Azelaic Acid 15% / Tranexamic Acid 3% Gel is a compounded topical preparation that carries two pigment directed actives in a blend of two anhydrous bases, PermE8® and WO6®. Neither active is sold in this combination commercially. The base blend is chosen to solve a delivery problem and a stability problem at the same time.
How it works
- The pharmacist incorporates azelaic acid and tranexamic acid into the PermE8® and WO6® base blend at prescriber ordered strengths.
- Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid used in dermatology. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent studied for pigment concerns.
- Tranexamic acid is highly water soluble, which means it does not cross the outer skin layer easily on its own.
- PermE8® is a permeation enhancing base, included to help move the actives past the stratum corneum.
- WO6® is a dermatologic anhydrous gel that keeps the finished preparation stable and light on the skin.
What the two bases contribute
PermE8® handles delivery. It is a permeation enhancing anhydrous base built to carry drugs through the skin, and it can hold several actives at once. It spreads more easily than older anhydrous permeation vehicles.
WO6® handles stability and feel. It is built for dermatologic and cosmetic use. It is not tacky or oily, which matters for a preparation applied to the face every day.
Both are anhydrous, and that is the shared advantage. Each carries a water activity below 0.6. Low water content means fewer of the water driven stability problems that shorten shelf life, and under USP 795 an anhydrous base supports a longer default beyond use date. Fewer refills for the patient, less waste for the practice.
When prescribers choose it
- Dermatologists ordering a pigment combination not available commercially
- Prescribers who want a preparation without hydroquinone in it
- Aesthetic and med spa practices working under a supervising prescriber
- Family medicine and integrative practices managing pigment concerns
Dosage forms and strengths
- Azelaic acid 15% and tranexamic acid 3%, or other strengths the prescriber sets
- Base ratio adjusted toward permeation or toward elegance
- Additional actives added at the prescriber's direction
- Fragrance free and dye free
How Mixwell prepares it
Mixwell compounds this preparation in Chino, California under USP 795 standards for non sterile compounding. Beyond use dating and batch documentation follow USP requirements, and the anhydrous base blend is one reason this preparation can carry a longer beyond use date than a water based equivalent. Finished preparations ship across California.
References
Patients should talk with their own healthcare professional about their circumstances before taking any medication.
Reviewed by Linda Pungpravat, Compounding Pharmacist, RPh, Mixwell Compounding Pharmacy, Chino, CA.
