Innovative Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine Hydrochloride Topical Cream Formulations for Anorectal Conditions: Enhanced In Vitro Release Profile

This study focuses on analyzing the in vitro release characteristics, as well as improving the penetration rate and stability of hydrocortisone acetate and pramoxine. This medication combination (hydrocortisone and pramoxine) is the first generic drug product utilized to alleviate minor pain, itching, swelling, and discomfort associated with anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids. <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The developed novel formulations contain hydrocortisone acetate and pramoxine HCl as active ingredients, at least one solvent, at least one penetrating agent, at least one emulsifying agent, at least one surfactant, and at least one antimicrobial preservative, and pH values between 3.0 and 5.0, preferably between 3.5 and 4.5. <b>Methods</b>: Typical semi-solid dosage form quality control tests included appearance, identification, content homogeneity, pH, viscosity, assay, compounds of interest, microbiological testing, and in vitro release testing. In in vitro release testing, a series of formulations containing hydrocortisone acetate and pramoxine were tested for in vitro release across the Strat-M membrane using Franz diffusion cells methodology in comparison to a reference product (Pramosone Cream 2.5%). <b>Results</b>: Quantitative content of the release tests of the active ingredients in the cream, assay tests, antimicrobial preservative efficacy, and stability tests were carried out by high-sensitivity liquid chromatography. <b>Conclusions:</b> In conclusion, the cream formulations developed in this study have the potential to offer more effective treatment compared to reference products in terms of both in vitro release rates, and their reliability and validity were confirmed through validation studies.