Sulaimani Polytechnique university

Technical institute of sulaimany

Pharmacy department

Ointment dosage form

Content:
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 Abstract
 Objective
 Definition of ointment
 Application of ointment
 Types of ointment
 Classification of ointment base
 Preparation of ointment
 Incorporation method
 Fusion method

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Abstract:
In this report I write about ointment in detail, definition also types of ointment and
general use of ointment.

Also, how preparation of ointment in laboratory.

Objective:
The objective of this to learn more information about ointment that we need and
this is necessarily for us as a pharmacist, types and how-to preparation also uses I
will talk about these things.

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Definition of ointment:
In medical terms, an ointment is defining as a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid
preparation with a high viscosity, that is used for external application.
An ointment has medicated ingredients which serve a protective, therapeutic, or
prophylactic purpose when applied on the skin or mucous membranes.

Or …………

Ointment is a topical medication applied on the body surfaces. In medical terms, an

ointment is defining as a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid preparation with a high
viscosity, that is used for external application. An ointment has medicated
ingredients which serve a protective, therapeutic, or prophylactic purpose when
applied on the skin or mucous membranes.

Ointments are usually very moisturizing, and good for dry skin. They have a low
risk of sensitization due to having few ingredients beyond the base oil or fat, and
low irritation risk. There is typically little variability between brands of drugs.
They are often disliked by patients due to greasiness.

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Ointment Applications
There are various parts of the body surfaces, skin and mucous membranes where
ointment is applied for curing certain skin or disease conditions. Ointment is
applied on hands, legs, face, eyes, ears, vagina, anus, throat etc. There are various
problems when an ointment is suggested for treatment such as:

    Ointment for burns

    Ointments for cuts
    Ointments for pain
    Ointments for itching
    Ointments for inflammation and pain
    Ointments for boils and scars
    Ointments for skin problems like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

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The various types of ointments are:

MEDICATED OINTMENTS:
These ointments contain drugs which show local or systemic effects. These are of
several sub-types
Dermatologic ointments
Ophthalmic ointments
Rectal ointments
Vaginal ointments
Nasal ointments

UNMEDICATED OINTMENTS:
These ointments do not contain any drugs. They are useful as emollients,
protectants or lubricants.
Example: Petroleum jelly.

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CLASSIFICATION OF OINTMENT BASES:

Four different classes of bases are available: -

Hydrocarbon or oleaginous bases
Absorbent bases
Emulsion bases
Water-soluble bases

HYDROCARBON BASES: 
These are semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum.
Examples: Hard paraffin, yellow soft paraffin, white soft petroleum and gelled
oleaginous vehicle.

ABSORBENT BASES: 
These are hydrophilic mixtures of hydrocarbons and substances with polar groups.
Substances like cholesterol, lanolin, lanosterol etc., may be used in the formation
of absorption bases.
Examples: Hydrophilic petrolatum, hydrous wool fat and oily cream.

EMULSION BASES:
 These are miscible with water and contain oil-in-water emulgents. They can be
easily removed from the skin. They contain surfactants which serve the purpose of
emulgents.
Based on the nature of surfactant present, emulsion bases are of three types.

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(a) Anionic emulsion bases: contains anionic surfactants like sodium lauryl
sulphate.
Examples: Hydrophilic ointment and emulsifying ointment.
(b) Cationic emulsion bases: contains cationic surfactants like cetrimide.
Example: Cetrimide emulsifying ointment.
(c) Non-ionic emulsion bases: contains nonionic surfactants like cetomacrogols.
Examples: Cetomacrogol emulsifying wax.

WATER - SOLUBLE BASES:

 They do not contain oily ingredients and are called greaseless bases. They are
completely soluble in water.
Examples: Polyethylene glycols (PEGs), polyoxin 40 stearate, and polysorbates

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  Preparation of Ointments:

In either large or small-scale production, the manufacture of ointments generally

involves either of two processes—incorporation or fusion.  The objective of both
the methods is to disperse the finely divided or dissolved drug substance uniformly
throughout the vehicle.  The method for a particular preparation depends upon the
nature of the ingredients.

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The incorporation method involves the blending of an ingredient into the vehicle. 
This is done using a glass slab and a pair of spatulas for small volumes or using a
mortar and pestle for larger volumes.  Generally, stainless-steel spatulas should be
used but if the possibility of any interaction exists between the substance and the
spatula blade, hard rubber spatulas must be used.
When solid ingredients are incorporated into a base it is important that the particle
size be as small as possible. Solid chemicals are size reduced by levigation.  This is
a process of reducing a substance to an extremely fine state of subdivision by
rubbing it in a glass mortar using a pestle or on a glass slab with a metal spatula. 
The ingredient can be levigated with a small volume of the base until a smooth,
grit-free paste is prepared.  This is then geometrically diluted with the remainder of
the base.  This procedure is useful with petrolatum or oleaginous bases.
If the compound is water soluble, it is dissolved in water and is incorporated in the
base.  If the base is an anhydrous oleaginous base the liquid is first incorporated
into lanolin and then blended into the oleaginous base to make the final
preparation.  This blending is easily accomplished using an ointment slab and
spatula to levigate the mixture until a homogenous preparation is obtained. 
Compounds such as volatile oils and camphor are first dissolved in a small quantity
of alcohol and then incorporated into oleaginous or emulsion bases.  However, the
alcohol will evaporate and result in depositions of gritty solute on standing. 
Therefore, it is usually best to evaporate the alcohol from the preparation prior to
incorporation into the base.
Large volumes of ointments should be blended in mechanical mixers.  Paint-type
and roller-type mills replace the hand-driven spatula or pestle to ensure a uniform
consistency and homogeneity of ingredients.

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The fusion method is used to incorporate ingredients with solid, hard properties
such as waxes or spermaceti with soft oleaginous bases.  Frequently, all of the
components are combined, melted together, and cooled with constant stirring until
congealing occurs and a homogenous mixture is formed.  When heat-labile
substances are incorporated, those with the highest melting point are usually heated
first and then as the liquid cools the other ingredients are added at temperature a
few degrees above their respective melting points.  This method prevents
decomposition or volatilization of heat-labile substances.  On a small scale, the
fusion process can be conducted in porcelain dishes or glass beakers; on a large
scale it is commonly carried out in large steam-jacketed kettles.  Once congealed,
the ointment may be further levigated on an ointment slab or if a large volume is
being prepared, a commercial mill can be used.

Reference:
 http://www.pharmatips.in/Articles/F-D/Ointment/Introduction-Of-Ointment.aspx
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topical_medication
 http://druginfocentre.blogspot.com/2013/05/ointments.html

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