Introduction of Ointment

By: Pharma Tips | Views: 19530 | Date: 21-Jul-2011

Types of Ointments Bases.Ointment Applications,List of Ointments

Ointment is a a topical medication applied on the body surfaces. In medical terms, an ointment is defines as a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid preparation with a high viscosity, that is used for external application. An ointment has medicated ingredients which serve a protective, therapeutic, or prophylactic purpose when applied on the skin or mucous membranes .

Types of Ointments Bases
The medicated stuff or the ingredients present inside the ointment is actually the main base of ointments. There are 4 main ointment bases:

    Hydrocarbon bases, e.g. hard paraffin, soft paraffin, microcrystalline wax and ceresine
    Absorption bases like as wool fat, beeswax
    Water soluble bases like as macrogols 200, 300, 400
    Emulsifying bases like as emulsifying wax
    Vegetable oils like as coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil, almond oil and peanut oil.

Ointment Applications
There are various parts of the body surfaces, skin and mucous membranes where ointment is applied for curing certain skin or disease conditions. Ointment is applied on hands, legs, face, eyes, ears, vagina, anus, throat etc. There are various problems when an oitment is suggested for treatment such as

    Ointment for burns
    Ointments for cuts
    Ointments for pain
    Ointments for itching
    Ointments for inflammation and pain
    Ointments for boils and scars
    Ointments for skin problems like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

List of Ointments
An ointment may or may not be medicated. Some are easily over the counter while are some are prescribed by the doctor. Since they are very moisturizing, they are good for dry skin. Ointments also have a low risk of sensitization and low irritation risk. There is typically little difference between brands of generics and namebrand drugs. Some popular ointments are listed below:

    Betamethasone
    Clotrimazole Cream
    Norfloxacin
    Soframycin
    Ciprofloxacin
    Ketoconazole
    Ofloxacin
    Tobramycin + Dexamethasone
    Povidone-Iodine
    Diclofenac
    Polymyxin-B

Disclaimer:The above information is for general understanding of the visitor. Please consult a registered medical practitioner before taking the aforesaid medicine.

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