mechanical properties.