For First Year Diploma in Pharmacy ER 2020-2021

1. TOPICAL AGENTS
By: Dr. Kiran B. Dhamak

2. Topical agents: Topical agents are the compounds or preparations that
applied locally on the skin or mucous membrane.
OR
Topical agents are substance applied on body surface, including application
within the body cavities that open to the outside. E.g. oral cavity, vagina,
nose, ear, rectum etc.
Classification:
1. Protectives & Adsorbents: E.g. Talc, Zinc oxide, calamine, zinc stearate, titanium
dioxide, silicon polymers etc.
2. Antimicrobial agents:
a) Compounds acting by oxidation: E.g. hydrogen peroxide, potassium
permanganate,
b) Compounds acting by halogenation Mechanism: E.g. Iodine preparations e.g.
Iodine, povidone iodine, Chlorinated lime, Sodium Hypochlorite
c) Compounds acting by Protein precipitation: E.g. silver nitrate, mild silver protein,
mercury & mercury compounds like yellow mercuric oxide, ammoniated mercury,
Boric acid, borax
3. Sulphur & its compounds: E.g. Sublimed sulphur, precipitated sulphur, selenium
sulphide
4. Astringents: E.g. Alum, zinc sulphate, etc.

3. 1.Protectives and adsorbents:-
Protective are the agents that cover skin or mucous membrane
from possible irritants. They act by forming a coat or film on the skin.
The protective compound must be insoluble in body fluids.
If the compound dissolves then they will not show action.
They should be chemically inert.
Adsorbents :-Some chemically inert substances adsorb dissolved or
suspended particles or gases, toxins etc. are known as adsorbents. They
are used internally to prevent the irritant and unwanted action on
mucous membrane.

4. Antimicrobials and Astringents-
Antimicrobials are the chemical agents used to destroy or inhibit the
growth of pathogenic Microorganisms. Antimicrobial is a broad
terminology describing activity against microbes. Eg:- bacteria, fungi
etc.
Mechanism of action:
Inorganic compounds generally exhibit antimicrobial action by, either
of the three mechanisms viz.
Classification on basis of mechanism of action
1.Oxidation mechanism:-
Hydrogen peroxide,KMnO4
2. Halogenation mechanism:-
Iodine,
3. Protein precipitation:-
Boric acid, borax.
ASTRINGENTS
Astringents are the substances which produce surface or local
protein precipitation action when applied to damaged skin or mucous
membrane.

6. COMPOUNDS ACTING BY OXIDATION MECHANISM
1.Hydrogen peroxide- H2O2
Properties:
Colorless, odourless, transparent liquid with slight acidic taste.
Soluble in water, alcohol and ether.
Storage:-
Dirt and dust catalyzes/accelerate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide hence it
should be stored in tightly closed container.
It is light sensitive and hence light resistant glass container is used.
If it does not contain stabilizer, should be stored in cool place.
Stability:-
H2O2 of high purity is stable however the contamination with traces of divalent and poly
valent ion of chromium ,iron, copper ,mercury etc. will catalyzed the decomposition of
H2O2.
2H2O2 ------ 2H2O + O2(gas).
H2O2 is stable to Aluminium as it does not catalyzes decomposition reaction .therefore
H2O2 should be stored in Aluminium tank.
H2O2 should be protected from direct contact of rubber or some metal.
Acids ,adsorbent ,complexing agents may be used as stabilizer.

7. Uses-
1. Mild antiseptic & astringent.
2. Disinfectant.
3. Cleansing agent for cuts & wounds .
4. 1-6% solution is used in deodorants, Gargles & mouth washes.
5. Antidote in phosphorous & cyanide poisoning.
6. Bleaching agent.
7. Germicidal action
8. Used for removal of wax
Pharmaceutical formulation
Hydrogen peroxide Solution I.P.20 Vol.,100 Vol.
Marketed preparation
Listerine Mouthwash, Hydroxyl mouthwash.

