Selection of the acceptor medium in in vitro measurements of drug release from dermatological ointments.

Comparative measurements of in vitro agent release using hydrophilic, intermediate, and lipophilic acceptor phases and in vivo measurements of the blanching effect with triamcinolone acetonide are reported. White petrolatum, wool alcohols ointment, and polyethylene glycol ointment served as donator phases. The results demonstrate that the lipophilic acceptor phase (isopropyl palmitate) is most representative for the in vivo acceptor phase. Conclusions cannot be drawn regarding in vivo effectiveness from measurements of agent release to the hydrophilic (phosphate buffer, pH 6) and intermediate (n-octanol) acceptor phases. In vitro measurements of agent release have a screening character and must usually be supplemented by very elaborate penetration models of the human skin for a definitive evaluation of an ointment.