Ointment

Medical ointments are applied topically to various body parts. Significant quantities of these are washed down the drain via bathing and hand washing following application. Toxic chemicals contained in these include aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. I32l 

Semi-solids and gels have tan 3 i (usually in the region of 0.2 or even lower for ointments and 0.2-0.4 for creams and gels). 

Several ointments are used in topical formulations For skin applications and for ophthalmic use. As mentioned before, ointments used for skin applications are single-phase systems containing paraffin, Vaseline, vegetable oils and fats and waxes. The drug can be simply incorporated in these systems. 

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Petroleum wax is used in the manufacture of candles, polishes, ointments and for waterproofing purposes. Waxes are also used as a cracking feedstock for the production of 1-alkene.s for conversion to detergents. 

Zinc carbonate and zinc oxide are constituents of calamine lotion. Zinc oxide, an antiseptic, is present in zinc ointment and in cosmetic powders. 

Vaseline, Castor oil, Olivo oil, Sal volatile, Boracic acid powder, Sodium bicarbonate powder, Chloramiue-T powder. Sulpha-pyridine powder, Butesin picrate ointment. 

Burns caused by dry heat (e.g., by flames, hot objects, etc.). For slight bums in which the skin is not broken, apply tannic acid jelly ( Tannafax ), acriflavine jelly ( Bumol ) or butesin picrate ointment (butesin is re-butyl J aminobenzoate). 

Bromine on the skin. Wash the aflected part immediately with a liberal supply of light petroleum, b.p. 80-100°, and then rub glycerine well into the skin. After a little time remove the superficial glycerine and apply acriflavine jelly or butesin picrate ointment. 

The amount of camphor in an analgesic ointment can be determined by GC using the method of internal standards. " ... 

After heating to 50 °C in a water bath, the sample was cooled to below room temperature and filtered. The residue was washed with two 5-mL portions of CCI4, and the combined filtrates were collected in a 25-mL volumetric flask. After adding 2.00 mL of the internal standard solution, the contents of the flask were diluted to volume with CCI4. Analysis of an approximately 2- tL sample gave LfD signals of f3.5 for the terpene hydrate and 24.9 for the camphor. Report the %w/w camphor in the analgesic ointment. 

White pine White rust White s agar White Shoulders White smoke Whitewares Whitewash White water Whitfield s Ointment... 

Compressed gas systems were originally developed simply to provide a means of expelling a product from its container when the valve was depressed. SemisoHd products such as a cream, ointment, or caulking compound are dispensed as such. A Hquid concentrate and a compressed gas propellant (Fig. 3) produce a spray when a mechanical breakup actuator is used. Nitrogen, insoluble in most materials, is generally used as the propellant. 

Primary human skin irritation of tetradecanol, hexadecanol, and octadecanol is nil they have been used for many years ia cosmetic creams and ointments (24). Based on human testing and iudustrial experience, the linear, even carbon number alcohols of 6—18 carbon atoms are not human skin sensitizers, nor are the 7-, 9- and 11-carbon alcohols and 2-ethylhexanol. Neither has iudustrial handling of other branched alcohols led to skin problems. Inhalation hazard, further mitigated by the low vapor pressure of these alcohols, is slight. Sustained breathing of alcohol vapor or mist should be avoided, however, as aspiration hazards have been reported (25). 

Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals. The main use of hexadecanol (cetyl alcohol) is in cosmetics (qv) and pharmaceuticals (qv), where it and octadecanol (stearyl alcohol) are used extensively as emoUient additives and as bases for creams, Hpsticks, ointments, and suppositories. Octadecenol (oleyl alcohol) is also widely used (47), as are the nonlinear alcohols. The compatibiHty of heavy cut alcohols and other cosmetic materials or active dmg agents, their mildness, skin feel, and low toxicity have made them the preferred materials for these appHcations. Higher alcohols and their derivatives are used in conditioning shampoos, in other personal care products, and in ingested materials such as vitamins (qv) and sustained release tablets (see Controlled RELEASE technology). 

The esters of monofluorophosphoric acid are of great interest because of their cholinesterase inhibiting activity which causes them to be highly toxic nerve gases and also gives them medical activity (see Enzyme inhibitors). The most studied is the bis(l-methylethyl)ester of phosphorofluoridic acid also known as diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate [155-91 DFP (5), and as the ophthalmic ointment or solution Isoflurophate USP. It is used as a... 

Yellow mercuric oxide may be obtained by precipitation from solutions of practically any water-soluble mercuric salt through the addition of alkah. The most economical are mercuric chloride or nitrate. Although yellow HgO has some medicinal value in ointments and other such preparations, the primary use is as a raw material for other mercury compounds, eg, Millon s ha.se[12529-66-7], Hg2NOH, which is formed by the reaction of aqueous ammonia and yellow mercuric oxide. 

