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With COVID-19 restrictions lifting over the past year, consumers feel more inclined to travel, especially to warmer climates. Due to the Transportation Security Administration's regulations, consumers must use smaller-sized personal care products, including sunscreen, by either purchasing travel-sized products or transferring them to alternative packaging that are 3.4 oz or smaller. Doing so may result in stability issues impacting the products' safety and efficacy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the quality, stability, and performance of three commercial inorganic sunscreen emulsions containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and a combination of these UV filters when transferred from their original packaging into four different travelsize (i.e., 2 oz) containers, including clear plastic bottles, clear glass jars, aluminum jars, and silicone bottles. The sunscreens were evaluated for in vitro SPF, critical wavelength, spreadability, pH, viscosity, particle size, and physical stability after a 0-, 2-, 4-, 8-, and 12-week period at 25°C and 45°C. Additionally, the samples were subject to three freeze-thaw cycles. The silicone bottles proved to be unsuitable packaging for inorganic sunscreen emulsions due to the loss of material, changes in spreadability, and the substantial increase in in vitro SPF values of all three sunscreens. The titanium dioxide-based sunscreens solidified in silicone packaging both at 25°C and 45°C after 2 weeks, and the zinc oxide-based and combination sunscreens' in vitro SPF in silicone packaging at 25°C increased by 123% and 636%, respectively, and at 45°C increased by 136% and 766%, respectively. Additionally, the firmness of the zinc oxide-based and combination sunscreen changed significantly in silicone packaging at 25°C during the stability study. While transferring personal care products into smaller, trendy containers may sound like a reasonable option for consumers, doing so could trigger compatibility issues between the packaging and the product. Transferring sunscreens from their original packaging leads to changes in the product's appearance, and most importantly, it can affect the extent of protection they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are numerous cosmetic ingredients that have been identified to have blue light protection benefits. The urge to learn more about blue light protection claims has led to several substantiation test methods that can be utilized by companies to prove product efficacy. Aims: Part II of this article provides up‐to‐date information on cosmetic ingredients that can provide protection from blue light, and methods companies can use to substantiate blue light protection claims. Methods: An Internet search was completed using the Google Scholar database and a cosmetic ingredient supplier database (UL Prospector) for ingredients and relevant literature. Results: Multiple ingredient categories, for example, algae‐derived ingredients, UV filters, botanical extracts, antioxidants, and vitamins, are available on the market to fight against blue light‐induced skin damage. There is not a formal standardized method to test for blue light protection; however, spectrophotometers, imaging devices, measuring oxidative stress, and visual evaluations are some of the methods being used today. Conclusions: The number of ingredients launched for blue light protection and new methods developed to test products for blue light protection claims is expected to increase in the near future as we are learning more about the mechanism of damage that occurs in the skin upon blue light exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blue light is emitted visible light between the wavelengths of 400 to 500 nm. The main source of blue light is sunlight, but digital screens, light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), and fluorescent lighting serve as additional sources. Concerns about the negative effects of blue light on the skin have rapidly increased over the past 15 years, and consequently, the urge to learn more about this topic is increasing as well. Aims: Part I of this article provides up‐to‐date information on the definition of blue light and the negative and positive effects of blue light on the skin. Methods: An Internet search was completed using the Google scholar database for relevant literature. Results: Blue light can be both harmful and beneficial to the skin, depending on intensity and wavelength. Short‐term safety information is more readily available from clinical studies; however, the biological effects of repeated and/or longer‐term exposure are not fully understood yet. Conclusions: Low‐energy and low exposure times to high‐energy blue light can help prevent skin diseases, while studies have revealed that longer exposure to high‐energy blue light can increase the amount of DNA damage, cell and tissue death, and injury, eye damage, skin barrier damage, and photoaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvents play an essential role in the performance of ultraviolet (UV) filters. The goal of this study was to understand how the in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) and broad-spectrum protection of three organic UV filters (homosalate, ethylhexyl salicylate, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) and a combination of these are influenced by solvents. Twenty-four solvents were selected based on the ingredient active gap for testing. Mixtures of UV fi lters and solvents were formulated, and in vitro SPF, wavelength of maximum absorbance, broad-spectrum protection, and spreadability were evaluated. Results indicate that in vitro SPF of organic sunscreens can be significantly enhanced by solvents. Relying on solubility data only was not found to be a good approach in this study. The most efficient solvents shared multiple similar structural characteristics, including ester bonds, conjugated structure, aromatic rings, and -CN groups; however, the absence of some of these structural elements did not necessarily prevent a solvent from being a booster. The wavelength of maximum absorbance was significantly shifted in the UVA range by most solvents, whereas minimal or no shift was observed in the UVB range. Results of this study provide practical information that can guide sunscreen formulators in selecting solvents for UV fi lters and making more effective sunscreens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The need to determine physical compatibility of intravenous admixtures is directly related to patient safety and patient outcomes. While the provision of multi-modal analgesic strategies has increased over the past decade, a paucity of data exists regarding physical compatibility of select medications. Objectives: To evaluate the physical compatibility of methocarbamol in Lactated Ringer’s (LR), 0.45% normal saline (0.45% NaCl), and Plasma-Lyte A (PLA) at concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL. Methods: Admixtures were prepared and evaluated using previously validated methods under a laminar flow hood using aseptic technique. Samples were prepared in a triplicate manner, 3 mL aliquots were placed into polymethyl methacrylate cuvettes for evaluation at time points 0, 1, 5, 8, and 24 hours. Visual inspection of samples included assignment of a number: 0—no precipitation, 1—trace evidence of precipitation, 2—slight haze, 3—medium haze, and 4—heavy precipitation. Any evidence of precipitation was considered significant. A variable wavelength spectrophotometer set at 547 nanometers was used to measure absorbance. A change in absorbance of ±0.010 was considered significant. A change in pH of ±0.1 was considered significant. Results: No significant changes occurred relating to visual inspection or absorbance across all concentrations and time points for LR; however, there was a significant change in pH across all concentrations at hour 5. In 0.45% NaCl and PLA, no remarkable changes occurred across all concentrations and time points regarding visual observation, spectrophotometric absorbance, and pH analysis. Conclusions: Methocarbamol at concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL is physically compatible for up to 1 hour in LR. Methocarbamol is physically compatible in 0.45% NaCl and PLA for up to 24 hours. Chemical stability tests are warranted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the physical compatibility of intravenous (IV) medications is vital for patient care and safety in acute care settings. Drug information resources list ondansetron and nafcillin as IV compatible, however, bolus concentrations of ondansetron are not reported. This study investigated the in vitro physical compatibility of bolus and infusion concentrations of ondansetron hydrochloride with nafcillin sodium. Two admixtures were prepared: 1) ondansetron hydrochloride 2 mg/mL and nafcillin sodium 20 mg/mL, and 2) ondansetron hydrochloride 0.16 mg/mL and nafcillin sodium 20 mg/mL. The admixtures were prepared in triplicate using aseptic technique according to manufacturer guidance and stored at room temperature (22-23 °C) for up to 24 hours. Admixtures were examined for visual precipitation, turbidity, and pH at baseline and at 1, 5, 8, and 24 hours. Admixture 1 developed a haze immediately after mixing, which was sustained over 24 hours. There was a demonstrative change in absorbance after 1 hour, but pH remained stable until hour 24. Admixture 2 developed a haze at 5 hours, but the absorbance and pH remained stable until hour 24; a decrease in the pH was observed in all samples at hour 24. This in vitro study revealed that ondansetron hydrochloride 2 mg/mL and nafcillin sodium 20 mg/mL are not physically compatible when administered through the same IV line. No demonstrative change was observed with ondansetron hydrochloride 0.16 mg/mL and nafcillin sodium 20 mg/mL; however, concurrent administration of these medications is questionable when delivered through an IV line for periods of five hours or longer., (Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.)

