Cutaneous toxicity studies with methoxy polyethylene glycol-350 (MPEG-350) in rats and rabbits

Development and validation of LC-MS method for the determination of heptaethylene glycol monomethyl ether in benzonatate bulk drugs

A simple and isocratic reverse-phase liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the determination of heptaethylene glycol monomethyl ether in benzonatate drug substance. Benzonatate is an oral antitussive drug used to relieve and suppress cough in patients older than 10 years. The presence of residual heptaethylene glycol monomethyl ether in the benzonatate drug substance affects the safety, strength, purity and quality of the drug substance. The subject compound separation was achieved using 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile (50:50 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The Suplex PKB-100 250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm LC column was used for a better peak shape. Detection was carried out at an m/z value of 341. The linearity curve showed a correlation of coefficient of >0.999. The precision and intermediate precision (RSD) were <7.30. The accuracy values were >90% for all levels. The developed method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and found to be a novel, specific and sensitive analytical method for determination of components of interest.

Safety Assessment of Alkyl PEG Ethers as Used in Cosmetics

The CIR Expert Panel assessed the safety of Alkyl PEG Ethers as used in cosmetics. These ingredients primarily function in cosmetics as surfactants, and some have additional functions as skin-conditioning agents, fragrance ingredients, and emulsion stabilizers. The Panel reviewed available relevant animal and clinical data, as well as information from previous CIR reports; when data were not available for individual ingredients, the Panel extrapolated from the existing data to support safety. The Panel concluded that the Alkyl PEG ethers are safe as used when formulated to be nonirritating, and the same applies to future alkyl PEG ether cosmetic ingredients that vary from those ingredients recited herein only by the number of ethylene glycol repeat units.