Dermatologicals Flashcards
What are main layers of the skin?
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Subcutaneous tissue
What are the layers of the epidermis?
Stated from outermost to innermost layer
- Stratum corneum
- Stratum lucidum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum spinosum
- Stratum basale
Does the epidermis have a blood supply?
No
Does the dermis have a blood supply?
Yes, it is also innervated. Both are important for drug delivery
What layer of the skin attaches to the underlying muscles?
Subcutaneous
What are some characteristics of the epidermis?
Fairly thin, but thickest on the palms and soles
Basic pH (5.5) anti-microbial
Made from keratinocytes (synthesize keratin), melanocytes, and dendritic Langerhans cells (involved in immune signalling)
What are some characteristics of the stratum corneum?
10-15 layers of flattened aneucleated cells
Undergoes desquamation
What are the main functions of the stratum corneum?
- Main permeability barrier of the skin
- Controls percutaneous absorption
What is desquamation?
A process in which the top layers of the stratum corneum are shed away from the skin.
This is a normal process
What are some characteristics of the stratum lucidum?
Flattened, anucleated cells
Cytoplasm is fulled with filaments that allow for the skin to stretch
What are the main functions of the stratum lucidum?
- Responsible for the skin’s ability to stretch
- Contains a protein that is responsible for the degeneration of skin cells
- Lowers the effects of friction on the skin (especially in the soles and palms)
What are some characteristics of the stratum granulosum?
First layer of living cells (and first point where drugs start to interact with the body’s biochemistry (pro-drug into drug))
What is the main function of the stratum granulosum?
It is the site of biochemical activity (drugs can be activated or inactivated)
What are some characteristics of the stratum spinosum?
Contain prickly filaments that are subject to constant pressure and friction
What is the main function of the stratum spinosum?
Helps the skin resist abrasion
What are some characteristics of the stratum basale?
Last layer of epidermis
First layer of nucleated basal cells (undergo mitosis)
Turnover time of 28 days
What is the main function of the stratum basale?
Provides the germinal cells necessary for the regeneration of the layers of the epidermis
What are the most significant differences between the epidermis and dermis?
The dermis contains vascular and neurological supply, while the epidermis does not
The dermis also where follicles root themselves, with the hairshaft growing through the epidermis
The dermis also allows for vasocontriction and dilation to help with heat control
What are the main functions of the dermis?
- Supports the epidermis
- Thermoregulation (vasoconstriction/dilation)
- Aid in sensation
What is the pH of the dermis?
pH 7.2, closer to physiological ranges
What is the significance of the pH difference between the epidermis and dermis?
Epidermis pH: 5.5
Dermis pH: 7.2
Topically applied drugs should be stable within these pH ranges
What are the functions of the subcutaneous tissue?
- Storing energy/insulation (due to fat deposits)
- Connects the dermis (& epidermis) to the muscles and bones
- Serves as a mechanical cushion
What happens to the subcutaneous tissue as we age?
It starts to decrease in size, causing the skin above to sag
What are some challenges presented by the epidermis to drug delivery?
The stratum corneum is the major rate-limiting barrier to transdermal drug delivery
Topical agents are subject to the enzymatic activation or deactivation of drugs as they pass through the stratum germinativum.
Immune cells present in the epidermis can also destroy active ingredients
What are the advantages of subcutaneous administration vs. IM?
Subcutaneous tissue has fewer blood vessels, allowing for a more gradual rate of absorption (depot effect)
What happens to a topical drug once it reaches the dermis?
It can be absorbed into the systemic circulation
What are some frequently treated skin conditions?
- Acne
- Cold Sores
- Dermatitis
- Common warts
- Psoriasis
- Tinea capitis
- Photoallergic reactions
- Fungal skin infections
What are some important aspects that must be considered when developing a topical dosage form?
- Pathophysiology of the disease condition
- Active ingredient characteristics
- Intended therapy (localized vs. systemic)
- Vehicle/drug delivery system
What are some physicochemical criteria for a good topical dosage form?
- Stability of active ingredient and adjuvants
- Consistency and extrudability
- Prevention of water loss or volatile compounds
- Phase changes (homogeneity, phase separation)
- Particle size and distribution of the dispersed phase
- Apparent pH
What are some factors that affect drug bioavailability in topical dosage forms?
- Skin disease or condition
- Rate of drug release
- Promotion of percutaneous absorption
- Requirement for occlusion
- Short- and long-term stability of the drug in ointment base
- Influence of the drug on the consistency of the base
What are the different types of ointment bases?
- Hydrocarbon bases
- Absorption bases
- Emulsifying bases
- Water soluble bases
What are the different types of creams?
Oil in water (O/W) emulsions
Water in oil (W/O) emulsions
What is the definition of an ointment?
Contains less than 20% water and volatiles, and more than 50% of hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyethylene glycols
What is the definition of a cream?
An emulsion semi-solid dosage form that contains more than 20% water and volatiles, and less than 50% of hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyethylene glycols
What are some characteristics of ointments?
Semi-solid greasy preparations
Mostly anhydrous, but may contain dissolve or dispersed active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)
What are some charcteristics of creams?
Semi-solid preparations that contain both oil phase and water
What is the main distinction between ointments and creams?
Ointments have little amounts of water, unlike creams. Creams have a varying amounts of water
How can dermatological vehicles (bases) be divided into two main groups?
- Non water-washable bases
- Water washable vehicles
Which dermatological bases are non water-washable bases?
- Oleaginous/Hydrocarbon bases
- Absorption bases
- Water in oil (W/O) emulsions
Which dermatological bases are water washable vehicles?
- Oil in water (O/W) emulsions
- Gels
- Hydrophillic base
- Emulsifying base
Review slide 41 for a review of dermatological bases
Review slide 42 for modification of dermatological bases
What are some properties of Oleaginous bases?
- Hydrophobic
- Greasy
- Non-water washable
- Occlusive
What is occlusion?
It is formation of an impermeable layer on the skin to prevent evaporation of water
What are the benefits of good occlusive character?
- Increased hydration (prevent evaporation of water from skin)
- Enhanced percutaneous absorption due to increased retention on skin
Are oleaginous bases preferred for widespread use on the skin?
Despite its good occlusive charcacter, it is too much of a good thing for application on large areas
Oleaginous bases can be too greasy and are uncomfortable
What are some advantages of oleaginous bases?
- Very stable vehicles
- Non-irritating
- Non-sensitizing
- High compatibility with drugs
What are some the disadvantages of oleaginous bases?
- Greasiness
- Stain clothing
- Difficult to remove
- Low patient acceptance (emulsion bases are more preferred)
What are some common ingredients of oleaginous bases?
- Fats and fixed oils
- Penetration enhancers
- Levigating agent
- Antimicrobial preservatives (not commonly used in extemporaneous compounding)
What is the mechanism of action of penetration enhancers?
Fluidization of stratum corneum lipids. This increases the permeability and absorption of drug into skin