Compounding Alcohol Based Sanitizers
As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 wreaked havoc across the globe leading to a shortage of hand sanitizers and other necessary supplies. The formulas shown below from WHO AND USP may be used to compound hand sanitizers by trained compounding personnel.
Formula 1 Requires
Ethanol 96%
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Glycerol 98%
Sterile, distilled or – QS
boiled cold water
Total volume – 10,000 mLs
Final Concentrations For Formula 1
Ethanol 80% (v/v)
Glycerol 1.45% (v/v)
Hydrogen peroxide 0.125% (v/v)
Formula 2 Requires
Isopropyl alcohol 99.8%
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Glycerol 98%
Sterile, distilled or – QS
boiled cold water
Total volume – 10,000 mLs
Final Concentrations For Formula 2
Isopropyl alcohol 75% (v/v)
Glycerol 1.45% (v/v)
Hydrogen peroxide 0.125% (v/v)
Formula 3 Requires
Isopropyl Alcohol 70%
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
Glycerol 98%
Sterile, distilled or – QS
boiled cold water
Total volume – 10,000 mLs
Final Concentrations For Formula 3
Isopropyl alcohol 60% (v/v)
Glycerol 1.45% (v/v)
Hydrogen peroxide 0.125% (v/v)
Calculate the actual amounts required as shown in the course.
In case you’re wondering. Hydrogen Peroxide is used to inactivate bacterial spores in the solution and not used as an antiseptic. Glycerol is used as a humectant for skincare. It prevents the hands from becoming too dry due to the alcohol content.
***Store at room temperature and label “For external use only” and include BUD and the percentage of alcohol the solution contains. BUD should be no more than 30 days from the date it was compounded if it was stored at room temperature. Prepare a master and compounding record(s) as well.
STEPS: (Calculate the appropriate amounts)
1. Add Alcohol 2. Add Hydrogen Peroxide 3. Add Glycerol. Glycerol is viscous and sticks to the wall of the measuring cylinder, it should be rinsed with some sterile, distilled or cold boiled water and then emptied into the bottle/tank.
Top up to the 10-liter mark with sterile, distilled or cold boiled water. Place the lid or the screw cap on the tank/bottle as soon as possible after preparation, in order to prevent evaporation.
Mix the solution by shaking gently. Immediately divide up the solution into its final containers (e.g. 500 or 100 ml plastic bottles), and place the bottles in quarantine for 72 hours before use. This allows time for any spores present in the alcohol to be eliminated.
***If you’ve already purchased the course, check your inbox for how the above amounts were actually calculated.
A payment plan is also available at checkout for the courses listed below.
Register and enroll for the virtual hybrid IV certification course
Register and enroll for the in-person IV certification training (available in FL, CO, TX & TN. Coming soon to CA )
Register and enroll for the standalone online sterile compounding course