8.  2. POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE (KMnO4)
 Physical Properties
It occurs in the form of deep, dark purple, monoclinic prismatic crystals, It is
odourless and moderately soluble in water.
The taste is sweet and astringent. ,It is stable in air.
Storage :
It should be stored in well closed containers avoiding contact with organic matter.
KmnO4 must be handled with care because dangerous explosions may occur if it
comes in contact with organic sunbstances and oxidisable substances.
It should be stored in well closed container by avoiding contact with organic matter.
USES
1. It is used as local anti infective.
2. It is used as mouthwash and gargle.
3. It is also used as gastric lavage (stomach washout) in the treatment of Narcotic drug
poisoning.
4. It is used as antibacterial, antifungul, germicidal and astringent.
 Pharmaceutical formulation-
 Potassium permanganate tablet for solution, granules,powder.
 Marketed preparation-Listerine Permsol, Koimed tricho-ex

9. COMPOUNDS ACTING BY HALOGENTATION MECHANISM
Bleaching powder /CHLORINATED LIME [Ca(OCl) Cl]
Syn:, Chloride of lime
 Calcium chloro hypochlorite.
Properties-
 It is white powder.
 It is having odour of chlorine, on exposure to air it absorbs
moisture and decomposes by liberating chlorine.
 It is sparingly soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol.
Use:
1. It is used as Antibacterial, disinfectant, deodorant.
2. It is used as bleaching agent.
3. It is used for wound infection.
4. Used for sterilization of water.
Storage:It decomposes even on mere keeping and this decomposition is
accelerated by carbon dioxide ,moisture and sunlight .
It should be stored in air tight containers in cool place protected from light and
moisture.
Pharmaceutical formulation-Granules.
Marketed preparation-Listerine Perms Calcium hypochlorite granules.

10. COMPOUNDS ACTING BY PROTEIN PRECIPITATION
MECHANISM
BORIC ACID
Boric Acid (H3BO3)
Synonyms :- Boracic acid or Orthoboric acid
Properties
 Boric acid is colourless/white crystalline powder.
 It is odourless.
 It is having bitter taste & acidic taste.
 It is stable in air.
 It is soluble in water.

11. Uses of Boric acid—
It is used as buffer to maintain pH.
It is used as dusting powder
It is used as Bacteriostatic and fungistatic
It is used as ANTIINFECTIVE
It is used in preparation of boroglycerine.
Storage-store in air tight containers.
Pharmaceutical formulation-capsule,ear drop,powder.
Marketed preparation-Boric acid ear drop,Boric acid powder,Borospirit ear
drop.

12. SILVER NITRATE (AgNO3)
Properties
 It occurs as white crystalline compound odourless, bitter in taste.
 It is soluble in water and in alcohol.
Storage
 Store in air-tight amber colored glass bottles in cool and dark place.
 Solutions should be stored in alkali-free bottles.
Uses
1.It is used as astringent and antimicrobial agent.
2. At higher concentration it is used as Astringent (1% and above).
3. At very low concentration acts as bacteriostatic (0.0025 to
0.0050%).
4. Silver nitrate ophthalmic solution in 1% strength is used as eye
wash.
5.Dilute solutions used in paints.
6.Its aq.solutions are used in eye lotions.
 Pharmaceutical formulation- Topical ointment 10%,Topical
solution 0.5%,topical stick.
 Marketed preparation- Grafco silver nitrate.

13. IONIC SILVER-
Ionic silver is a solution consisting of water and silver ions.
Uses- It is used as Antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and immune support.
Pharmaceutical formulation- Ionic silver solution
Ionic silver gel.
Ionic silver Cream
Marketed preparation- Silverex ionic cream, Silverex ionic gel,sovereign silver.

14. Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Uses-It is used as mouthwash or oral rinse for treatment of gingivitis.
Pharmaceutical formulation-Chlorhexidine Gluconate mouthwash I.P
Marketed preparation- Paroex,peridex,perichip,PeriGard.