Modernising the Monograph for Cetomacrogol Cream BP 1980, Formulation A

A monograph for cetomacrogol cream has been omitted from the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) since 1980. Products containing this cream as a base are still available on the market, for example Bactroban cream®. Hence, there is a need to update monograph for cetomacrogol cream. For this purpose Cetomacrogol Cream BP, formula A was analysed with different test methods. The BP formula B was not available commercially for comparison. This cream was tested for various parameters: appearance, texture, pH value, melting and freezing points, sulphated ash value, and viscosity. It has been found that these tests show useful results and should be included in a new monograph. Results obtained show relevance to use in determining storage conditions, which can be incorporated on the label of this product. Attempts to determine quantitative analysis using HPLC-UV, HPLC-MS and UV- spectroscopy showed no useful results. The reasons behind this can be absence of aromatic group in cream detectable by UV and the presence of many different chain lengths of cetomacrogol makes MS spectrum meaningless. The study demonstrates parameters and ways by which monograph for cetomacrogol cream can be updated.