Degradation in Pharmaceutical Creams: Ascorbic Acid Demonstrating Phenomenon: A Review

Abstract

Background: Pharmaceutical preparations for topical use are available in semi-solid dosage form termed as creams, have tendency to degrade it or there are some factors involve in the phenomenon. Aim: This review is compilation of studies performed on stability and degradation of Ascorbic acid (AA) creams by keeping goal in mind to finely demonstrate the central premise of this article that is to cover all aspects related to degradation in pharmaceutical creams. It was required to deep insight into degradation specifically in pharmaceutical creams, influences for phenomenon, degradation products, stability concerns and its effects on efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical creams. Method: A literature survey was carried out using scientific websites for publications according to predetermined search sequence. Ascorbic acid cream was taken as model in few articles to illustrate relevant studies. Result: Light, temperature, pH, microbial contamination, incompatibility of active ingredient or excipients, closure and packing material are the influential factors that may led pharmaceutical creams towards instabilities or degradation. Conclusion: This article concludes with the overview of published articles that there are certain factors of degradation in creams and by routine stability testing and adopting appropriate precautionary measures degradation in creams can be controlled and minimize.