Selegiline Hydrochloride 10 mg/mL in Pluronic Lecithin Organogel

US Pharm. 2013;38(5):33.

Method of Preparation: Calculate the required quantity of each ingredient for the total amount to be prepared. Accurately weigh or measure each ingredient. Dissolve the selegiline hydrochloride in the purified water. Incorporate the solution into about 70 mL cold Pluronic F127 20% gel and mix well. Incorporate the lecithin and isopropyl palmitate solution and mix well using a high-shear mixing method. Incorporate sufficient Pluronic F127 20% gel to volume and continue mixing using a high-shear mixing method. Package and label.

Note: The lecithin:isopropyl palmitate solution may be prepared by mixing 0.2 g sorbic acid, 50 g soy lecithin, and 50 g isopropyl palmitate. The Pluronic F127 solution may be prepared by mixing 0.2 g sorbic acid, 20 g Pluronic F127, and sufficient purified water to make 100 mL.

Use: Selegiline hydrochloride in Pluronic lecithin organogel has been used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other conditions of cognitive impairment.²

Packaging: Package in a tight, light-resistant container.¹

Labeling: For external use only. Use only as directed. Keep out of reach of children.

Stability: A beyond-use date of 30 days is appropriate for this preparation.¹

Quality Control: Quality-control tests may include theoretical weight compared with actual weight, specific gravity, active drug assay, rheologic properties, and physical observations.²

Discussion: Selegiline hydrochloride is a relatively stereoselective monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor used in the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease, as orally administered 5-mg capsules or tablets or as a transdermal system. Many studies have reported the pharmacokinetics, effectiveness, and safety of transdermally administered selegiline over the past 15 to 20 years.^3-13 The advantages of transdermal administration are the increase in blood levels of the drug and the decrease in blood levels of the metabolites, which indicate that extensive first-pass effect is avoided by topical administration. The selegiline transdermal system (Emsam; Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) is designed to deliver 6 mg, 9 mg, or 12 mg in 24 hours. The formulation presented here may be used for situations in which the commercial transdermal system may not be appropriate.

Selegiline hydrochloride (C₁₃H₁₇N.HCl, MW 223.74) occurs as a white, odorless, crystalline powder that is freely soluble in water and has a pKa of 7.5. It melts at 141°C to 145°C.¹

Lecithin (egg lecithin, soybean lecithin, vegetable lecithin) describes a complex derived from vegetable sources. Lecithin is practically insoluble in water, polar solvents, and cold vegetable and animal oils; when mixed with water, however, it hydrates to form emulsions. It should be stored in well-closed containers protected from light.¹⁴

Isopropyl palmitate (C₁₉H₃₈O₂, MW 298.51) is a colorless, mobile liquid that is soluble in acetone, castor oil, cottonseed oil, alcohol, and mineral oil. It is insoluble in water, glycerin, and propylene glycol. Isopropyl palmitate should be stored in well-closed containers and protected from light.¹⁵

Poloxamer 407 (Pluronic F127) is generally available in powdered form. It is odorless or may have a very mild odor. It is freely soluble in water, alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol.¹⁶

REFERENCES

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