Oleyl alcohol is a monounsaturated fatty alcohol produced by the reduction of oleic acid .1 Topical application of an oleyl alcohol (5% w/w), propylene glycol, and Carbopol® 940 gel containing the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) piroxicam enhances piroxicam absorption into isolated rat abdominal skin compared to a control gel not containing oleyl alcohol.2 Oleyl alcohol also increases naloxone penetration into isolated postmortem human skin when applied at a 10% concentration.3
1.Klonowski, R.S., Findley, T.W., Josefson, C.M., et al.Oleyl alcohol from animal fats by catalytic reductionJ. Am. Oil Chem. Soc.47326-328(1970) 2.Santoyo, S., Arellano, A., Ygartua, P., et al.Penetration enhancer effects on the in vitro percutaneous absorption of piroxicam through rat skinInt. J. Pharm.117(2)219-224(1995) 3.Aungst, B.J., Rogers, N.J., and Shefter, E.Enhancement of naloxone penetration through human skin in vitro using fatty acids, fatty alcohols, surfactants, sulfoxides and amidesInt. J. Pharm.33(1-3)225-234(1986)