Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms Laboratory Manual

Name: Sec: Group no.: Date:

SN Surname, First name

PREPARATION #8: WHITE

OINTMENT

Post Lab Questions:

1. How are ointment jars filled on a small-scale ointment preparation with the
use of a spatula?
- The ointment jars are filled on a small scale ointment preparation by carefully
transferring the weighed amount of ointment into the container with the use of a
spatula. The ointment is packed first from the bottom and then along the sides of the
jar. As the jar is being filled, it is important to stab the spatula into the ointment to
avoid entrapment of air.

2. What is the difference between White ointment USP and Yellow ointment?
- The white and yellow ointments differ in their components, appearance, and uses.
The white ointment’s active ingredient is white petrolatum while the yellow ointment
contains the active ingredient sulfur. They are both semisolid but from the name itself,
one is white while the other is yellow. The white ointment is mainly used for
conserving moisture and sealing wounds from external risks and contamination. On
the other side, yellow ointment is used as a parasiticide or treating conditions such as
ringworm and scabies.

3. Identify at least two (2) official or non-official example preparations of the

four classifications of ointment bases. Attach photocopies of these preparations
citing their formula, preparation, and uses.

A. OLEAGINOUS BASE
1. Petrolatum ointment
- Formula
- White wax (5 g)
- White petrolatum (95 g)
- To make (100 g)
- Preparation
1. Set up a steam bath by filling a 250 mL beaker approximately one-third full with water.
Set the beaker on a hot plate. Set the hot plate on high.
2. Set a large ceramic dish on the beaker. Melt the white wax in the ceramic dish.
3. Add the white petrolatum, warming until liquefied.
4. Remove the ceramic dish from the steam bath.
5. Stir until the mixture congeals, and allow it to cool.
- Uses
- Petrolatum ointment is a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin
and minor skin irritations.
2. Salicylic acid ointment
- Formula
- Salicylic acid (60 g)
- White petrolatum (40 g)
- To make 100 g
- Preparation
1. Triturate Salicylic Acid to fine powder
 2. Using low heat, melt the petrolatum
3. Slowly incorporate the triturated Salicylic Acid into step 2, mix well
4. Continue mixing with a stirring rod until Petrolatum congeals
5. Package in appropriate container, tube or ointment jar
- Uses
- Treats skin disorders, such as common skin and foot warts, corns and calluses.

References

Dubins, D., Laschuk, A., and Ho, C. (2019). Extemporaneous Compounding in Pharmacy Practice. pp.
418-451.

Salicylic Acid Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD. (n.d.). WebMD.
Retrieved February 22, 2022, from
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-18-866/salicylic-acid-topical/salicylic-acid-keratolytic-topical/det
ails

B. ABSORPTION BASE
1. Hydrophilic Petrolatum
- Formula:
- Cholesterol (30 g)
- Stearyl Alcohol (30 g)
- White Wax (80 g)
- White Petrolatum (860 g)
- To make 1000 g
- Preparation:
- Melt the Stearyl Alcohol and White Wax together in a steam bath.
- Add the Cholesterol, and stir until completely dissolved.
- Add the White Petrolatum, and mix.
- Remove from the bath, and stir until the mixture congeals.
- Uses:
- Used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent very dry skin and skin irritations.
2. Betamethasone Acetate 0.1%, Mupirocin 1%, and Nystatin 1% Nipple Ointment
- Formula:
- Betamethasone acetate (100 mg)
- Mupirocin (1 g)
- Nystatin (1 g)
- Hydrophilic petrolatum qs 100 g
- Preparation:
1. Calculate the quantity of each ingredient for the amount to be prepared.
2. Accurately weigh each ingredient. Blend the powders together until they are uniformly
mixed.
3. Add a small amount of the vehicle and mix to form a smooth paste.
4. Add sufficient vehicle to final weight and mix well.
5. Package and label.
- Uses:
- Indicated for the prevention of infection of cracked nipples, and the treatment of
susceptible infections of the nipple and surrounding areas.

