Ammonium Lactate Cream

Dosage form: cream
Drug class:Topical emollients

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 1, 2021.

For Dermatologic Use Only

Not for Ophthalmic, Oral or Intravaginal Use

Rx Only

Ammonium Lactate Cream Description

*Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% is a formulation of 12% lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydroxide, as ammonium lactate with a pH of 4.4 - 5.4. Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% also contains cetyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, laureth-4, light mineral oil, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, methylparaben, PEG-100 stearate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propylene glycol, propylparaben, and purified water.

Lactic acid is a racemic mixture of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and has the following structural formula:

Ammonium Lactate Cream - Clinical Pharmacology

Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid. It is a normal constituent of tissues and blood. The alpha-hydroxy acids (and their salts) are felt to act as humectants when applied to the skin. This property may influence hydration of the stratum corneum. In addition, lactic acid, when applied to the skin, may act to decrease corneocyte cohesion. The mechanism(s) by which this is accomplished is not yet known.

An in vitro study of percutaneous absorption of Ammonium Lactate Cream using human cadaver skin indicates that approximately 6.1% of the material was absorbed after 68 hours.

Indications and Usage for Ammonium Lactate Cream

Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% is indicated for the treatment of ichthyosis vulgaris and xerosis.

Contraindications

Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the label ingredients.

Warning

Sun exposure to areas of the skin treated with Ammonium Lactate Cre...