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…
Gels are the aqueous colloidal suspensions of the hydrated forms of insoluble drugs. A gel is a solid, jellylike material that has properties ranging from soft and weak to hard and tough. Gels are defined as a substantially dilute cross-linked system, which exhibits no flow when in the steady state. Gels are mostly liquid, but they…
Mixture is a liquid preparation meant for oral administration in which the medicament or medicaments are dissolved or suspended in a suitable vehicle. In general, several doses are dispensed in a bottle. A container with one dose is called “draught.” Mixtures are mainly prescribed for acute conditions such as cough, indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. They…
Suspensions are biphasic liquid dosage forms of medicament in which finely divided solid particles in the range 0.5–5.0 microns are dispersed in a liquid or semisolid vehicle. Suspensions are taken orally or by parenteral route. They are used for both internal and external applications. It is easy to dispense unstable or degradable drugs in suspension…
Linctuses are oral viscous liquid preparations that are generally prescribed for the relief of cough. They contain medicament that has demulcent, sedative, or expectorant action. The usual dose is 5 ml. Linctuses should be taken in small doses, sipped and swallowed slowly without diluting with water to have the maximum and prolonged effect of medicament.…
These are sweetened, flavored hydro-alcoholic preparations usually containing bitter or potent medicaments such as anthelmintics, antihistamines, and sedatives. The alcohol concentration of an elixir is generally between 10% and 40%. Elixirs are clear preparations and are more fluid than syrup because of the use of less-viscous ingredients. They are palatable, and hence, they are often…
Aromatic waters are clear, saturated solutions of aromatic substances, which may be volatile oil dissolved in water. Due to their flavoring properties, they are used as a vehicle for oral liquid preparations. Aromatic waters also have preservative action, due to which they are used as menstrum to extract crude drugs. Aromatic waters have mild therapeutic…