1. Compounding Ointment (Unguentum) Dr. Muslim Suardi, MSi., Apt.
Faculty of Pharmacy University of Andalas

2. Ointment
“A highly viscous or semisolid preparation usually containing medication, used on the skin as a cosmetic, emollient, or medicament” “a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid preparation, most commonly a greasy, thick oil with a high viscosity, that is intended for external application to the skin or mucous membranes”

3. Topical Medication
“a medication that is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes including but not limited to creams, foams, gels, lotions & ointments”

4. Ointment Ointments are used topically for several purposes as:
Protectants Antiseptics
Emollients Antipruritics
Keratolytics Adstringents

5. Ointment
The vehicle or base of an ointment is of prime importance if the finished product is expected to function as any one of the above categories.
In the case of a protective ointment, it serves to protect the skin against moisture, air, sun rays and other external factors.

6. Ointment
It is necessary that the ointment neither penetrates the human skin barriers nor facilitates the absorption of substances through this barrier.
An antiseptic ointment is used to destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

7. Ointment
Frequently bacterial infections are deeply seated; a base which has the capacity to either penetrate/dissolve & release the medication effectively is therefore desired.
Ointments used for their emollient effect should be easy to apply, be non-greasy & effectively penetrate the skin

8. Types of Ointment Bases
Hydrocarbon bases: hard paraffin, soft paraffin, microcrystalline wax, ceresine
Absorption bases: wool fat, beeswax
Water soluble bases: macrogols 200, 300, 400
Emulsifying bases: emulsifying wax, cetrimide
Vegetable oils: olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, almond oil & peanut oil

9. Ointment Bases
“5 classes of ointment bases which are differentiated on the basis of their physical composition”
Oleaginous bases
Absorption bases
W/O emulsion bases
O/W emulsion bases
Water soluble/miscible bases

10. Evaluation of Ointments
Drug content
Release of medicament from base
Medicament penetration
Consistency of the preparation
Absorption of medicament into blood stream
Irritant effect

11. Properties Affect Choice of An Ointment Base
Stability
Penetrability
Solvent property
Irritant effects
Ease of application & removal

12. Percutaneous Absorption
The potential of the drug to cross the stratum corneum
The potential of the drug to leave the formulation
The influence of the formulation on the stratum corneum.

13. Percutaneous Absorption
The larger surface area, the higher the drug absorbed
Incresing the hydration of formulations or dressings on the skin generally enhance percutaneous absorption
The greater the amount of rubbing, the greater the absorption
The longer the contact, the greater the absorption

14. Percutaneous Absorption
Affords an ease of administration not found in other routes, & patient compliance is generally good with dermatological formulations.
There is also the possibility of continuous drug administration exemplified by the transdermal patches.
Dermatological formulations can be easily removed if necessary

15. Methods of Preparation of Ointments
Trituration
Fusion

16. The Major Disadvantage
Drug absorbed limited to ±2 mg/day
Become a significant limitation if the route is being considered for systemic therapy.
Several chemicals have been found that promote the percutaneous absorption of drugs (called penetration enhancers).

17. Penetration Enhancers
Improve the solubility of the active drug in the stratum corneum & facilite the diffusion of the drug through the barrier into the systemic circulation
Below is a list of penetration enhancers used in dermatological formulations.
Commonly used enhancers: DMSO, urea, & TEA.

18. Penetration Enhancers
Chemical Classification
Examples
Alcohols
MetOH, EtOH, propanol, octanol
Fatty Alcohols
Myristyl, cetyl, & stearyl alcohol
Fatty Acids
Myristic, stearic, & oleic acid
Fatty Acid Ester
Isopropyl, & isopropyl palmitate
Polyols
Propylene glycol, PEG, glycerol
Anionic surfactants
Na lauryl sulfate
Cationic surfactant
Benzalkonium, & cetylpyridinium chloride
Amphoteric surfactants
Lecithins
Nonionic surfactants
Spans, Tweens, poloxamers, Miglyol

19. Advantages

20. Advantages

21. Disadvantages

22. Hard Gelatin Capsules