This document discusses semisolid dosage forms such as ointments, creams, and gels. It describes how ointments are used topically or for local/systemic effects. Ointments can be medicated or unmedicated and are prepared by incorporation or fusion methods. Selection of the appropriate ointment base depends on factors like drug stability and skin characteristics. Ointments are packaged and stored properly to protect the product.

1. Semisolid Dosage Forms
Ointments
Pharmaceutics 2 & 3
‫صيدالنيات‬
2
&
3
Unit 1
2015 / second semester

2. • Topical preparations are used for both local
and systemic effects.
• Systemic drug absorption should always be
considered when using topical products if the
patient is pregnant or nursing, because drugs
can enter the fetal blood supply and breast
milk and be transferred to the fetus or nursing
infant.
Semisolid Dosage Forms

3. • A topical dermatological product is designed
to deliver drug into the skin in treating dermal
disorders, with the skin as the target organ.
• A transdermal product is designed to deliver
drugs through the skin (percutaneous
absorption) to the general circulation for
systemic effects, with the skin not being the
target organ
Semisolid Dosage Forms

4. Semisolid Dosage Forms
• Ointments, creams, and gels are semisolid dosage
forms intended for topical application.
• They may be applied to the skin, placed on the surface
of the eye, or used nasally, vaginally, or rectally.
• Most of these preparations are used for the effects of
the therapeutic agents they contain.
• The unmediated ones are used for their physical effects
as protectants or lubricants.

5. OINTMENTS
• Ointments are semisolid preparations intended for
external application to the skin or mucous membranes.
• Ointments may be medicated or not.
• Unmedicated ointments are used for the physical
effects they provide as protectants, emollients, or
lubricants.
• Ointment bases, may by used for their physical effects
or as vehicles for medicated ointments.

6. • OINTMENT BASES:
• Ointment bases are generally classified by the
USP into four groups:
• (a) oleaginous bases,
• (b) absorption bases,
• (c) water-removable bases,
• (d) water-soluble bases.

8. SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE
BASE
• Selection of the base to use in the formulation of an
ointment depends on careful assessment of a number of
factors, including the following:
• • Desired release rate of the drug substance from the
ointment base
• • Desirability of topical or percutaneous drug absorption
• • Desirability of occlusion of moisture from the skin
• • Stability of the drug in the ointment base
• • Effect, if any, of the drug on the consistency or other
features of the ointment base
• • Desire for a base easily removed by washing with water
• • Characteristics of the surface to which it is applied

9. • For example, an ointment is generally applied
to dry, scaly skin; a cream is applied to
weeping or oozing surfaces, and a lotion is
applied to intertriginous areas or where
friction may occur, as between the thighs or
under the armpit.

10. PREPARATION OF OINTMENTS
• Ointments are prepared by two general
methods:
• (a) incorporation
• (b) fusion,
• Depending primarily on the nature of the
ingredients.

11. Incorporation
• The components are mixed until a uniform
preparation is attained.
• On a small scale, as in extemporaneous
compounding, the pharmacist may mix the
components using a mortar and pestle, or a
spatula may be used to rub the ingredients
together on an ointment slab (a large glass or
porcelain plate or pill tile).
• Others will use an ointment mill

12. • Incorporation of Solids.
• When preparing an ointment by spatulation, the
pharmacist works the ointment with a stainless
steel spatula having a long, broad blade and
periodically removes the accumulation of
ointment on the large spatula with a smaller one.
• If the components of an ointment react with
metal (as does iodine), hard rubber spatulas may
be used.

13. • Incorporation of Liquids.
• Liquid substances or solutions of drugs, as
described above, are added to an ointment only
after due consideration of an ointment base’s
capacity to accept the volume required.
• For example, only very small amounts of an
aqueous solution may be incorporated into an
oleaginous ointment, whereas hydrophilic
ointment bases readily accept aqueous solutions.

14. Fusion
• By the fusion method, all or some of the components
of an ointment are combined by being melted together
and cooled with constant stirring until congealed.
• Components not melted are added to the congealing
mixture as it is being cooled and stirred.
• Naturally, heat-labile substances and any volatile
components are added last, when the temperature of
the mixture is low enough not to cause decomposition
or volatilization of the components.

15. PACKAGING, STORAGE,
AND LABELING
• Ointments and other semisolid preparations are packaged
either in large-mouth ointment jars or in metal or plastic
tubes.
• Semisolid preparations must be stored in well-closed
containers to protect against contamination and in a cool
place to protect against product separation in heat.
• When required, light-sensitive preparations are packaged in
opaque or light-resistant containers.
• In addition to the usual labeling requirements for
pharmaceutical products, the USP directs the labeling for
certain ointments and creams include the type of base
used (e.g., water soluble or water insoluble).