Ointments & Veterinary Compounding

Question 1

When is compounding needed for animals:

Answer 1

1. administration issues (dosage forms inappropriate, taste issues, mixing multiple meds = easier admin)
2. customize dosages
3. avoid toxicities from excipients in commercially available products

Question 2

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA 1996)

Answer 2

prohibited drug use in food producing animals that would result in drug residues in the human food chain
banned use of : chloramphenicol, diethylstilbesterol, fluoroquinolones in food producing animals –> all can be toxic to humans consuming these animals

Question 3

always consider the _____ of the animal

Answer 3

use!
- companion
- performance/working
- food-producing

Question 4

ointments

Answer 4

semi-solid preparation for EXTERNAL application to skin/mucous membranes
(paste, gel, plasters)

Question 5

ointment uses: (3)

Answer 5

1. protect skin/mucous membrane
2. provide skin hydration (emollient)
3. vehicle for medication (local effect or systemic effect)

Question 6

How to choose the ointment BASE (3)

Answer 6

consider:
- the use of the ointment
- properties of the incorporated medication (water soluble? not?)
- area of application

Question 7

levigation

Answer 7

reduces particle size by triturating in a mortar with a small amount of liquid solvent (in which the solid is NOT soluble)

Question 8

levigating agents

Answer 8

make it easier to incorporate solids into semisolid ointment bases –> resulting in smooth preparations

Question 9

levigating agents are NOT required when

Answer 9

solid being incorporated is composed of very FINE particles, SMALL in quantity, ointment base is SOFT, or if ointment intended to be STIFF paste

Question 10

solid powder must be ______ in levigating agent

Answer 10

insoluble

Question 11

How to choose a levigating agent:

Answer 11

1. chemically similar to ointment base
2. always use minimal amount

Question 12

dissolution

Answer 12

dissolve solid ingredient into solvent before incorporation into ointment base

Question 13

solid powder must be ____ in dissolution solvent

Answer 13

soluble

Question 14

when to use dissolution for powders

Answer 14

when solid is hard to incorporate

Question 15

How to incorporate liquid into ointment

Answer 15

place base on ointment slab —> create depression –> pour liquid into depression –> spatulate small portions of liquid into base

Question 16

1 oz = ___ g

Answer 16

1 oz = 28.35 g

Question 17

BUD for ointments

Answer 17

180 days (6 months)

Question 18

ointment counseling points

Answer 18

1. external use only
2. keep out of reach of children

Question 19

Ideal properties of ointments (7)

Answer 19

1. spreads easily
2. compatible with topical administration
3. stable
4. smooth/pliable
5. softens/melts at body temperature
6. readily releases medication
7. easily removed, doesn’t stain skin/clothing

Question 20

drug release and penetration in to the skin from an ointment is a function of … (5)

Answer 20

1. amount of pressure
2. surface area covered
3. condition of the skin
4. base used
5. use of occlusive dressing

Question 21

for ointments containing 3 or more ingredients….

Answer 21

add ingredients sequentially to base —- do not mix ingredients together 1st if you have 3 or more — instead add each ingredient to base one at a time

Question 22

5 types of ointment bases

Answer 22

1. hydrocarbon/oleaginous
2. anhydrous
3. water-in-oil emulsions
4. oil-in-water emulsions
5. water soluble

Question 23

Hydrocarbon/Oleaginous bases:
- examples
- drug release potential
- uses

Answer 23

ex. white petrolatum
poor drug release
uses: protectants, emolliants, vehicles for hydrolyzable drugs

Question 24

Anhydrous bases:
- examples
- drug release potential
- uses

Answer 24

ex. aquaphor, aquabase, polysorb
poor drug release (better than hydrocarbon/oleaginous)
uses: protectants, emollients, vehicles for aqueous solutions/solids/non-hydrolyzable drugs

Question 25

water/oil emulsion bases:
- examples
- drug release potential
- uses

Answer 25

ex. eucerin
fair to good drug release
uses: emollients, cleansing creams, vehicles for solid/liquid/non-hydrolyzable drugs

Question 26

oil/water emulsion bases:
- examples
- drug release potential
- uses

Answer 26

ex. dermabase, unibase
fair to good drug release
uses: emollients, vehicles for solid/liquid/non-hydrolyzable drugs

Question 27

water-soluble bases:
- examples
- drug release potential
- uses

Answer 27

ex. PEG ointment, Polybase
good drug release
uses: drug vehicles

Question 28

Anhydrous vs. Hydrous bases

Answer 28

anhydrous - not as washable, spread less
hydrous - better drug release / less protective effect

Question 29

levigation vs. dissolution

Answer 29

levigation
- levigate powder in minimal amount of base or mineral oil (NOT soluble)

dissolution
- dissolve powder in minimal amount of dH2O –> then incorporate in minimal amount of absorption base –> then incorporate into ointment base