Paints are solutions or dispersions of one or more medicaments intended for application to the skin or, in some cases, to the mucous membrane. They contain a volatile solvent, which evaporates quickly to leave a dry or resinous film of drug. Throat paints are more viscous due to their high content of glycerin. They are…

Liniment is a viscous, medicated topical preparation for application to the skin. It is always applied with friction on unbroken skin. A liniment is an external tincture and is to be rubbed onto sore muscles and sprains. It is usually prepared with isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. It is a solution or mixture of various…

Enemas are aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions that are employed to evacuate the bowel or for cleansing, therapeutic, and diagnostic purposes. Enemas are usually warmed to body temperature and are administered slowly. They should be stored in a cool place and in complete darkness. An expiry date of only two days after issue is advisable.…

A suppository is a solid or semisolid mass meant to be inserted into any of the body orifices such as rectum, vagina, ear, nasal, and urethra to provide either local or systemic effect. They are designed to soften and melt or to dissolve or disintegrate at the body temperature. Suppositories provide systemic effect when used…

Jellies are transparent or translucent nongreasy, semisolid preparation meant for external application to the mucus membrane. They are prepared from natural gums, such as tragacanth, pectin, sodium alginates, or from semisynthetic derivatives such as methyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. There are three types of jellies, namely medicated jellies containing water soluble drugs, lubricating jellies,…

Pastes are semisolid preparations intended for external application on the skin. They are generally very thick and stiff. They do not melt at ordinary temperature and thus form a protective coating over the area where they are applied. Pastes are used as antiseptic, protective, or soothing dressings, which are often spread on lint before being…

Creams are viscous emulsions or semisolid preparations consisting of solutions or dispersions of one or more medicaments in suitable base and are intended for application to the skin or mucous membrane. Creams are applied for protective, beautifying, therapeutic, or prophylactic purposes. They contain suitable antimicrobial preservatives to have sufficient intrinsic bactericidal and fungicidal activity. Creams are…

Ointments are semisolid preparations for application to the skin or mucous membranes. They are often anhydrous and contain the medicament either dissolved or dispersed in the vehicle. The solid substances that are dispersed should be in the form of a micronized powder. Ointments are easily spreadable and their plastic viscosity may be controlled by modifications…

Collodions are liquid preparations for external application to the skin. They are applied to cuts and abrasions. They are also used when prolonged contact between the skin and the medicament is required. Volatile vehicle is used in collodions that evaporate on application to skin, leaving a flexible, protective film covering at the site of application.…

Emulsion is a heterogeneous system consisting of one immiscible liquid dispersed in another in the form of droplets whose diameter in general exceeds 0.1 micron. Such system possesses minimal stability because the droplets quickly coalesce and the two liquids get separated. The stability of the emulsion is increased by adding another substance known as the…