Microfluidics is proud to be playing its part by helping leading companies to produce propofol, which is used as a sedative for mechanically ventilated patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU). It is currently on the FDA’s drug shortage list[1] due to the surge in demand.
What is Propofol?
Propofol is available under a number of different brand names around the world. It is usually formulated as a lipid emulsion using either solely soybean oil or a mixture of 1:1 ratio of soybean oil and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil as the carrier oil.
The Challenge Of Making Propofol
A challenge in making commercial emulsions suitable for intravenous administration is the ability to get the droplet size to the target size and within a narrow particle distribution.
Creating Stable Nanoemulsions
Microfluidizer processors® comply with cGMP regulations making them an ideal solution for making commercial emulsions. The technology has a proven track record for making intravenous drugs as the liquid particle sizes can be reduced effectively enough to create stable nanoemulsions with not only small droplets but also tight particle size distributions. The d90 particle sizes (meaning 90 percent of droplet population is smaller than the target size) achieved mean that sterile filtration is possible, further improving the quality and safety of the final product – download the Application Note to find out the full details.
Accurate Scalability
Scaling up to production scale, that which is achieved in the R&D lab can be challenging at times. But with Microfluidizer technology® this transference of results is assured. Results achieved on pilot scale equipment is replicated on production-scale equipment, enabling companies to supply the surge in demand.
If you would like to find out more then download the application note 'Microfluidizer® Technology for producing propofol emulsion' or alternatively if you want to talk to one of our Technical Experts, then please contact our team.
[1] Current and Resolved Drug Shortages and Discontinuations Reported to FDA
