Pentravan®

Transdermal dosage forms offer several benefits over conventional routes, such as avoiding first-pass metabolism, preventing gastrointestinal erosion caused by certain drugs, and offering a sustained release and lower fluctuations of plasma levels.

This is Fagron Brands Pentravan®

What are transdermal dosage forms? 

Transdermal dosage forms are dosage forms in which the product is applied to the skin and is diffused through the layers of the skin at a controlled speed, reaching the systemic circulation and being distributed through the tissues until it reaches its site of action. Transdermal dosage forms can be patches, creams, gels, ointments, lotions, gel-creams, plasters and any other pharmaceutical form that allows the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to permeate (spread through) the layers of the skin, resulting in a therapeutic effect. The transdermal technology enabled the production of effective systems to promote the absorption of drugs through the skin. The skin covers the surface of the body and represents 16% of the body’s weight. It has a complex structure, being formed by the epidermis (of ectodermal embryonal origin) and dermis (of mesodermal origin), which means that the API needs to cross multiple barriers, in order to gain systemic circulation. Therefore, developing a transdermal dosage form with proven transdermal permeation is a complex task, which can be challenging to the compounding pharmacies worldwide – reason why ready-to-use vehicles like Pentravan® are so important and beneficial.

Patient brochure

The benefits of transdermal vehicles

The development of transdermal vehicles was stimulated due to the limitations of other conventional drug delivery routes. Transdermal dosage forms offer several benefits over conventional routes, such as avoiding first-pass metabolism, preventing gastrointestinal erosion caused by certain drugs, and offering a sustained release and lower fluctuations of plasma levels. Transdermal vehicles like Pentravan® also have a lower inter- and intrapatient variability, as they are not influenced by gastrointestinal fluids. They are the appropriate choice for APIs with a (very) short half-life, low therapeutic index and/or low oral bioavailability. Medication compounded in transdermal vehicles are also more patient friendly, easier to use, and have better adherence for some medicines, especially when there are prominent oral side-effects. However, some limitations also need to be considered, such as formulations being limited to potent APIs, with low molecular weight (<500 Da), and those that would not irritate or sensitize the skin.

Product brochures

Key stats and figures

Patient friendly with better adherence
Most studied transdermal vehicle for compounding
Permeation studies in endocrinology, aging, and gynecology

Pentravan®

The permeation process for an API involves multiple mechanisms that need to be evaluated for a proper transdermal product. To facilitate transdermal administration and improve safety and efficacy, Fagron has developed Pentravan®, a permeation enhancing vanishing cream that acts as a transdermal delivery system for APIs and is intended for use as a cream base for pharmaceutical compounding. It is ready-to-use to facilitate compounding by the pharmacist. Pentravan® is an oil-in-water emulsion capable to establish a greater rate and extent of absorption of the API than other transdermal bases. Therefore, more of the API will become available in a shorter time to establish the effect of the therapy. Pentravan® is a true vanishing cream, leaving no sticky residue and providing a cosmetically elegant skin feel.

  • Ready to use vehicle
  • Compatible with a wide range of APIs
  • Simple compounding process
See Pentravan® formulations