Some of the largest pharmaceutical drug companies banked over $10 billion in 2014, a significant proportion of which came from pharmaceutical creams. Used to treat a variety of conditions, largely skin-related (e.g. rashes, stings, and fungal infections), pharmaceutical creams can be prepared as either water-in-oil (w/o) or oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions. Regardless of the type, however, most creams are emulsion-based. Keep reading for the advantages of emulsions over other products, and why your lab should consider using them for your pharmaceutical creams.
- Controlled Absorption Rate - To successfully combat some conditions, drug treatment is required at specific time intervals. Pharmaceutical emulsions can be programmed for rapid or slow release, depending on what the condition requires. So if a patient applies the pharmaceutical cream at Hour 0, the active ingredient may be released at both Hour 0 and Hour 1.
- Flexibility in Particle Size - Although it may be assumed that the smaller the particle size the better, it is a uniform product that creates consistency in patient outcomes. This is particularly important if the patient purchases product from more than one batch of creams. A company may choose to use a nanoemulsion, or alternatively, a microemulsion; either way, they have the flexibility to achieve various particle sizes and use them consistently across a single product.
- Improved Dissolution and Bioavailability - This point is particularly important for poorly water-soluble drugs, which would otherwise have lower rates of dissolution and bioavailability. Improved bioavailability is cost-effective for the manufacturer as well, as less product needs to be produced to achieve the same effect.
- Use of Water as Diluent and Solvent - Ability to use water as both diluent and solvent is incredibly advantageous. It is both inexpensive as a diluent and effective as a solvent. Regardless of whether you are producing a w/o or o/w emulsion, water will be necessary. (1)
Pion: Equipment For Emulsion Production
As you either embark on, or continue along, the process of producing emulsions for pharmaceutical creams, your product’s success depends on the equipment used to make it. High pressure homogenization is the most common method for producing emulsions, because of both its powerful mixing process and its cost/time effectiveness. The homogenizer will shear fluid by forcing it through a restrictive valve, forming a high-quality emulsion.
Pion Technology is trusted by lab managers and scientists around the world for their high-pressure homogenizers. They offer homogenizers that are both high-quality and reliable, and which can help your lab produce nano/micro emulsions, dispersions, and suspensions to be incorporated into your pharmaceutical cream.
