Medicated Applications

• Medicated Applications include Ointments, Cataplasms, Cements, Cerates, Contraceptives, Creams, Dressings, Glycerogelatins, Lamels, and Paste.
• Plasters are solid or semi-solid adhesive masses spread upon an backing material of paper, fabric, moleskin or plastic.
• A camel hair brush is used to apply it on the inner surface of the lower eyelid.
• Pastes are ointment-like preparations which are usually stiffer, less greasy and more absorptive than ointments.
• Applications of plasters include affording protection and mechanical support, furnishing an occlusive dressing and macerating action, and bringing medication into close contact with the surface of the skin.
• Disadvantages of pastes include being less penetrating, less macerating, and cannot be applied to hairy body parts.
• Pastes absorb serous secretions and are preferred for acute lesions having a tendency to ooze.
• The absence of 2 microorganisms - Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Staphylococcus aureus is minimum fill for microbial content in topical preparations.
• Medicinal agents soluble in fat should first be dissolved in a liquefied portion of the base.
• If a large amount of powder is to be added, a part of the base should be melted and rubbed with the powder first, then incorporated with the remaining bases.
• For the preparation of ointments containing an appreciable portion of liquid, a mortar and pestle is best adapted for mixing.
• It is generally undesirable to dissolve a solid that is soluble and crystalline in water as evaporation of some of the water will cause crystallization of the solid in the ointment.
• Alkaloidal bases should be mixed with small amount of oleic acid to form oleases.
• When liquids are to be incorporated they should be added in small portions of the base.
• When an ointment base is prepared by fusion, they should be melted in descending order of their melting points.
• Powder should be thoroughly mixed with the base before use.
• A mixture of agents having solidifying agents differing markedly should generally be stirred while cooling to prevent granulation.
• Agents which may react with each other should be mixed first with separate portions of the base.
• Semisolid preparations are packaged using large-mouth ointment jars or collapsible tubes.
• Solid extracts should be softened with water or dilute alcohol before mixing.
• The net weight/volume of the contents of filled containers is determined in a minimum fill.
• The therapeutically active agents should be mixed with a small portion of the bases and then with other portions until a uniform preparation is obtained.
• They are stored in a well closed container and in a cool place.
• Topical preparations are not required to be sterile but they must meet acceptable standards for microbial content.
• Ointments should always be homogenous, smooth and free from gritiness.
• Labeling of ointments and semi solid preparations follow the general labeling requirements for pharmaceuticals, it must also include the type of base used.
• Lamels or eye disks are small disk (about 3mm in diameter) which are cut or stamped from thin films of glycerinated gelatin containing various medicaments used in ophthalmology.
• Ointments on prescriptions are always directed by weight.
• Cerates are unctuous substances of such consistency that they may be easily spread, at ordinary temperature, upon muslin or similar material with a spatula, and yet not so soft as to liquefy and run when applied to the skin.
• Cerates contain oil, lard or petrolatum for a base, with sufficient beeswax to give the desired consistency.
• Glycerogelatins are first melted prior to application, cooled to slightly above body temperature and applied to the affected area with a soft brush.
• Forms of contraceptives include oral tablets, capsules, diaphragms, suppositories, creams and jellies.
• In removing ointments from the stock jar, always scrape it from the surface.
• Dressings are preparations intended for external applications resembling ointments in consistency but remains semi solid at body temperature.
• Ointments should never be dispensed if they have the slight evidence of rancidity or mold.
• Contraceptives are protection from pregnancy by preventing the passage of active spermatozoa from the vagina in the uterus.
• Water-containing ointments should be of recent preparation, dispensed in moderate amounts in glass containers with good closures.
• Cataplasms are the oldest pharmaceutical preparation made of hot water and linseed meal or other cohesive materials.
• Cerates are used as dressings for inflamed areas.
• Use of spatula or finishing blade for sake of appearance and avoid contact of the ointment with the cap or cap liner.