Pharma Flashcards
What is a vehicle (topical therapies)
A substance without therapeutic action that is combined with a drug to aid administration
Examples of vehicles (topical therapy)
Cream
Ointment
Gel
Lotion
Paste
Cream definition
A semisolid émulsion of oil and water
Pros of creams
- moisturising
- cooling
- contain emulsifier + preservatives
- non greasy
- easy to apply
- cosmetically acceptable
- high water content
What are ointments
A semisolid of grease/oil
Features of ointments
- don’t contain preservatives
- occlusive/restrict transepidermal water loss
- greasy (less cosmetically acceptable)
What are gels
Thickened aqueous lotion
Semi solids containing high molecular weight polymers (eg. Methyl cellulose)
Features of gels
- liquify when they touch the skin leaving a thin layer of the drug
- cosmetically acceptable
- useful for areas with lots of hair (eg. Scalp and face)
What are lotions
Suspensions or solutions of a drug in water, alcohol or another liquid
Features of lotions
- useful for areas with lots of hair (eg. Scalp and face)
- may sting and/or dry skin if containing alcohol
What are pastes
A semisolid containing finely powdered material (eg. Zinc)
Features of pastes
- protective, occlusive and hydrating
- often used for skin conditions needing soothing, cooking and or drying
-greasy - stiff and difficult to apply
ANTIVIRAL DRUGS
- Used to treat?
- What form they come in
- What about extensive/aggressive problems
- Herpes simplex/ Zoster viruses
- cream (for face) or ointment (for genital lesions)
- oral antivirals may be needed (eg shingles)
ANTISEPTICS
- What group of substances do they belong to?
- What are they used for
- biocides
- infection control - to prevent antimicrobials from entering skin through wounds and/microabrasions(eg.surgery)
TOPICAL ANTIFUNGALS
- used for?
- what is used in extreme cases (eg. Immunosuppresseurs or extensive infection)
- which drugs are better for Yeats and which for dermatophytes
- fungal infections
- oral anti-fungal agents
- yeasts = imidazoles, dermatophytes = terbinafine
TOPICAL ANTI-PRURITICS
- What used for?
Conditions that are acutely or chronically itchy
KERATINOLYTICS
- what used for
- side effects
- example
- to soften keratin + aid exfoliation of cells in epidermis of skin
- skin irritation + burning
- salicylic acid
KERATINOLYTICS
- examples of conditions they are used to treat
- warts/verrucas
- psoriasis (esp. of scalp and feet)
- hyperkeratotic skin conditions
- others
VITAMIN D ANALOGUES
- what used for?
- what type of drugs are they!
- chronic plaque psoriasis
- topical drugs that are immune-modulating drugs
VITAMIN D ANALOGUES
- pros
- cons
Pros
- easy to apply
- clean + no smell
- no long term side effects like seen with topical steroids
Cons:
- can be irritant
- only 100g a week (could effect calcium metabolism)
COAL TAR
- used for
- description/appearance
- chronic plaque psoriasis, severe dermatitis
- thick, viscous topical agent
COAL TAR
- Pros
- cons
Pros
- cheap
- limited systemic side effects
Cons
- messy + smelly (thick preparations use only on on-patients)
- can stain hair (pic used on scalp
- can be irritant
TOPICAL ANTIBIOTICS M.O.A
bactericidal or bacteriostatic
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
Finger tip application guide - 1 fingertip
-how many grams
- what is treated
1/2g
Enough to treat 2 adult palms of hands
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
Finger tip application guide - 4 fingertips
-how many grams
- what is treated
- 2g
- one adult arm/hand
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
Finger tip application guide - 8 fingertips
-how many grams
- what is treated
- 4g
- one adult leg + foot
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
Finger tip application guide -
-how many grams to treat whole body
20-30g
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
Conditions used for
- dermatitis/eczema
- psoriasis
- non-infective inflam dermatoses (eg.lichen planus, blistering disorders)
- keloid scars (usually as intralesional SC injection)
TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
Side effects
- Skin atrophy/thinning
- fixed telangiectasia
- purpura
What is phototherapy involve
Exposure of the skin to UV light for strictly prescribed periods of time.
What is phototherapy involve
Exposure of the skin to UV light for strictly prescribed periods of time.
Goal of phototherapy
To reduce inflammatory response within skin
