Creams Flashcards
What is a cream?
As semi-solid emulsion. Dispersed system stabilised using a suitable emulsifier.
What is the consistency of creams?
Soft spreadable consistency
What is the administration of creams?
Topical (external) for application to skin or mucous membrane
O/W cream
Oil in water semi-solid emulsion (Hydrophilic)
W/O cream
Water in oil semi-solid emulsion (Lipophilic)
Hydrophilic (O/W) continuous phase
Water and oil dispersed as droplets in it.
Lipophilic (W/O) continuous phase
Oil and water dispersed as droplets in it.
Hydrophilic cream (O/W) characteristics
- Non-greasy.
- Miscible with skin secretions.
- Water-washable.
- Non-occlusive.
Lipophilic cream (W/O) characteristics
- Somewhat greasy (less so than ointments).
- Less miscible with skin secretions than O/W.
- Less water-washable than O/W.
- Somewhat occlusive (less so than ointments).
Hydrophilic cream (O/W) greasiness
Non-greasy.
Hydrophilic cream (O/W) miscibility with skin
Miscible with skin secretions.
Hydrophilic cream (O/W) water washability
Water-washable.
Hydrophilic cream (O/W) occlusive?
Non-occlusive. (does form a barrier to prevent moisture loss)
Lipophilic cream (W/O) greasiness
Somewhat greasy (less so than ointments).
Lipophilic cream (W/O) miscibility with skin
Less miscible with skin secretions than O/W
Lipophilic cream (W/O) water washability
Less water-washable than O/W
Lipophilic cream (W/O) occlusive?
Somewhat occlusive (less so than ointments)
4 basic components of a cream
– Drug.
– Continuous phase.
– Dispersed phase.
– Emulsifier—stabilise emulsion.
Purpose of emulsifier in liquid emulsions
Allows the droplets to remains as droplets in the cream. Required as the two phases are immiscible.
What other 6 comportment can a cream contain?
- Co-solvent
- Thickener
- Preservative
- Penetration enhancer
- pH regulator
- Antioxidant
Purpose of a co-solvent in a cream
Enhances solubility.
Purpose of a thickener in a cream
Enhances viscosity/stability/release profile.
Purpose of a preservative in a cream
Prevents microbial spoilage.
Purpose of a preparation enhancer in a cream
Enhances drug penetration.
Purpose of a pH regulator in a cream
Adjusts pH, reduces irritation.
Purpose of an antioxidant in a cream
Prevents oxidative degradation.
How to prepare a cream (5)
- Dissolve lipophilic ingredients (molten) in oily phase at minimum temperature necessary.
- Dissolve hydrophilic ingredients in aqueous phase, heat to same temperature as oily phase.
- Mix both phases at same temperature
- Stri until emulsion (cream) is formed
- Incorporate solids by titration
To ensure sufficient dose and even dispersion of ingredients
- Good solubility in either phase.
- Or, incorporate solids homogenously by trituration.
To ensure stable emulsion
– Choice of suitable emulsifiers, commonly amphiphilic surfactants.
– Hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) and Bancroft’s rule.
Purpose of Calamine 4% w/w in Aqueous calamine cream BP
Active ingredient
Purpose of Zinc oxide 3% w/w in Aqueous calamine cream BP
Active ingredient
Purpose of Purified water in Aqueous calamine cream BP
Aqueous phase
Purpose of Cetomacrogol emulsifying wax in Aqueous calamine cream BP
Oily phase
Purpose of Glyceryl monostearate in Aqueous calamine cream BP
Emulsifier
Purpose of Liquid paraffin Aqueous in calamine cream BP
Oily phase
Purpose of Phenoxyethanol in Aqueous calamine cream BP
Preservative
What the way you can check the suitability of an emulsifier?
Bancroft’s rule (HLB value)
Bancroft’s rule
High HLB emulsifier, O/W emulsion.
Low HLB emulsifier, W/O emulsion.
Hydrophilic emulsifier HLB value
High HLB (>10).
Lipophilic emulsifier HLB value
Low HLB (<10).
HLB matching
– Different oils have different HLB requirements for O/W and W/O emulsions.
– Use emulfisier blends if necessary.
– Most stable emulsions contain more than single emulsifier.
HLB
Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance on a scale of 0-20.
How to calc HLB values requirements
Req HLB x Mass % (added together)
How to calc blend of emulsifiers using HLB values
HLB1x + HLB2(1-x)=Req HLB
What is an Emulgel?
Emulsion (O/W or W/O) + gel
Gel is the continuous phase
Emulgel advantages (6)
– Incorporation of poorly water soluble drugs in a water-based formulation.
– Non-greasy.
– Good patient acceptability.
– Dual release control mechanisms.
– Viscous continuous phase enhances emulsion stability.
– Thixotropy enhances spreadability.
Emulgel disadvantages
Entrapment of air bubbles
Polymeric emulsifier (Pemulen)
Cross-linked copolymers:
– Alkyl acrylate (hydrophobic)
– Acrylic acid (hydrophilic)
Alkyl acrylate (hydrophobic) in polymeric emulsifier
integrates in core of oil droplets.
Acrylic acid (hydrophilic) in polymeric emulsifier
forms viscous gel in aqueous continuous phase, de-swells on contact with skin electrolytes to cause rapid release of oil phase.
Polymeric emulsifier (Pemulen) emulsion type
O/W emulsions
Polymeric emulsifier (Pemulen) mucoadhesive?
Helps retain the formulation on mucus membranes
Purpose of Carbomer in double base gel
Gel (Liquid phase)
Purpose of Glycerol in double base gel
Hydroxy donors (help carbomer swell)
Purpose of Phenoxyethanol in double base gel
Antimicrobial preservative
Purpose of Purified water in double base gel
What gel is in
Purpose of Sorbitan laurate in double base gel
Emulsifier
Purpose of Trolamine laurate in double base gel
Hydroxy donors (help carbomer swell)