Lotions are liquid dosage forms for external use. They are generally meant for application to the skin and are applied directly without friction, with the help of some absorbent material such as cotton wool or are charged on to cotton wool or gauze and kept on the needed part of the body. Lotions may be…
Collodions are the liquid preparations meant for external application to the skin. They are easy to apply on small cuts and abrasions. They are used when prolonged contact between the skin and the medicament is required. The vehicle used is volatile and it evaporates on application to skin, leaving a flexible, protective film covering at…
These are aqueous solutions that are instilled into the nose with a dropper. Nasal drops should be isotonic, having neutral pH and viscosity similar to nasal secretions. Use of oily vehicle is restricted, because it inhibits the movement of cilia in the nasal mucosa and if used for long periods, it reaches the lungs and…
These are solutions that are instilled into the ear with a dropper. The solution is generally prepared in water, glycerin or propylene glycol. Ear drops are generally used for cleaning the ear, softening the wax and treating mild infections. However, this may cause inconvenience to patients because they have to lie down or tilt their…
Eye drops are sterile aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions that are used for instillation into the eye. They are applied into the cul-de-sac, the space between the eyeball and eyelid. Eye drops solution should have the following essential characteristics: Preparation of eye drops consists of the following four stages: The preservative is dissolved in…
A douche is an aqueous solution that is administered against a part or into a cavity of the body. It acts as a cleansing agent or antiseptic. Douches are directed to the appropriate body parts by using bulb syringe. They are more frequently dispensed in the form of powder with directions for dissolving in a…
Enemas are solutions intended for introduction into the rectum or colon to cause evacuation of bowel or to bring about local or systemic effects. They are used for diagnostic purpose, especially for X-ray examination of bowel. Enemas are classified into the following five types: Administration of enemas requires the help of trained personnel, a pharmacist…
Throat paints are viscous liquid preparations containing one or more medicaments and are used for throat and mouth infections. They are highly viscous due to their high content of glycerin. They are made viscous so that the drug would remain in contact with the mucus membrane for a longer time period. Throat paints are applied…
Mouthwashes are aqueous solutions, often in concentrated form, containing one or more active ingredients and excipients. Mouthwash is used to enhance oral hygiene. It can be used therapeutically for reducing plaque, gingivitis, dental caries and stomatitis or cosmetically for reducing bad breath through the use of antimicrobial and flavoring agents. Flavors are used in conjunction…
Linctuses are viscous liquid oral preparations that are prescribed for relief of cough. They contain medicaments that have demulcent or expectorant action. Linctuses should be taken in small doses, sipped and swallowed slowly without diluting with water to have the maximum and prolonged effect of medicament. Linctuses normally do not have any major side effects.…