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Ammonium Lactate Prescribing Information

Package insert / product label
Dosage form: lotion
Drug class: Topical emollients

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 18, 2024.

Rx only

For Dermatologic Use Only.
Not for Ophthalmic, Oral or Intravaginal Use.

Ammonium Lactate Description

*Ammonium Lactate Lotion, 12% specially formulates 12% lactic acid, as ammonium lactate to provide a lotion pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Ammonium Lactate Lotion also contains cetyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl monostearate, laureth-4, light mineral oil, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, methylparaben, polyoxyethylene 100 stearate, polyoxyl stearate type II, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, and for pH adjustment: lactic acid. Lactic acid is a racemic mixture of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and has the following structural formula:

Chemical Structure

Ammonium Lactate - 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) may 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 vitrostudy of percutaneous absorption of Ammonium Lactate Lotion using human cadaver skin indicates that approximately 5.8% of the material was absorbed after 68 hours.

Indications and Usage for Ammonium Lactate

Ammonium Lactate Lotion is indicated for the treatment of dry, scaly skin (xerosis) and ichthyosis vulgaris and for temporary relief of itching associated with these conditions.

Contraindications

Ammonium Lactate Lotion is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the label ingredients.

Warnings

Sun exposure to areas of the skin treated with Ammonium Lactate Lotion, 12% should be minimized or avoided (see PRECAUTIONSsection). The use of Ammonium Lactate Lotion should be discontinued if hypersensitivity is observed.

Precautions

General

For external use only. Stinging or burning may occur when applied to skin with fissures, erosions or that is otherwise abraded (for example, after shaving the legs). Caution is advised when used on the face because of the potential for irritation. The potential for post-inflammatory hypo- or hyperpigmentation has not been studied.

Information for Patients

Patients using Ammonium Lactate Lotion, 12% should receive the following information and instructions:

  1. This medication is to be used as directed by the physician, and should not be used for any disorder other than for which it was prescribed. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with eyes, lips, or mucous membranes.
  2. Patients should minimize or avoid use of this product on areas of the skin that may be exposed to natural or artificial sunlight, including the face. If sun exposure is unavoidable, clothing should be worn to protect the skin.
  3. This medication may cause transient stinging or burning when applied to skin with fissures, erosions, or abrasions (for example, after shaving the legs).
  4. If the skin condition worsens with treatment, the medication should be promptly discontinued.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

The topical treatment of CD-1 mice with 12%, 21% or 30% ammonium lactate formulations for two years did not produce a significant increase in dermal or systemic tumors in the absence of increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The maximum systemic exposure of the mice in this study was 0.7 times the maximum possible systemic exposure in humans. However, a long-term photocarcinogenicity study in hairless albino mice suggested that topically applied 12% ammonium lactate formulations enhanced the rate of ultraviolet light-induced skin tumor formation. The mutagenic potential of ammonium lactate formulations was evaluated in the Ames assay and in the mouse in vivomicronucleus assay, both of which were negative. In dermal Segment I and III studies with ammonium lactate formulations there were no effects observed in fertility or pre- or post-natal development parameters in rats at dose levels of 300 mg/kg/day (1800 mg/m 2/day), approximately 0.4 times the human topical dose.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic effects

Animal reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 0.7 and 1.5 times the human dose respectively (600 mg/kg/day, corresponding to 3600 mg/m 2/day in the rat and 7200 mg/m 2/day in the rabbit) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to ammonium lactate formulations. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Ammonium Lactate Lotion should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

Although lactic acid is a normal constituent of blood and tissues, it is not known to what extent this drug affects normal lactic acid levels in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Ammonium Lactate Lotion is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of Ammonium Lactate Lotion have been demonstrated in infants and children. No unusual toxic effects were reported.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of Ammonium Lactate Lotion 12% did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

The most frequent adverse experiences in patients with xerosis are transient stinging (1 in 30 patients), burning (1 in 30 patients), erythema (1 in 50 patients) and peeling (1 in 60 patients). Other adverse reactions which occur less frequently are irritation, eczema, petechiae, dryness and hyperpigmentation. Due to the more severe initial skin conditions associated with ichthyosis, there was a higher incidence of transient stinging, burning and erythema (each occurring in 1 in 10 patients).

Overdosage

The oral administration of Ammonium Lactate Lotion to rats and mice showed this drug to be practically non-toxic (LD 50>15 mL/kg).

Ammonium Lactate Dosage and Administration

Shake well. Apply to the affected areas and rub in thoroughly. Use twice daily or as directed by a physician.

How is Ammonium Lactate supplied

225 g (NDC 51672-1300-5) plastic bottle and 400 g (NDC 51672-1300-9) plastic bottle.

Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F)[see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Mfd. by:
Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Brampton, Ontario,
Canada L6T 1C1

Dist. by:
Taro Pharmaceuticals
U.S.A., Inc.

Hawthorne, NY 10532
Revised: July 2022

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 225 g Bottle Label

NDC 51672-1300-5

225 g

Ammonium
Lactate
Lotion 12%*

CONTAINS: *Ammonium lactate equivalent to 12% lactic acid,
cetyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl monostearate, laureth-4, light
mineral oil, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose,
methylparaben, polyoxyethylene 100 stearate, polyoxyl
stearate type II, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified
water, and for pH adjustment: lactic acid.
For Dermatologic Use Only.
Not for Ophthalmic, Oral or Intravaginal Use.
See package insert for full prescribing information.
Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
For lot number and expiry date see below.

Mfd. by: Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6T 1C1
Dist. by: Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
Hawthorne, NY 10532
5230699
0722

Rx only

TARO

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 225 g Bottle Label
AMMONIUM LACTATE
ammonium lactate lotion
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:51672-1300
Route of AdministrationTOPICAL
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
AMMONIUM LACTATE (UNII: 67M901L9NQ) (LACTIC ACID, UNSPECIFIED FORM - UNII:33X04XA5AT) LACTIC ACID, UNSPECIFIED FORM120 mg in 1 g
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE (UNII: 230OU9XXE4)
PEG-100 STEARATE (UNII: YD01N1999R)
POLYOXYL 40 STEARATE (UNII: 13A4J4NH9I)
LAURETH-4 (UNII: 6HQ855798J)
CETYL ALCOHOL (UNII: 936JST6JCN)
LIGHT MINERAL OIL (UNII: N6K5787QVP)
METHYLPARABEN (UNII: A2I8C7HI9T)
PROPYLPARABEN (UNII: Z8IX2SC1OH)
WATER (UNII: 059QF0KO0R)
MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE (UNII: 6M3P64V0NC)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (UNII: 6DC9Q167V3)
GLYCERIN (UNII: PDC6A3C0OX)
Product Characteristics
ColorwhiteScore
ShapeSize
FlavorImprint Code
Contains
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:51672-1300-5225 g in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC; Type 0: Not a Combination Product05/28/2004
2NDC:51672-1300-9400 g in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC; Type 0: Not a Combination Product05/28/2004
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
ANDAANDA07621605/28/2004
Labeler - Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (145186370)
Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.206263295manufacture(51672-1300)