Question
Posted on: March 6 2013We regularly make following hemorrhoids ointment: Hydrocort acet 4mg lidocaine 4mg Diphenhydraminehcl 8mg PEG Ointment ad 1gr
Until recently, the PEG ointment was on the market, but it is now no longer available; As formula, the pack gives peg 4000 40% and PEG 400 60% (monograph Purna). If we make this composition ourselves, we obtain a base that is somewhat more rigid than the factory ointment, but is also equivalent to "on sight". The above formula is starting OK, but after about 4 weeks the ointment turns out to be very tight, and is no longer squeezing out of the tube. What can be the reason for this, and is this a solution? (possible ratio 4000/400 adjusting?)
Answer
I suspect that Purna edit their PEG ointment with the ointment grinder, which then increases the fluidity. So you could also try this as a first Test. A second possibility exists in the purchase of PEG 1500, which is available but does not fully correspond to the composition of the PEG ointment of the PB V. This product is slightly more fluid which fits in your application. A third possibility exists in consulting the booklet Galenic formulary in which a composition is described, which spreads better.