| 1. Weighing & Mixing |
Weigh all dry excipients (excluding ketoconazole). Blend in a clean, dry mixing vessel until homogeneous. |
Use a twin‑screw extruder or high‑shear mixer. |
| 2. Melting |
Melt petrolatum, white soft paraffin, and cetostearyl alcohol at 70–80 °C. |
Maintain below 90 °C to avoid ketoconazole degradation. |
| 3. Incorporate Surfactants |
Add polysorbate 20, glyceryl stearate SE, stearic acid, and any optional surfactants to the melt while stirring. |
Keep temperature 60–70 °C. |
| 4. Add the API |
Gradually sprinkle ketoconazole powder into the molten base while stirring to avoid clumping. |
Ensure uniform distribution; use a mechanical stirrer at 200–300 rpm. |
| 5. Cool & Emulsify |
Cool to 40–45 °C and add water phase (propylene glycol, glycerin, pH adjuster, preservatives) while mixing. |
Use a high‑shear mixer or homogenizer to form a stable oil‑in‑water emulsion. |
| 6. Adjust pH & Add Final Additives |
Adjust pH to 5.5–6.5 with citric acid or NaOH. Add tocopherol, lanolin, or other optional additives. |
Verify pH with calibrated pH meter. |
| 7. Quality Control |
Test for appearance, consistency, pH, drug content, sterility (if required), and microbial limit. |
Follow USP <1170> for emulsion quality checks. |
| 8. Packaging |
Fill into amber glass or HDPE containers, seal, and label. |
Ensure packaging protects from light and moisture. |