Hydrogel, in full transparency
With a fast onset of action, a good safety profile, a nice cooling effect and being easy to apply and wash off, gels provide high patient satisfaction. Depending on the excipients used, a gel can be transparent, translucent, or opaque; however, transparency is highly preferred by patients. The challenge when developing a gel is to keep the drug in a solubilized state and to identify the gelling agent compatible with the requested quantity of solubilizer.
Gelling agent, the compulsory core of the system
A gel is a monophasic system consisting of drug, solubilizer and gelling agent. The most frequently used gelling agents are carbomers, hydroxyethyl cellulose. Some gelling agents require a neutralization step.
Solubilizer, for outstanding gel performance
Transcutol® P is compatible with all types of gelling agents and can be used at a very high concentration in the gel without altering its structure. Clear gels are obtained in all cases.
Labrasol® is compatible with all types of gelling agents. Depending on the concentration, clear or opaque gels are obtained.
Capryol® PGMC produces an opaque gel when used at <6% with hydroxypropyl cellulose.