Cream (pharmacy)

Cream (pharmacy) is a type of pharmaceutical dosage form that is semi-solid at room temperature, and contains a mixture of one or more drug substances dissolved or dispersed in a suitable base. The base is usually oil, water, or a mixture of the two. Creams are used to deliver medication to or through the skin.

Composition

Creams are composed of a mixture of oil and water. The oil component, also known as the oil phase, can be a variety of substances including petrolatum, mineral oil, or vegetable oil. The water component, or water phase, is often just purified water, but can also include other ingredients that are soluble in water. The oil and water phases are combined using an emulsifier, which helps to stabilize the mixture and prevent the oil and water from separating.

Types of Creams

There are several types of creams used in pharmacy, including:

• Ointments: These are oil-based creams that are used topically on the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
• Lotions: These are water-based creams that are more fluid than ointments and can be applied to large areas of the skin.
• Emulsions: These are creams in which one liquid is dispersed in another liquid in the form of tiny droplets.

Uses

Creams are used for a variety of purposes in pharmacy. They can be used to deliver medication to the skin to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. They can also be used to deliver medication through the skin, in a process known as transdermal delivery. This method is used for medications such as nicotine patches and certain types of pain relief medication.

Preparation

The preparation of creams involves several steps. First, the oil and water phases are prepared separately. The oil phase often involves heating to melt any solid ingredients. The water phase often involves heating to dissolve any soluble ingredients. Once the two phases are prepared, they are slowly combined while being mixed continuously. Once the cream has cooled and solidified, it can be packaged and is ready for use.

See Also

• Ointment
• Lotion
• Emulsion
• Pharmaceutical dosage form
• Transdermal delivery