Ointments, Creams, and Gels (Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 11th edition)

Ointments

semisolid preparations intended for external application to the skin or mucous membranes. it may be medicated or nonmedicated

Oleaginous bases

it is also termed as hydrocarbon bases

Oleaginous bases, Water-removable bases, Water- soluble bases, and Absorption bases

what are the 4 groups classified as ointment bases?

Oleaginous bases

a base that has an emollient effect, protects against the escape of moisture, and effective as occlusive dressings

Petrolatum, White petrolatum, Yellow ointment, and White ointment

what are the example of hydrocarbon/oleaginous ointment bases?

Petrolatum

it is a purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum and is also known as yellow petrolatum or petroleum jelly

Petrolatum

it has a yellowish to light amber color and melts at 38 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius

White petrolatum

it is a purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum that has been wholly or nearly decolorized

Yellow ointment

it is also called as a simple ointment made up of yellow wax and petrolatum and has a greater viscosity than plain petrolatum

Yellow wax

purified wax obtained from the honeycomb of the bee Apis mellifera

Hydrophilic petrolatum

have the capacity to absorb up to three times their weight in water and are useful to help incorporate a water-soluble drug

Hydrophilic bases and Lanolin

what are the two examples of absorption bases?

Lanolin, USP

a purified waxlike substance obtained from the wool of sheep that has been decolorized

Water-removable bases

O/W emulsions commonly called creams that can absorb serous discharge

hydrophilic ointment

an example of the water-removable base

water-soluble base

a base that doesn't contain oleaginous components and is referred to as greaseless

Polyethylene Glycol, NF

an example of water-soluble base

ointment

generally applied to dry, scaly skin

cream

applied to weeping or oozing surfaces

lotion

applied to intertriginous areas or where friction may occur

through incorporation and fusion

how are ointments prepared?

creams

semisolid preparations containing one or more medicinal agents dissolved in either a W/O emulsion or in another water-washable base

vanishing creams

O/W emulsions containing large percentages of water and stearic acid or other oleaginous components

soaps

usually formed from a fatty acid in the oil phase hydrolyzed by a base dissolved in the aqueous phase in situ during preparation

gels

semisolid preparations that are sometimes called jellies consisting of dispersions of small or large molecules in an aqueous liquid vehicle rendered jellylike by the addition of a gelling agent