SESAME OIL

The major use of sesame oil in pharmaceutical formulations is as a solvent in the preparation of sustained-release intramuscular injections of steroids, such as estradiol valerate, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, testosterone enanthate, and nandrolone decanoate, or other oil-soluble drug substances, such as the decanoates or enanthate esters of fluphenazine. The disappearance of sesame oil from the injection site, following subcutaneous or intramuscular administration to pigs, has been reported to have a half-life of about 23 days. The in vitro drug release rates from oily depot formulations containing sesame oil intended for intra-articular administration have been reported.