This document discusses semisolid dosage forms, which are dermatological preparations intended for external application to the skin to produce local or systemic effects. It describes different types of semisolid dosage forms including ointments, creams, pastes, gels, jellies, poultices, and suppositories. For each type, it covers their physical and physiological properties, common applications, advantages and disadvantages, examples of medicated formulations, and other key details. The document is intended to provide an overview of semisolid dosage forms for dermatological use.

1. SEMISOLID
DOSAGE
FORMS
Presented By:
K. Arshad Ahmed Khan
M.Pharm
Departmernt of Pharmaceutics
RIPER.

2. Semisolid dosage forms are
dermatological preparations
intended to apply externally
on the skin to produce local
or systemic effect.

3. Physical properties
a) Smooth texture
b) Elegant in
appearance
c) Non gritty
d) Non greasy and non
staining
Physiological
properties
a) Non irritating
b) Do not alter
membrane function
c) Miscible with skin
secretion
Application properties
a. Easy applicable with efficient drug release
b. High aqueous washability

4. Semisolids
Ointments Creams Pastes
Gels and
jellies
Poultices Suppositories

5. Ointments
Viscous semi-solid preparations
Used for external or topical application
To skin or to mucous membrane
Usually contain medicament (s)
dispersed in base
Base is always anhydrous
In the form of suspension or solution

6. Advantages:
Site specific application
Convenient for unconscious patient.
Better adhesion and prolonged residence after
application
Chemically stable
Easily handled than liquids
Suitable for bitter tasted drugs
Disadvantages:
Staining by oily ointments
Less dose accuracy
Contamination when applied by finger tip
Bulky to handle than solids

7. Ointment classification:
1.Medicated ointment: contain medicament/
mixture of medicaments with ointment base.
Examples:
1. Antibiotic [Bacitracin,neomycin]
2. Antifungal [Benzoic acid, nystatin]
3. Anti inflammatory [Betamethasone valerate]
4. Astringent [Calamine, zinc oxide]
5. Counter-irritant [Capsicum, oleoresin]
6. Dandruff treatment [Salicylic acid, Cetrimide]
7. Psoriasis treatment[Corticosteroid, Dithranol]
8. Parasiticide [Benzylbenzoate, Sulphur]

8. 2. Non- Medicated ointment:
mixture of ointment bases,
used for emollient
Protective
Lubricating effect on skin.

9. PH201.48 9
Packing of ointments
• Ointment jars
• Made of colorless or colored glass
• Amber colored for light sensitive preparation
• Collapsible tubes
• Made of tin
• Supplied with the applicator

10. PH201.48 10
Containers
Glass & plastic jars
• with screw caps
• with impermeable liners
Fig no.1

11. PH201.48 11
Collapsible tubes (squeeze tubes)
Fig no.2:
Metallic
Plastic
Fig no.3

12. PH 201.54 12
Creams :
 Viscous liquid or semi solid emulsion
 Have lighter body than ointment
 May be o/w or w/o
 Generally used as
• Emollients
• Medicated application to skin

13. PH 201.54 13
Advantages of creams over
ointment
 Easier to spread.
 Due to the presence of water soluble base in o/w type
 Easier to remove from skin and clothing's.

14. Classification of creams:
Creams
Oily
creams
(W/O)
Sterol creams
(wool fat)
Soap creams
(borax soap)
Aqueous
creams
(O/W)

15. PH 201.54 15
Containers:
 Well closed air tight containers
 Plastic or metallic collapsible tubes
 Aluminium tubes are not suitable as they are preserved
with an organic mercury compound.
 Plastic Jars having screw caps with impermeable liners.

16. PH 201.54 16

17. PH 201.56 17
Pastes
 Semi solid preparation meant for external application to
skin
 Differ from ointment in containing large amounts of finely
powdered solids like
 Starch
 Zinc oxide
 Calcium carbonate

18. PH 201.56 18
Pastes
 Presence of finely powdered solid
• Make then quite thick and stiff
• Less greasy
• Less attractive cosmetically
 Easy to stick to diseased areas ( thus reducing
sensitivity reaction)
 They do not melt at ordinary temperature
 Forms a protective coating over the applied area

19. PH 201.56 19
 Smoothen the inflammed and raw surface
 Minimize the damage of scratching in itching
condition (chronic eczema)
Application
 With a spatula
 Or spread on lint or other dressing.

20. PH 201.56 20
Advantages :
 Acute lesions that have a tendency for oozing
 Inflammation, chronic eczema
 Absorbing exudates

21. PH 201.56 21
Disadvantages :
 Not suitable for hairy part of the body and in deep
cuts
( as they are stiff and impenetrable )
 Difficult to remove form hair

22. i. Gels are aqueous colloidal system of
hydrated forms of insoluble medicaments.
ii. Jellies are transparent or translucent non
greasy semisolid and contain more water
than gels.

23. PH 201.59 23
 Semisolid to thick viscous fluids
 Consists of submicroscopic particles
 In rigid or plastic vehicle
 Transparent or translucent
 Non-greasy & mucilage type
 Applied to skin or mucous membrane
Jellies :

24. PH 201.59 24
• Are easy to apply
• Evaporation of water
• Produces a cooling sensation to skin
• Contents remaining stick to the applied area
• Gives protection
• Can be easily removed by wasting with water after
treatment
Jellies

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Based on its application classified into
• Medicated
• Lubricating
• miscellaneous
Types of Jellies

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• Used on mucous membrane for
• Lubrication and antiseptic
• Vasoconstrictor
• Ex: Ephedrine sulphate Jelly
• Contraceptive (spermicidal)
• Ex: Phenyl mercuric Nitrate
1. Medicated Jellies

27. PH 201.59 27
• Must be sterile when inserted into sterile
regions of the body
• Rectal Thermometers
• Urinary Bladders
• Fingerstalls
• Cystoscopes
• Surgical gloves
• Catheters
2. Lubricating Jellies

28. PH 201.59 28
3. Miscellaneous Jellies
• Patch testing
Eg: Used as vehicle for allergens in allergy test
• Electrocardiography
To reduce electrical resistance between skin and
electrode

29. PH 201.62 29
• Defined as wet masses of solid matter
• Applied to skin
• Retain the heat or for their fomentation actions
• Helps reducing inflammation and as counterirritant
• Were used to drain the infectious material from
diseased tissue
• Is an outdated preparation
Poultice or cataplasm

30. PH 201.62 30
• After heating preparation is spread on dressing
• Applied as hot as the patient bear it to the affected
area
Mode of application

31. It is solid or stiffened semi solid dosage form
intended to insertion on body orifices where they
melt, soften and dissolve and exert local or systemic
effect.
Rectal suppositories
Pessaries
Urethral bougies
Nasal bougies
Ear cones

32. Labelling :
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY
Storage :
Store in cool and dry place
Protected from higher temperature or
direct sunlight.

33. Thank you…
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