This article was updated October, 29, 2020

In 2018, we introduced the pharmacy compounding world to PermE8^® Anhydrous Gel, a new permeation-enhancing topical base that holds a lot of potential for compounding pharmacies and their patients. While PermE8 delivers active pharmaceutical ingredients very well, and provides prolonged beyond-use dates by default, the experts in our Clinical Services and Formulation Development departments still recommend Lipoderm as a first choice for customized permeation-enhancing medications. Here’s why.

Incomparable Support

Lipoderm has provided important options for many patients over the years as the premier base used in deep-penetrating topical compounds for local absorption or systemic absorption. It is scientifically proven to deliver active ingredients through the skin, even up to four at one time. It is also supported by a significant portfolio of peer-reviewed publications. In fact, it has been included in over 30 journal articles. Most recently, the United States Pharmacopeial Convention included Lipoderm in an official USP compounded preparation monograph, “Ondansetron Compounded Topical Gel (20 mg/mL).”

Don’t Forget the Pets

Many compounders are familiar with Lipoderm for human use, but some don’t know that it has also been third-party tested for feline use , and that it is safe for topical use in dogs, cats and horses as well as certain exotic species. This means it provides options that can be easier for a pet owner to apply to the patient than administering pills or liquids.

Numerous Formulas

We have developed over 150 formulas with Lipoderm, including many for veterinary use. We have studied over 20 of those in our FormulaPlus ^™ program, and they have extended beyond-use dates backed by stability-indicating methods. Four of those are bracketed studies, offering compounders extended beyond-use dates in a range of active pharmaceutical ingredient concentrations. These FormulaPlus beyond-use date studies can save compounders thousands of dollars in stability testing because we’ve already taken care of it. PCCA members with Clinical Services access can find all of our Lipoderm formulas , including those with extended beyond-use dates, in the PCCA formula database.

Meet the Family

The technology at the core of Lipoderm has been so powerful that we have used it to develop a line of bases to give compounding pharmacies even more options:

• Lipoderm ActiveMax^® is appropriate when compounding with ingredients in salt form at high concentrations
• Lipoderm HMW^™ can accommodate ingredients with high molecular weight
• Anhydrous Lipoderm is useful when working with ingredients that are unstable in aqueous environments, similar to our newer base, PermE8 Anhydrous Gel

If PCCA members have questions about Lipoderm , they can contact us at 800.331.2498. Not a member? Learn more about all that comes with PCCA membership, including access to Lipoderm and other exclusive compounding bases.

Pictured in the banner: David, a patient who has benefited from compounded permeation-enhancing medication. Watch David’s story .

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.