Ointments

           Ointments

Ointments are semi-solid preparations meant for external application to the skin or mucous membrane. The ointments are mainly used as protective emollient for the skin. They may also be used as vehicles or bases for the topical application of medicinal substances which is dissolved or suspended or emulsified in the base.
Character of ideal ointment

1- chemically and physically stable

2- smooth and free from grittiness

3- melt of soften at body temperature and be easily applied

4- the base should be non irritating and have no therapeutic action

5- the medicament should be finely divided and uniformly distributed inside the base.
Classification of ointments

Can be classified according to:

1- Therapeutic properties based on penetration.

2- Therapeutic uses.
therapeutic Classification according to -Ibased on penetration: properties
1-Epidermic

Not absorbed and Produce their action on the surface of skin.
2- Endodermic

Partially absorbed and release medicament that penetrate into the skin.
3-Diadermic 

Intended to release medicament that pass through the skin and produce systemic effect.
IIClassification according to therapeuticuses:

1-Antieczematous

Remove oozing and excretion for skin.

Contain hydrocorisone, coal tar and icthamol

2- Antibiotic oint

Used to kill microorganism.

Contain tetracycline, neomycin,bacitracin and quaternary ammonium compounds.
3-Antifungal oint.

Used to inhibit or kill fungi. Contain antifungal agents
4- Anti inflammatory oint

Used to inflammatory allergic conditions

Contain corticosteroidds such as hydrocortisone, betamethasone.
5-Antipruitic oint.

Relieve itching, contain benzocaine and coal tar
6-Astringent oint.

They cause the contarction of skin and decrease discharge

Contain calamine, zinc oxide and tannic acid.
7-counter irritant oint

Applied locally to irritate intact skin thus reducing or relive another irritation or deep pain.
 8-Ointment for treatment dandruff

Contain salicylic acid, cetrimide.
9-Emollients

Used to soften the skin, they include soft paraffin, cold cream,W/O emulsion.
10-Keratolytic and keratoplastic oint.

remove or soften the horny layer of the

Keratolytic:skin, they contain material such as resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulphur. increase the thickness of the horny

Keratoplastic: layer of the skin.
ex. Coal tar oint.
11-Parasiticde oint.

Inhibit or destroy living infestation such as lice and ticks. They contain sulphur, benzyl benzoate and gamma benzene hexachloride.
12-Protectant oint.

Protect skin from moisture, air, sun rays, or chemicals. They contain silicon, calamine, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.