Galen, a physician whose views outUved him by about a thousand years, died about 200 AD. He beUeved that mercurials were toxic, and did not use any mercury compound therapeutically. However, as a result of Arabian influence, the therapeutic uses of mercury were slowly recognized by Western Europe. In the thirteenth century mercury ointments were prescribed for treating chronic diseases of the skin. Mercury and its compounds, such as mercurous chloride, mercuric oxide, mercuric chloride, and mercuric sulfide, were used widely from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, and to some extent in the twentieth century. During the first half of the twentieth century, the primary therapeutic uses of mercury included bactericidal preparations, such as mercuric chloride, mercuric oxycyanide, and mercuric oxide and diuretics, such as aryl HgX (Novasural) and mercurated ahyl derivatives (14). 

Ophthalmic Dosage Forms. Ophthalmic preparations can be solutions, eg, eye drops, eyewashes, ointments, or aqueous suspensions (30). They must be sterile and any suspended dmg particles must be of a very fine particle size. Solutions must be particle free and isotonic with tears. Thus, the osmotic pressure must equal that of normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) solution. Hypotonic solutions are adjusted to be isotonic by addition of calculated amounts of tonicity adjusters, eg, sodium chloride, boric acid, or sodium nitrate. 

Ophthalmic ointments usually contain petrolatum as the base. The petrolatum is sterilized by dry heat and combined with the sterile dmg powder under aseptic conditions. Ophthalmic suspensions contain very fine (- 10 ji) particle sized soHds suspended in an aqueous vehicle. The vehicle is adjusted to isotonicity and viscosity-increasing excipients, chelating agents, and surfactants also may be needed. The aqueous vehicle in these cases is generally autoclaved and mixed with sterile dmg powder asceptically (30). 

Many patents have been issued on the use of pyrogaUol derivatives as pharmaceuticals. PyrogaUol has been used extemaUy in the form of an ointment or a solution in the treatment of skin diseases, eg, psoriasis, ringworm, and lupus erythematosus. GaUamine triethiodide (16) is an important muscle relaxant in surgery it also is used in convulsive-shock therapy. Trimethoprim (2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine) is an antimicrobial and is a component of Bactrin and Septra. Trimetazidine (l(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)piperazine (Vastarel, Yosimilon) is used as a coronary vasodilator. l,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-l-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-9JT-pyrido[3,4- ]indole hydrochloride is useful as a tranquilizer (52) (see Hypnotics, sedatives, ANTICONVULSANTS, AND ANXIOLYTICS). Substituted indanones made from pyrogaUol trimethyl ether depress the central nervous system (CNS) (53). Tyrosine-and glycine(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzyl)hydrazides are characterized by antidepressant and anti-Parkinson activity (54). 

Lidocaine hydrochloride [73-78-9] (Xylocaine), is the most versatile local anesthetic agent because of its moderate potency and duration of action, rapid onset, topical activity, and low toxicity. Its main indications are for infiltration, peripheral nerve blocks, extradural anesthesia, and in spinal anesthesia where a duration of 30 to 60 min is desirable. Because of its vasodilator activity, addition of the vasoconstrictor, epinephrine, increases the duration of action of Hdocaine markedly. It is also available in ointment or aerosol preparations for a variety of topical appHcations. 

Over 68 aerosol products containing isopropyl alcohol solvent have been reported (145). Aerosol formulations include hair sprays (146), floor detergents (147), shoe poHshes (148), insecticides (149,150), bum ointments (151), window cleaners, waxes and poHshes, paints, automotive products (eg, windshield deicer), insect repellents, flea and tick spray, air refreshers, disinfectants, veterinary wound and pinkeye spray, first-aid spray, foot fungicide, and fabric-wrinMe remover (152) (see Aerosols). 

Sahcyhc acid USP, EP, and other pharmacopeia grades are used medically as antiseptic, disinfectant, antifungal, and keratolytic agents. Sahcyhc acid is formulated in lotion or ointment formulations for the treatment of dandmff, eczema, psoriasis, and various parasitic skin diseases. Because the keratolytic property of this aromatic acid has use in the safe removal of dead skin cells from the surface of healthy skin, the acid is used in concentrated sahcyhc acid solutions or suspensions to remove warts and corns. In more dilute form, sahcyhc acid preparations have found use in dandmff and eczema treatment. Sahcyhc acid has been considered and found effective by the Advisory Committees to the FDA in various over-the-counter (OTC) dmg regulated uses. Among these are acne products, dermatitis, dry skin, dandmff and psoriasis products, and foot care products (24). 

As a pharmaceutical, methyl salicylate is used in liniments and ointments for the relief of pain and for rheumatic conditions. As a flavor and fragrance agent, it is used in confectioneries, dentifrices, cosmetics, and perfumes. Other commercial applications for methyl salicylate are as a dye carrier, as a uv-light stabilizer in acrylic resins, and as a chemical intermediate. The May 1996 price was 5.50/kg (18). 

Sorbitan sesquioleate emulsions of petrolatum and wax are used as ointment vehicles in skin treatment. In topical appHcations, the inclusion of both sorbitan fatty esters and their poly(oxyethylene) derivatives modifies the rate of release and promotes the absorption of antibiotics, antiseptics, local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, and other medications from suppositories, ointments, and lotions. Poly(oxyethylene(20)) sorbitan monooleate, also known as Polysorbate 80 (USP 23), has been used to promote absorption of ingested fats from the intestine (245). 

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