Continuous infusions of heparin and furosemide are often required for hospitalized patients to treat cardiac-related disease states. Concomitant infusion of heparin and furosemide through the same intravenous line minimizes the need for multiple intravenous sites. For concomitant infusions to be administered, knowledge of the physical compatibility for intravenous medications is imperative for patient safety and administering medications to maximize their effectiveness. Currently, heparin and furosemide are listed as Y-site compatible, but precipitation was reported at a large academic medical center, which questions this compatibility. This study investigated the in vitro physical compatibility of heparin sodium premix 25,000 units/250 mL in dextrose 5% water from two different manufacturers with furosemide 40 mg/4 mL at concentrations of 4:1 for heparin sodium and furosemide. The admixtures were prepared in triplicate using aseptic technique, stored at 19°C to 24°C and examined for visual precipitation, turbidity, and pH change at baseline, 1, 5, 8, 24, and 48 hours. Heparin sodium, B. Braun Medical Inc. or Hospira, Inc. solutions, and furosemide admixtures revealed changes over 48 hours. Changes in visual appearance, absorbance, and pH were observed at hour 5 compared to baseline for the B. Braun Medical Inc. admixture. The Hospira, Inc. admixture revealed visual changes by hour 48, but demonstrative changes in absorbance and pH did not occur. Our observations found demonstrative changes in physical compatibility in the admixtures of heparin sodium and furosemide at a ratio of 4:1. The findings suggest that a combination of the solutions in this study be avoided until further research is completed., (Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.)

The sales potential of cosmetic products is greatly determined by skin feel and skin sensory performance. To please the target audience, it is important to gather information about consumers' perception of products' sensory characteristics. In this study, six different emulsions were formulated. Samples represented three different types of emulsions, including steric-stabilized oil-in-water (O/W), liquid crystal-stabilized O/W, and water-in-oil emulsions, providing different skin feel and aesthetics. Emulsions within the same group differed in the emollients, providing similar sensory attributes. The aim was to have 50 consumers evaluate the emulsions' sensory characteristics. Using a check-all-that-apply (CATA) survey, consumers provided information about their perception of appearance, rub-out, pick-up, and afterfeel. Consumers effectively discriminated between the emulsions. Statistical analysis showed significant differences for 15 sensory attributes in the before, during, and after phases. Our findings suggest that emulsifiers, and not emollients, have the dominant role in determining the aesthetics of a skin care emulsion, similar to previous findings. The fact that untrained consumers provided similar results as trained panelists suggests the validity of the CATA survey and its reliability as a screening tool in the product development process. CATA questions may serve as a viable complimentary to descriptive sensory analysis performed by trained panelists.

Suppository molds must be properly calibrated to ensure accurate dosing. There are often slight differences between molds and even in the cavities within a mold. A method is presented for the calibration of standard aluminum 6-, 12-, 50-, or 100-well suppository molds. Ten different molds were tested using water for volume calibration, and cocoa butter for standardization involving establishing the density factor. This method is shown to be straightforward and appropriate for calibrating suppository molds.