1. EXTERNAL PREPARATIONS
Ibrahim Abdullah. MSU Pharmacy, Malaysia

2. INCLUDE
Lotion
Liniment
Douche
Enema
Cream, jelly, paste
Ointment

3. LOTION
Low to medium viscosity
Application to unbroken skin
Mostly O/W emulsions
May contain added ingredients
like fragrances, preservatives, stabilizing
agents
Deliver to skin antiseptic, antifungal,
corticosteroids, anti-acne, soothing agent

4. LINIMENT / BALM
Low to medium viscosity (same as lotion)
Applied with friction (always rubbed in)
Common one used to relieve pain and
stiffness (eg LMS)
Formula include easily evaporating solvents
like alcohol and acetone
May be diluted before use (refer instructions)
Not used on sensitive areas
Ibrahim Abdullah. MSU Pharmacy, Malaysia

5. DOUCHE
A device used to
stream water into
body cavity, often
for medical or
hygienic reasons
Usually (though not
exclusively) refers
to vaginal irrigation

6. DOUCHE
May consist of water,
vineger and antiseptic
Unproven benefits ?
Old time – used to
cleanse after
intercourse as a
method of birth
control, though not
very effective

7. ENEMA
Used to introduce
liquids into rectum
and colon via anus
Act directly at site
Used for constipation,
and fecal impaction
Compare this with
suppository (more
preferred?)
Ibrahim Abdullah. MSU Pharmacy, Malaysia

8. ENEMA
Sodium phosphate solution draws
additional water from the bloodstream
into the colon and increases the
effectiveness of the enema, but often
irritating to the colon
Mineral oil, which functions as a lubricant
and stool softener, but side effect of
sporadic seepage from the patient's anus

9. CREAM
Semi-solid emulsions containing suspensions or
solutions of medicinal agents for external application
O/W cream – small droplets of oil dispersed in continuous aqueous phase.
Less greasy
W/O cream – small droplets of water in continuous oily phase. Suitable for
hydrophobic drugs. More moisturising as oily barrier reduces water loss
Will not flow under influence of gravity (high
viscosity)
Soft, easy to apply onto skin
Water-washable

10. CREAM
Ibrahim Abdullah. MSU Pharmacy, Malaysia

11. GEL
Transparent or translucent semi-solids –
thick viscous fluids
Natural gums (tragacanth, pectin) or
synthetics (methylcellulose)

12. PASTE
Semi-solids with high amount
of fine powder medicaments
(high amount of insoluble
solids)
Compared to ointment –
pastes less stiffer, less greasy
Pastes absord serum
secretions – used for acute
lesions which likely to ooze Zinc Oxide paste

13. OINTMENT
Semi-solids, viscous
Ointment based:
Hydrocarbon bases. e.g. hard paraffin, soft
paraffin.
Absorption bases. e.g. wool fat, beewax.
Water soluble bases. e.g. macrogols
200,300,400
Used on many parts of body
including skin, mucus membranes of eyes,
vagina, anus, glans, nose
Ibrahim Abdullah. MSU Pharmacy, Malaysia

14. OINTMENT
Prepared using one of these
methods:
TRITURATION – finely subdivided
insoluble medicaments are evenly distributed
by grinding with a small amount of the base
followed by dilution with gradually increasing
amounts of the base
FUSION – the ingredients are melted
together in descending order of their melting
points and stirred to ensure homogenity

15. TRANSDERMAL
PATCH
Medicated adhesive patch placed on
the skin to deliver a specific dose of
medication through the skin and into
the bloodstream
Advantage – controlled release
Examples: scopolamine (motion
sickness), nicotine patch, estrogen
(menopause)

16. QUESTION TIME
Ask questions through email. Send your questions to:
ibrahim@msu.edu.my
Ibrahim Abdullah. MSU Pharmacy, Malaysia