References:
Allen, L. V.. (2011a, June 20). Betamethasone Acetate 0.1%, Mupirocin 1%, and Nystatin 1% Nipple Ointment.
US Pharmacist. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/betamethasone-acetate-01-mupirocin-1-and-nystatin-1-nipple-oi
ntment
Hydrophilic Petrolatum. (n.d.). In United States Pharmacopeial Convention Committee of Revision (Ed.),
USP-NF Online (43rd ed.). United States Pharmacopeial Convention.

C. WATER REMOVABLE BASE

 1. Hydrophilic Ointment
- Formula:
- Methylparaben (0.25 g)
- Propylparaben (0.15 g)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (10 g)
- Propylene Glycol (120 g)
- Stearyl Alcohol (250 g)
- White Petrolatum (250 g)
- Purified Water (370 g)
- To make about 1000 g
- Preparation:
- Melt the Stearyl Alcohol and the White Petrolatum on a steam bath, and warm to about 75°.
- Add the other ingredients, previously dissolved in Purified Water and warmed to 75°.
- Stir the mixture until it congeals.
- Uses:
- Used to treat dry skin.
2. Vanishing cream
- Formula:
Per Cent
Stearic acid t. p. 17.0
Sodium carbonate 0.5
Potassium hydroxide 0.5
Glycerin 6.0
Water 71.0
Alcohol 4.5
Perfume 0.5

- Preparation:
1. Melt the stearic acid.
2. Make a solution of the alkalies in one-third of the water, add the glycerin.
3. Then add the solution with a steady agitation to the melted fats, continue stirring until emulsification
has taken place;
4. Then, add the remainder of the water heated to the same temperature.
5. Continue stirring until the temperature has dropped to about 40°C. Dissolve the perfume in the alcohol
and stir this in.
6. Allow the batch to stand aside for a day before filling.

- Uses:
- Hydrates and soothes dry skin
- A common base in cosmetic products

References:

Monograph: Hydrophilic Ointment. (n.d.). USP-NF. Doi: https://doi.org/10.31003/USPNF_M58430_01_01

Bennett, J. (n.d.). Cosmetics and Skin: Vanishing Creams. Cosmetics and Skin.
https://www.cosmeticsandskin.com/aba/vanishing-cream.php

D. WATER SOLUBLE BASE

1. Polyethylene Glycol Ointment
- Formula:
- Polyethylene Glycol 3350 (400 g)
- Polyethylene Glycol 400 (600 g)
- To make 1000 g
- Preparation:
- Heat the two ingredients on a water bath to 65°.
- Allow to cool, and stir until congealed.
 - If a firmer preparation is desired, replace up to 100 g of the Polyethylene Glycol 400
with an equal amount of Polyethylene Glycol 3350. [Note—If 6%–25% of an aqueous
solution is to be incorporated in the Ointment, replace 50 g of the Polyethylene Glycol
3350 with an equal amount of stearyl alcohol.]
- Uses:
- Used to treat mucosal surfaces such as skin, nose, lips, and ears.
2. Antirheumatic Ointment
- Formula:
- Mephenesin (5 g)
- Methyl salicylate (12.5 g)
- Menthol (5 g)
- Camphor (5 g)
- Methyl nicotinate (1 g)
- Capsicum oleoresin (0.1 g)
- Polyethylene glycol 400 (21 g)
- Polyethylene glycol 4,000 (100 g)
- Preparation:
1. Calculate the quantity of each ingredient for the amount to be prepared.
2. Accurately weigh or measure each ingredient. Heat the polyethylene glycol (PEG)
4,000 to about 75°C.
3. Add the mephenesin powder and stir until dissolved.
4. Add the capsicum oleoresin and stir until dissolved.
5. Add the PEG 400, mix well, and cool to about 60°C.
6. In a separate vessel, mix the methyl salicylate, menthol, camphor, and methyl
nicotinate and stir until dissolved.
7. Add this solution to the PEG mixture and mix well.
8. Cool to room temperature while mixing.
9. Package and label.
- Uses:
- This preparation may be used in the treatment of muscle pain and arthritis.

References:

Allen, L. V. (2011b, July 20). Antirheumatic Ointment. US Pharmacist. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/antirheumatic-ointment

Monograph: Polyethylene Glycol Ointment. (n.d.). USP-NF. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.31003/USPNF_M66460_01_01

36