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Plasters

The document discusses different types of semisolid preparations used in dermatology and their packaging, including pastes, plasters, glycerogelatins and their compositions and uses. It also describes common packaging materials for semisolid preparations like jars, tubes and their properties.

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Shakeel Ijaz
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40 views1 page

Plasters

The document discusses different types of semisolid preparations used in dermatology and their packaging, including pastes, plasters, glycerogelatins and their compositions and uses. It also describes common packaging materials for semisolid preparations like jars, tubes and their properties.

Uploaded by

Shakeel Ijaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 10 • OINTMENTS, CREAMS, AND GELS 325

often used rather than a liquid, which would application, cooled to slightly above body
soften the paste. temperature, and applied to the affected area
Because of the stiffness of pastes, they with a fine brush. Following application, the
remain in place after application and are glycerogelatin hardens, is usually covered
effectively employed to absorb serous secre- with a bandage, and is allowed to remain in
tions. Because of their stiffness and impene- place for weeks. The most recent official glyc-
trability, pastes are not suited for application erogelatin was zinc gelatin, used in the treat-
to hairy parts of the body. ment of varicose ulcers. It was also known as
Among the few pastes in use today is zinc zinc gelatin boot because of its ability to form
oxide paste (Lassar's Plain Zinc Paste), which a pressure bandage.
is prepared by mixing 25% each of zinc oxide
and starch with white petrolatum. The prod-
Packaging Semisolid Preparations
uct is very firm and is better able to protect
the skin and absorb secretions than is zinc Topical dermatologic products are packaged
oxide ointment. in either jars, tubes, or syringes, whereas
ophthalmic, nasal, vaginal, and rectal semi-
Plasters solid products are almost always packaged
in tubes or syringes.
Plasters are solid or semisolid adhesive
Ointment jars are made of clear or opaque
masses spread on a backing of paper, fabric,
glass or plastic. Some are colored green,
moleskin, or plastic. The adhesive material is
amber, or blue. Opaque jars, used for light-
a rubber base or a synthetic resin. Plasters are
sensitive products, are porcelain white, dark
applied to the skin to provide prolonged con-
green, or amber. Commercially available
tact at the site. Unmedicated plasters provide
empty ointment jars vary in size from about
protection or mechanical support at the site
0.5 oz to 1 lb.
of application. Adhesive tape used to be of-
In commercial manufacture and packag-
ficial under the title adhesive plaster, the use
ing of topical products, the jars and tubes are
of this material being well known.
first tested for compatibility and stability for
Medicated plasters provide effects at the
the intended product. This includes stability
site of application. They may be cut to size to
testing of filled containers at room tempera-
conform to the surface to be covered. Among
tures (e.g., 20°C) as well as under accelerated
the few plasters in use today is salicylic acid
stability testing conditions (e.g., 40°C and
plaster used on the toes for the removal of
50°C).
corns. The horny layers of skin are removed
Tubes used to package topical pharma-
by the keratolytic action of salicylic acid. The
ceutical products are gaining in popularity.
concentration of salicylic acid used in com-
They are light in weight, relatively inexpen-
mercial corn plasters ranges from 10% to 40%.
sive, convenient for use, and compatible with
most formulative components, and they pro-
Glycerogelatins
vide greater protection against external con-
Glycerogelatins are plastic masses containing tamination and environmental conditions
gelatin (15%), glycerin (40%), water (35%), than jars (6).
and an added medicinal substance (10%), Ointment tubes are made of aluminum or
such as zinc oxide. They are prepared by first plastic. When the ointment is to be used for
softening the gelatin in the water for about ophthalmic, rectal, vaginal, aural, or nasal
10 minutes, heating on a steam bath until application, they are packaged with special
the gelatin is dissolved, adding the medici- applicator tips. Tubes of aluminum generally
nal substance mixed with the glycerin, and are coated with an epoxy resin, vinyl, or lac-
allowing the mixture to cool with stirring quer to eliminate any interactions between the
until congealed. contents and the tube. Plastic tubes are made
Glycerogelatins are applied to the skin of high- or low-density polyethylene (HDPE
for the long term. They are melted before or LDPE) or a blend of each, polypropylene

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