Types Of Topical Medication

A topical medication is a medication that is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes. They come in a broad range of formats, including lotions, creams, gels, pastes, ointments, transdermal patches and powders. They can be applied directly on the skin, on other body surface such as eyes and lastly inhaled.

Topical medication

Topical medication can exhibit either local and/or systemic effect.

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Classification Of Topical Medication

There is no clear classification or distinctions between different types of topical medication.

Cream

They are oil and water emulsion of almost equal proportion. One phase is always slightly higher in proportion than the other. Oil in water creams spread easily, and aren‘t as greasy, while water in oil creams are slightly greasier with a lower melting point, meaning they absorb more rapidly and can better penetrate the outer layer of the skin. Creams always contain emulsifiers that add viscosity. They may also, in some cases, contain preservatives. They are thicker than lotion and maintain its shape when remove from its container. It penetrates the stratum corneum.

Solution

Solutions are very thin, almost-liquid formulas with a base made from oil or alcohol. These are usually a powder dissolved in alcohol, water, and sometimes oil. They generally have low viscosity. They are most often used in sprays, drops, or rinses.

Lotion

Most formulations contain oil and water with an emulsifier, like alcohol, to make the active medical ingredients soluble. They contain less alcohol, are thicker and tend to be more emollient in nature than solution.

Liniment

Liniments are liquid suspensions or dispersions, applied to the skin by rubbing.They usually contain an anodyne (to relieve pain) or rubefacient (to redden the skin).

Spray

Sprays are a solution of one or more drugs in oil or water, administered by atomizers.

Gels

Gels are often a semisolid emulsion and sometimes use alcohol as a solvent for the active ingredient; some gels liquefy at body temperature. They are thicker than liquids. They are relatively transparent, being made from cellulose ethers mixed into a mixture of water and alcohol. Use in the skin fold and hairy part as the alcohol content makes it evaporate.

Ointment

An ointment is a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid preparation, most commonly a greasy, thick oil (oil 80% - water 20%) with a high viscosity. These semi-solid mixtures tend to be greasy and sticky.

Powder

Topical powder medication is either the drug itself as in the case of talcum powder or the drug mixed with a carrier. Popular carrier is corn starch. Some inhalation medications are also powder.

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Paste

Paste combines three agents - oil, water, and powder. It is an ointment in which a powder is suspended.

Transdermal Patches

Transdermal patches have an adhesive base that allow them to stick to the body path such as the upper arm, stomach, thigh, or lower back. Most patches contain time-release mechanisms that allow the skin to absorb small amounts of medication over the course of several hours or days.