For a smooth, pleasing topical with a longer default beyond-use date.
WO6 Anhydrous is an elegant, stable base that is suitable for a broad range of dermatological and cosmetic applications, and that addresses the emerging needs of the modern compounding industry.
Over the years, compounders and regulators have paid increasing attention to beyond-use-dating criteria for compounded medications. There has been a corresponding desire for extending beyond-use dates (BUDs) to make compounds more efficient for compounders and more convenient for patients. In many specialty areas of compounding, including dermatological, there is simultaneously the need for topical bases that are light, smooth and creamy with a pleasant finish on the skin, and that can accommodate ingredients with poor aqueous stability. PCCA’s W06 fulfills all of these criteria.
WO6 has water activity below 0.6 (Aw < 0.6), classifying it as an anhydrous base. This allows for prolonged BUDs by default according to the latest standards in pharmacy compounding, and it allows it to accommodate ingredients that are unstable in aqueous environments, such as hydroquinone and ascorbic acid. It is also not tacky or oily, leaving a light, silky feel on the skin that patients will appreciate.
Benefits for Compounders
- Higher Profitability: WO6 allows for prolonged default BUDs without having to spend thousands of dollars on stability testing, and it can increase operational efficiency for compounders making anticipatory batches
- Broad application: WO6 is suitable for a variety of dermatological or cosmetic applications and is capable of accommodating challenging ingredients, including hydroquinone and ascorbic acid
Benefits for Patients
- Convenience: It is anhydrous, which allows for a longer BUDs and less-frequent prescription refills
- Pleasant application: WO6 is smooth and creamy, offering a refined cosmetic feel to customized medications without a greasy or tacky residue
- Soft skin: WO6 has emollient properties, moisturizing and softening the skin as it delivers active ingredients
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WO6 for vaginal or rectal medications?
The ingredients in WO6 are safe for topical use, but studies have not been done to test its safety for intra-vaginal or intra-rectal use. Therefore, it should only be used for topical applications.
Can I use WO6 for topical veterinary medications?
Yes.
Does WO6 replace other topical bases used for dermatology or cosmetics, such as Clarifying™ or XemaTop™?
While this base does not replace Clarifying or XemaTop, it is an anhydrous option to consider. WO6 is a great option especially when dealing with ingredients that are unstable in aqueous environments due to its low water activity.
Do I have to refrigerate compounds with WO6 that contain hydroquinone or ascorbic acid?
While oxidation is a concern for these ingredients when compounded in aqueous bases, WO6 is anhydrous. Therefore, you can store WO6-based preparations containing hydroquinone or ascorbic acid at room temperature, assuming you have not added aqueous ingredients.
Always make sure you have checked the PCCA Formula Database and are following the most up-to-date version of a formula, as changes are continuously made to existing formulations to provide the highest quality. The formulas and/or statements listed are provided for educational purposes only. They are compounding ideas that have commonly been requested by physicians, and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Formulas and/or material listed 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. Every patient is unique, and formulas should be adjusted to meet their individual needs.