Pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) is an emulsion that has the appearance and texture of a gel. It is a thermoreversible gel that is liquid at low temperatures (as in a refrigerator) and becomes more solid as the temperature increases (such as room temperature or body temperature). It is this property that makes it useful for many different applications, such as wound care and transdermal drug delivery.

PLO works by disrupting the lipid layers of the stratum corneum without damaging them, as do harsher agents like DMSO. PLO allows the medication to slip through the stratum corneum into the systemic circulation via the dermal-epidermal blood flow.

One of the newest applications for the use of one of the components of PLO gel is in patients with chronic sinusitis and those who have undergone sinus surgery. The gel is compounded with the doctor's choice of medication (Usually an antibiotic, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory agent), and is instilled directly into the patient's sinus cavity. It then slowly releases into the tissue over a peroid of 3-5 days. Many physicians are prescribing these gels to be used pre- and post-surgery. In animal studies , PLO gels were found to improve drug contact within the frontal sinus, while limiting the inflammatory response. They also observed that this vehicle had the benefit of improved handling as a result of its thermoreversible properties.*

For more information on the many uses and benefits of PLO gels, please contact one of our knowledgeable pharmacists at our nearest location, or  CLICK HERE.