Preparation 8-10

Ointments

• semi-solid preparations intended for external application to skin and mucous membrane

• drug substances delivered in ointments are intended for local action or for systemic absorption

Free from grittiness

when touched it must be fine/smooth

Becomes rancid with time

Due to oxidation of fats that this ointment may contain

Easily Spread

Differ from creams in that ointments have greasy bases.

Emollient

Skin Pliable (soften or smoothen the skin)

Protective Barrier

For medication (treatment for diaper rash or other minor skin irritation such as burns, cuts or scrapes)

Vehicle

In preparing other ointments, like the medicated ointment

Jars

• can easily promote growth of bacteria and increase rancidity

• scraping ointment from the surface

Tubes

• more preferred because it provides less exposure

• allowing escape of ointment from the mouth of the tube

Medicated Ointments

• for treatments of cutaneous/skin diseases

• for both local and systemic effects

• Examples: Sulfur Ointment, Zinc Oxide Ointment, and Compound Resorcinol Ointment

Non-Medicated Ointments

• referred to as “ointment bases”

• used for their physical effects: protectant, emollient or lubricating effect

• used as vehicles in medicated ointments

• Example: White Ointment

Oleaginous Ointment Base/Hydrocarbon Base

• non-water washable, anhydrous, insoluble in water, immiscible with water

• allow the incorporation of only small amounts of an aqueous component

• difficult to remove, remains on skin for long period without drying out

• ointments with these bases act as occlusive dressings and provide prolonged contact of the drug substance with the skin

• do not change physical characteristics upon aging

• Examples: petrolatum, white petrolatum, yellow ointment, white ointment

Absorption Base

• Non-water washable, anhydrous, insoluble in water

• allow incorporation of aqueous solutions

• useful as emollients

• Examples: anhydrous components (e.g. Hydrophilic Petrolatum), W/O emulsions (e.g. Lanolin)

Water-Removable Bases

• readily washed from the skin or clothing with water

• can be diluted with water

• can absorb serous discharges in dermatological conditions

• Example: O/W emulsions (Hydrophilic Ointment)

Water-Soluble Bases

• also known as greaseless ointment bases

• water-washable, can be diluted with water, can absorb serous discharges

• contain no water-insoluble substances like petrolatum, anhydrous

• lanolin, or waxes

• more correctly categorized as gels

• Example: Polyethylene Glycol Ointment

Fusion method

• All or some of the components of an ointment are combined by being melted together and cooled with constant stirring until congealed.

• Heat first the substance with a high melting point like wax and spermaceti using a water bath before adding the soft oleaginous material

Levigation

Process used to reduce the particle size of solids by grinding them with a small amount of liquid.

18.5%

It contains not less than____ of ZnO

21.5 %

It contains not more than___ of ZnO

Category of White Ointment

hydrocarbon base or oleaginous base

Category of Zinc Oxide & Sulfur Ointment

Medicated Ointment

Final Product of White Ointment

It is a white, semisolid preparation that is insoluble in water.

Final Product of Zinc Oxide

It is a white, semisolid preparation.

Final Product of Sulfur Ointment

It is a yellow, semisolid preparation.

9.5%

It contains not less than___ of sulfur

10.5%

It contains not more than___ of sulfur

Spatulation (mechanical)

With geometric dilution technique

Trituration (mechanical)

Using mortar and pestle with levigation; reducing to impalpable powder to reduce grittiness and to form a very smooth nucleus

Incorporation (mechanical)

Of a gummy material; via pulverization by the intervention

Fusion Method

Used in creating white ointment

Mechanical Incorporation

Used in preparing of zinc oxide ointment

Mechanical Incorporation

Used in preparation of sulfur ointment

Precipitated Sulfur

Active Ingredient of sulfur ointment

White Ointment

The hydrocarbon base of sulfur ointment

Mineral Oil

It is the levigating agent of sulfur ointment