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Data show 72% chronated glycerin has long shelf life, no contamination

Seventy-two percent chromated glycerin had no bacterial contamination and maintained its potency for up to 6 months, according to study results.

Researchers conducted bacterial endotoxin, sterility and potency analysis of five samples chromated glycerin (CG; Specialty Medicine Compounding Pharmacy) with a reported 72% concentration at days 0, 24 and 183. Other commercially available sclerosants, including 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS; Sotradecol, Mylan) and polidoncanol (POL; Asclera; Merz Pharma) were used for a cost comparison.

Unlike STS and POL, which are approved by the FDA for sclerotherapy, CG is used off-label and does not have the same level of available data on efficacy, potency, side effect profiles and cost, according to the researchers.

There was no bacterial contamination in the CG samples. At day 14, the glycerin maintained sterility, according to testing. The CG samples had a measured glycerin concentration of 71.4% and potency of 99.2% at day 24 and day 183.

CG had a lower cost per milliliter ($1.67) than 3% STS ($24) and POL ($10) in cost comparisons, according to the researchers.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.