Topical Therapies

Question 1

Types of Topical Therapies

Answer 1

Emollients
Topical corticosteroids
Anti-infective agents:

• Antibitotics
• Antiseptics
• Anti-virals
• Anti-fungals

Anti-pruitics
Keratolytics

Question 2

Pros to topical therapies

Answer 2

• Easy to apply
• Non-invasive
• Relatively concentrated local effect, minimal/no systemic side effects

Question 3

Cons to topical therapies

Answer 3

• Can be messy
• Time-consuming
• Generally slow absorption

Question 4

What is a vehicle?

Answer 4

A substance without therapeutic action but is combined with a drug to aid administration

Types of vehicle:

• Cream
• Ointment
• Gel
• Lotion
• Paste

Question 5

Cream - What is it? Features?

Answer 5

A semisolid emulsion of oil and water

Features:

• Easy to apply
• Non-greasy
• High water content
• Cosmetically acceptable
• Cooling
• Moisturising
• Contains emulsifier and preservatives

Question 6

Ointment - What is it? Features?

Answer 6

A semi-solid grease/oil

Features:

• No preservatives
• Occlusive/restrict transepidermal water loss
• Greasy (less cosmetically acceptable)

Question 7

Gel - What is it? Features?

Answer 7

A thickened aqueous lotion. Semi-solids containing high molecular weight polymers (e.g. methylcellulose)

Features:

• Liquify when they touch the skin leaving a thin layer of the drug.
• Cosmetically acceptable.
• Useful for areas with lots of hair (scalp, face…etc).

Question 8

Lotion - What is it? Features?

Answer 8

A suspensions or solution of a drug in water, alcohol or another liquid

Features:

• Useful for areas with lots of hair (scalp, face…etc).
• May sting and/or dry the skin if containing alcohol.

Question 9

Paste - What is it? Features?

Answer 9

A semi-solid containing finely powdered material (e.g. zinc)

Features:

• Protective, occlusive and hydrating.
• Often used in skin conditions where soothing, cooling and/or drying is required.
• Greasy.
• Stiff and difficult to apply.