Liniments are topical preparations meant for external application that are rubbed on the skin. They come in liquid or semi-liquid forms and contain substances dissolved or suspended in oils, alcohol, or emulsions. Liniments are used for their antipruritic, astringent, emollient, analgesic, rubefacient, and counterirritant properties. There are two main types - alcoholic liniments that penetrate the skin more readily and oleaginous liniments that are milder but better for massage. Examples given are Compound Calamine Liniment for dermatitis and eczema, and Efficascent Oil for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches and pains.

1. LINIMENTS
Prepared by : M .USMAN Tariq
Roll num:16228
Pharm d (Gcuf)

2. Liniments
 Liniments are solutions or mixtures of various substances in
oil, alcoholic solutions of soap, or emulsions and may
contain suitable antimicrobial preservatives.
 These preparations that may be liquid or semi-liquid are
intended for external application and should be so labeled.
 They are rubbed onto the affected area; because of this,
they were once called embrocation. They are applied with
friction and rubbing of the skin, the oil or soap base
providing for ease of application and massage.

3. General uses of Liniments
 Antipruritic - used to relieve itching
 Astringents - causes biological tissue to contract
 Emollients - products that soften skin or treat dry skin
 Analgesics
 Rubefacient-Substance that causes redness (Rubar)
 Counterirritant- an agent applied locally to produce
superficial inflammation with the object of reducing
inflammation in deeper adjacent structures.

4. Liniments
 Only suitable for external use
 That are emulsions or that contain insoluble matter must be
shaken thoroughly before use

5. How Liniments are prepared
 The vehicle should be selected for the type of action
desired (rubefacient, counterirritant, massage) and also on
the solubility of the desired components in the various
solvents
 Prepared in the same manner as solutions, emulsions, or
suspensions

6. There are two types of Liniments:
Alcoholic liniments
 used generally for their
rubefacient,
counterirritant mildly
astringent, and
penetrating effects
 penetrate the skin more
readily than do those with
an oil base.
Oleaginous liniments.
 Milder in their action but
is more useful when
massage is required
 less irritating to the skin,
depending on their
ingredients
 may function solely as
protective coatings.

7. There are two types of Liniments:
Alcoholic liniments
 used generally for their
rubefacient,
counterirritant mildly
astringent, and
penetrating effects
 penetrate the skin more
readily than do those with
an oil base.
Oleaginous liniments.
 Solvent may be a fixed oil
(almond oil, peanut oil,
sesame oil, cottonseed oil)
or volatile substance (
wintergreen oil,
turpentine) or a
combination of fixed and
volatile oil

8. Liniments:
 Liniments should NOT be applied to skin that is
bruised/Broken because excessive irritation might occur.
This application should be marked for “external use only”
 Dermatologist prescribe products of this type but only
those containing the rubefacients are advertised extensively
and used by consumers for treating minor muscular aches
and pains.

9. Examples of Liniments
 Compound Calamine Liniment
 Efficascent oil
 White Liniment

10. Examples of Liniments
 White liniments

11. Formulation
Material Original formular catergory Uses
Oleic Acid 85mL
Turpentine Oil 250mL Corrective Counterirritant
Ammonia solution 45mL Alkalinizing agent provide alkaline
medium
Ammonium
Chloride
12.5g Active ingredient
Purified water 625ml Diluent Primary solvent

12. Procedure
1. Mix oleic Acid with turpentine oil
2. Dilute ammonia solution with 45ml of water, previously
warmed.
3. Add to the oily solution and shake to form emulsion
4. Dissolve Ammonium Chloride in water
5. Add the emulsion.

13. COMPOUND CALAMINE LINIMENT
 USE:
= Soothing application used to treat the discomfort of
dermatitis and eczema.
 APPEARANCE:
= Yellow suspension
 Synonym: Compound Calamine liniment, Applicatio Calamine
Composita

14. EFFICASCENT OIL
 USE:
= For Temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles
and joints associated with:
 Simple Backache
 Arthritis
 Strains
 Sprains
 Counterirritant
 APPEARANCE:
= green clear liquid
 Synonym = methylsalicylate camphor