Topical medication Wikipedia. A medical professional applies nose drops. Instilling eye medication. A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Maximum The Hormone Patch' title='Maximum The Hormone Patch' />Most often topical administration means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes including creams, foams, gels, lotions, and ointments. Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin. Topical medications may also be inhalational, such as asthma medications, or applied to the surface of tissues other than the skin, such as eye drops applied to the conjunctiva, or ear drops placed in the ear, or medications applied to the surface of a tooth. The word topical derives from Greektopikos, of a place. Local versus systemic effecteditThe definition of the topical route of administration sometimes states that both the application location and the pharmacodynamic effect thereof is local. A transdermal patch which delivers medication is applied to the skin. The patch is labelled with the time and date of administration as well as the administrators initials. Maximum The Hormone Patch' title='Maximum The Hormone Patch' />In other cases, topical is defined as applied to a localized area of the body or to the surface of a body part regardless of the location of the effect. By this definition, topical administration also includes transdermal application, where the substance is administered onto the skin but is absorbed into the body to attain systemic distribution. Such medications are generally hydrophobic chemicals, such as steroid hormones. Specific types include transdermal patches have become a popular means of administering some drugs for birth control, hormone replacement therapy, and prevention of motion sickness. One example of an antibiotic that may be applied topically is chloramphenicol. If defined strictly as having local effect, the topical route of administration can also include enteral administration of medications that are poorly absorbable by the gastrointestinal tract. One poorly absorbable antibiotic is vancomycin, which is recommended by mouth as a treatment for severe Clostridium difficile colitis. Choice of base formulationeditA medications potency often is changed with its base. For example, some topical steroids will be classified one or two strengths higher when moving from cream to ointment. As a rule of thumb, an ointment base is more occlusive and will drive the medication into the skin more rapidly than a solution or cream base. The manufacturer of each topical product has total control over the content of the base of a medication. Although containing the same active ingredients, one manufacturers cream might be more acidic than the next, which could cause skin irritation or change its absorption rate. For example, a vaginal formulation of miconazole antifungal cream might irritate the skin less than an athlete foot formulation of miconazole cream. These variations can, on occasion, result in different clinical outcomes, even though the active ingredient is the same. No comparative potency labeling exists to ensure equal efficacy between brands of topical steroids percentage of oil vs water dramatically affect the potency of topical steroid. Studies have confirmed that the potency of some topical steroid products may differ according to manufacturer or brand. An example of this is the case of brand name Valisone cream and Kenalog cream in clinical studies have demonstrated significantly better vasoconstrictions than some forms of this drug produced by generic drug manufacturers. However, in a simple base like an ointment, much less variation between manufacturers is common. In dermatology, the base of a topical medication is often as important as the medication itself. It is extremely important to receive a medication in the correct base, before applying to the skin. A pharmacist should not substitute an ointment for a cream, or vice versa, as the potency of the medication can change. Some physicians use a thick ointment to replace the waterproof barrier of the inflamed skin in the treatment of eczema, and a cream might not accomplish the same clinical intention. Classes of topical medicationseditThere are many general classes, with no clear dividing line between similar formulations. As a result, what the manufacturers marketing department chooses to list on the label of a topical medication might be completely different from what the form would normally be called. For example, Eucerin cream is more appropriately described as an ointment than as a cream. Topical solutioneditTopical solutions can be marketed as rinses, sprays, or drops, and are generally of low viscosity and often use water or alcohol in the base. The solution can cause drying of the skin if alcohol is used in the base. These are usually a powder dissolved in water, alcohol, and sometimes oil. Alcohol in topical steroids can frequently cause drying if it is used as a base ingredient. There is significant variability between brands. There is a risk of irritation, depending on the preservatives and fragrances used in the base. Some examples of topical solutions are given below Aluminium acetate topical solution This is colorless, with a faint acetous odour and sweetish taste. It is applied topically as an astringent after dilution with 1. This is used in many types of dermatologic lotions, creams, and pastes. Commercial premeasured and packed tablets and powders are available for this preparation. Povidone iodine topical solution This is a chemical complex of iodine with polyvinylpyrrolidone, the agent being a polymer having an average molecular weight of 4. The povidone iodine contains 1. This preparation is employed topically as a surgical scrub and non irritating antiseptic solution, with its effectiveness being directly attributed to the presence and release of iodine from the complex. Commercial product Betadine solution. Hormone That Burns Belly Fat After Pregnancy Weight Loss Surgery Diet Hormone That Burns Belly Fat After Pregnancy Alli Weight Loss Discount Coupons Carolina Weight. Vita Patch Garcinia Cambogia Reviews Original 3 Day Diet Plan To Lose 10 Pounds How To Lose 40 Pounds Quickly Vita Patch Garcinia Cambogia Reviews How To Lose Maximum. Lotions are similar to solutions but are thicker and tend to be more emollient in nature than solution. They are usually an oil mixed with water, and more often than not have less alcohol than solutions. Lotions can be drying if they contain a high amount of alcohol. There is a significant variability in the ingredients between different lotions. Shake lotioneditA mixture that separates into two or three parts with time. Frequently an oil mixed with a water based solution needs to be shaken into suspension before use. Shake well before use. A cream is an emulsion of oil and water in approximately equal proportions. It penetrates the stratum corneum outer layer of skin wall. Cream is thicker than lotion, and maintains its shape when removed from its container. It tends to be moderate in moisturizing tendency. For topical steroid products, oil in water emulsions are common. Creams have a significant risk of causing immunological sensitization due to preservatives. It has a high rate of acceptance by patients. There is a great variation in ingredients, composition, p. H, and tolerance among generic brands. Ointmentedit. Metal case for Cruz Roja ointment from Mexico beginning of the 2. Museo del Objeto del Objeto. Skype For Windows 8 Without Microsoft Account. An ointment is a homogeneous, viscous, semi solid preparation, most commonly a greasy, thick oil oil 8. Ointments have a water number that defines the maximum amount of water that it can contain.