Topical medications are applied to the body's surface (the skin or eyes) in order to achieve a desired local therapeutic effect. Since the skin is such a highly effective barrier, it makes the delivery of topical medications especially challenging.
Ointments are used topically on a variety of body surfaces. These include the skin and the mucous membranes of the eye (an eye ointment), chest, vulva, anus, and nose.
Applying medication to the skin or mucous membranes allows it to enter the body from there. Medication applied in this way is known as topical medication. It can also be used to treat pain or other problems in specific parts of the body.
Topical Medications
Medications via topical route are applied to body surfaces: skin, eyes, ears, and nose.
Topical administration of the drug is employed to treat anterior segment diseases, most often in the form of eye drops. For this route, the site of action is generally the different layers of the conjunctiva, cornea, sclera, and other anterior segment tissues like iris and ciliary body (anterior uvea).
Topical: Pertaining to a particular surface area. For example, a topical agent is applied to a certain area of the skin and is intended to affect only the area to which it is applied.
Ointments are thicker and greasier, and are better for dry or flaky areas of skin. Lotion is better for treating large or hairier areas of skin.
If skin is very dry and flaking, apply topical medication while skin is still damp. If using a tub scoop a small amount using a gloved hand. If using a tube squeeze out a small amount into the hand. Let the person know that initial application may feel cold.
Topical and Transdermal Medications. Topical medications are medications that are administered via the skin or mucous membranes for direct local action, as well as for systemic effects.
About betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose Brand names: Betnesol, Vistamethasone. Betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose is used to treat cold-like symptoms caused by allergies.
General principles for topical formulations
Topical formulations are applied directly to the skin. Advantages of this include: An increased dose of medication is applied where it is needed. There are reduced side effects and toxicity to other organs compared to systemic medications.
4A, there are a range of epidermal, dermal, and appendageal target sites that include the keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, melanocytes, Merkel cells, and blood vessels, as well as deeper tissues such as muscle.
Definition: Any medication applied to a body surface, including the skin or the inside of the mouth. ABC - DEF - GHI - JKL - MNO - PQRS - TUV - WXYZ.
The medicine should only be applied to affected areas of skin. Gently smooth a thin layer onto your skin in the direction the hair grows. Wash your hands before and after you've applied the medicine, unless you are treating an area on your hands.
Sublingual administration involves placing a drug under the tongue and buccal administration involves placing a drug between the gums and cheek. The sublingual and buccal routes are considered promising alternatives to the traditional oral route for drug delivery.
Never apply a heating pad over the patch, as it will affect the rate of absorption with potentially serious adverse effects. Choose an area free of hair, abrasions, or irritation. Use gloves when applying ointment, cream, and lotion to avoid absorption of the medication into your skin.
Topical medications are applied directly to body surfaces like the skin and mucous membranes. They come in many forms like creams, ointments, gels, and patches. The purpose is to deliver medication directly to irritated, inflamed, or infected areas of the skin or other tissues.
Sublingual administration of drug refers to the placement of drug under the tongue (Rehfeld et al., 2017). The sublingual route bypasses the first-pass metabolism and hence facilitates rapid absorption of the drug into the systemic circulation. Drug directly reaches the systemic circulation using blood vessels.
Creams can generally be used on all areas of the body including the face, and are especially effective in flexural and genital areas [30].
NOTES: Drugs that are applied topically can reach systemic circulation if the drug is able to penetrate to the blood vessels in the dermis.
Can I use hydrocortisone skin treatments on my face? Do not use hydrocortisone cream, ointment or lotion on your face unless a doctor has advised you to and given you a prescription for it. The skin on your face is delicate, and if hydrocortisone damages it, it's particularly noticeable.
Topical medications are applied to the body's surface (the skin or eyes) in order to achieve a desired local therapeutic effect. Since the skin is such a highly effective barrier, it makes the delivery of topical medications especially challenging.
To do so may increase absorption through your skin and the chance of side effects. In addition, too much use, especially on thin skin areas (for example, face, armpits, groin), may result in thinning of the skin and stretch marks.
Parts of the body, such as your elbows, hands, knees and neck, are prone to dryness more than others and may demand extra attention. To help soothe and soften very dry areas, you might like to apply body lotion to those areas throughout the day as well as after your bath or shower.