By Yi Liu, PharmD, PhD, PCCA Research Pharmacist

Peer-reviewed journals have recently published a lot of PCCA’s original research as well as that of independent researchers studying PCCA products. We have been investigating novel therapies, extending beyond-use dates (BUDs) for compounded formulations, evaluating pharmacy compounding equipment and much more. Here is a brief summary.

Naltrexone in Dermatology
The journal Archives of Dermatological Research recently published our study entitled “In Vitro Evaluation of Naltrexone HCl 1% Topical Cream in XemaTop™ for Psoriasis.” We investigated the mechanism of action, in vitro efficacy and stability of this topical cream containing low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in PCCA’s base XemaTop for the treatment of psoriasis. This article provides a basis for potential psoriasis treatment options and may be useful to clinicians who are interested in LDN as well. PCCA members who would like more information about this study can contact PCCA Science for the full text of the article or further discussion.

We were also honored to have this novel research in psoriasis therapy selected as an oral presentation at the 79th International Pharmaceutical Federation World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in September 2019. Suki Pramar, PhD, from our Clinical Services team presented the data to a full auditorium. The presentation slides are publicly available online.

Stability of APIs in SuspendIt^®
In its November/December 2019 issue, The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding published a bracketed stability study of amlodipine besylate in SuspendIt, PCCA’s proprietary suspending agent, granting an extended BUD for the formulation in the study. This follows previously published stability studies of common active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in this base. These previous studies have established extended BUDs for naltrexone hydrochloride, ursodiol, trimethoprim and sulfadiazine, spironolactone, fluconazole and clindamycin in SuspendIt.

Minimizing Powder Exposure for USP <800>
To help comply with USP General Chapter <800> and explore more strategies for compounders, Chad Hutson, PharmD, PCCA Clinical Compounding Pharmacist, and A. J. Day, PharmD, PCCA Vice President of Clinical Services, have performed a study to evaluate the efficacy of a containment ventilated enclosure (CVE). They found strong evidence that a properly calibrated CVE for containment of hazardous aerosol-generating compounding activities is effective in minimizing powder chemical exposure to the compounder. This research is also available in the November/December 2019 issue of The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding with the title “Evaluation of Containment Ventilated Enclosure Performance in Absence of Negative Pressure Containment Secondary Engineering Control.”

Case Study: Pain Management for Achilles Tendonitis
We in PCCA Science are still diligently working with members on case studies. On the PCCA Science webpage, we recently published a new case study, “Achilles Tendonitis: Pain Management by Compounding,” submitted by Jim Perry, RPh, from District Drugs & Compounding Center in Rock Island, Illinois. The study evaluated the effectiveness of diclofenac and lidocaine in Lipoderm® for two patients with Achilles tendonitis.

New Independent Compounding Research
Outside PCCA, independent researchers have constantly presented data of PCCA products that are consistent with our findings, which further demonstrate the quality and reliability of our products. In the November/December 2019 issue of The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, a study validated the compatibility of two PCCA flavors in an omeprazole oral liquid. In another study published in that issue, gabapentin in a Lipoderm formulation once again showed fast release and high skin permeation. Lipoderm was recommended by the authors as “the most practical option for compounding.”¹

PCCA member pharmacies who are interested in conducting and publishing research with PCCA are welcome to contact PCCA Science at pccascience@pccarx.com.

Yi Liu, PharmD, PhD, is a research pharmacist in the Research and Development department at PCCA. She joined PCCA as a clinical pharmacy researcher in the Clinical Services department in 2018 and started her current role in 2019. Yi graduated from Ohio University with a PhD in molecular and cellular biology in 2012. She also worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Houston Methodist Research Institute for three years prior to starting pharmacy school. Yi received her PharmD from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy in 2019.

 Reference
1.    Shakshuki, A., & Agu, R. U. (2019). Compounded topical gabapentin for neuropathic pain: Does choice of base affect efficacy? The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, 23(6), 496–503. Retrieved from https://www.ijpc.com/

These statements are provided for educational purposes only. They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and are not to be interpreted as a promise, guarantee or claim of therapeutic efficacy or safety. The information contained herein is not intended to replace or substitute for conventional medical care, or encourage its abandonment.