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Monday, April 26, 2021

Difference between cream and ointment

Creams and ointments are both semisolid dosage forms intended for topical application, it may be medicinal or cosmetic. The major difference between cream and ointment is the ratio between oil and water used in the formulation, the cream contains 50% oil and 50% water whereas the ointment contains 80% oil and 20% water. 

Dosage forms are the means by which active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are delivered to the specific site of the body. Based on the physical form they are solid, liquid, semi-solid, and gaseous dosage forms, and based on the route of drug administration they are topical, oral, parenteral (Injection), inhalation, and some are installed in the body cavities. Some examples of dosage forms are tablets, capsules, injections, syrup, solutions, lotions, liniments, throat paints, aerosols, and sprays, etc.

A topical administration is applied to a specific place on or within the body. Often the topical route means cosmetic use or treatment of diseases through a variety of classes, including gels, creams, pastes, emulsions, lotions, liniments, foams, and ointments on body surfaces such as the skin, mucous membranes.

Creams:

The cream is a semi-solid emulsion made from a combination of 50% oil and 50% water used for medicinal as well as cosmetic purposes. It is non-greasy, light texture disappears on rubbing, and is quickly absorbed by our skin. Creams are water-soluble, so they wash off quickly. It can also be used to treat rashes, allergies, or any other skin-related issues.

Creams are similar to lotions both are made with a mixture of oil and water which helps skin to soften, moisturize, and cleanse. Creams are suitable for dry skin and lotions are suitable for mild to slightly dry skin.

Ointments:

Ointments are homogenous semisolid dosage forms for external (local) use, intended for application to the skin or certain mucous membrane. It is an oil-based and preservative-free product that contains 80% oil and 20% water. Ointments are a good absorbent and offer an occlusive barrier on the skin which prevents loss of moisture and providing the maximum advantages.

Difference between creams and ointments:

Ointment and cream both are types of topical preparations which are used for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical. However, they have some differences based on nature and properties.
  • Creams are made up of more than 20% water and volatiles, whereas ointments are made up of less than 20% water and volatiles.
  • Creams are opaque, and relatively soft, while ointments are smooth and soften.
  • The creams are generally white to off-white, while the ointments are translucent.
  • Pharmaceutical creams can be easily spread on the skin, while ointments may be less spreadable.
  • The cream has a short duration of action, while the ointment has a prolonged action compared to cream.
  • In comparison to ointments, creams are non-greasy, while ointments are greasy.
  • The cream is a water-based formulation whereas ointment is an oil-based semisolid preparation.
  • In comparison to ointment, the cream is thinner, while ointment is thicker.
  • Creams are absorbed faster, while ointments take longer to be absorbed through the skin.
  • The shelf-life of the cream is short, while the shelf-life of the ointment is longer.
  • The cream has a faster onset of action, while the ointment has a slower onset of action than the cream.
  • Creams are easily washed off as they are non-greasy, while ointments are not easily washed off.
  • Creams do not leave stains on clothing, whereas ointments can leave stains on clothing.
Ointment VS cream
Difference between cream and ointment

The similarity between ointments and creams:

The ointments and creams both are semisolid preparation for topical use that contains oil and water as a base. The similarity between ointments and creams is that both are used for cosmetics as well as medicinal purposes.

Commonly asked questions on ointments and creams are as follows.

Why are creams preferred over ointments?
Creams are suitable for dry skin and it works better on large areas of skin as it spreads more easily than ointments.

What are ointments used for?
Ointments, which contain moisturizers, medications, and cosmetics, can be applied to the skin, and mucus membranes to help treat bites, cuts, burns, scrapes, and hemorrhoids.


Sunday, April 25, 2021

Difference between cream and lotion

The major difference between cream and lotion is that the formulation of cream contains a higher percentage of oil, whereas the formulation of lotion contains a higher percentage of water.

Dosage forms are important because they deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to a particular body site. Different types of dosage forms exist, and they can be classified based on their physical form as well as the route of drug delivery/method. Depending on the physical form, the dosage forms are solid, semisolid, liquid, and gaseous dosage forms. Depending on the route of administration, the dosage forms are oral, parenteral, topical, inhalation, and instilled in the body cavities. Each dosage form and route of drug administration has its advantages.

To produce the local and systemic effects of the drug the topical route is used in which medication is applied to a particular part of the body such as the skin or mucous membrane. It is often used to treat ailments and skincare via a large range of classes including lotion, cream, emulsion, suspension, transdermal patch, paste, ointment, gel, eye drops (ophthalmic), and ear drops (otic), etc.
Lotions and creams both are moisturizers that are formulated to keep your skin hydrated. They are emulsions that are made up of both water and oil. The emulsion is a biphasic liquid or semi-solid dosage form, and the semisolid dosage form is neither solid nor liquid.

What is Cream?

The cream is semi-solid emulsions made with a combination of oil and water. It is divided into two types oil-in-water (O/W) cream made from small droplets of oil dispersed in a continuous water phase, and water-in-oil (W/O) cream made from small droplets of water dispersed in a continuous oily phase.
A cream is a mixture of oil and water, similar to a lotion, however the oil content in the cream higher than the lotion. Creams have a thicker consistency compared to the lotions and act as a barrier, keeping the skin ultra-hydrated. There are different types of creams are available in the market, because of their thickness, body cream is commonly sold in jars or tubs.

What is lotion?

The lotion is a smooth, thick liquid preparation used to apply to the skin for cosmetic or medicinal purposes. It is an aqueous or sometimes alcoholic preparation containing insoluble substances in the form of a suspension or emulsion intended for external application without rubbing. Since lotions contain less oil and absorb more easily than creams, they are better suited for normal to slightly dry skin.

Lotion vs Cream:

Creams and lotions are a mixture of oil and water and both are used for the same purpose, which helps to moisturize our skin. However, there are some differences in creams and lotions which are mentioned here.
  • The cream is a thick liquid or a semi-solid preparation, while a lotion is a thick, smooth liquid solution, both are used to apply to the skin.
  • Creams have a higher percentage of oil whereas lotions have a higher percentage of water.
  • While preparing the cream, drops of water are added to the oil, whereas in the lotion, drops of oil are added to the water.
  • Creams are greasy, rich, and heavy, whereas lotions are non-greasy and light-weight.
  • Creams are more suitable for dry to extremely dry skin, whereas lotions are ideal for mild to slightly dry skin.
  • Creams are ideal for use at night and during winter, while lotions are ideal for use during the day and during summer.
  • Creams have a thicker consistency than lotions, while lotions have a thinner consistency than creams.
  • Because of differences in their consistency, creams are packaged in jars while lotions are packaged in bottles.
Difference between cream and lotion

Similarity between lotion and cream:

The major similarity between lotions and creams is that both are semi-solid dosage forms and are applied to the skin for medicinal as well as cosmetic purposes. Lotions and creams are made with a mixture of oil and water that help to cleanse, moisturize and soften the skin.

Commonly asked questions on lotion and cream are as follows.

Is cream better than lotion for dry skin?
Yes, creams are perfect for very dry skin and are suitable for skincare in winter and cold weather.

What is the advantage of lotion over cream?
The major advantage of lotion over cream is that lotion has a lower viscosity than cream, making it easier to absorb by the skin.

What is the difference between body creams and body lotions?
Body creams are thicker, heavier, and contain more oil than body lotions, allowing them to penetrate deeper into your skin and form a moisture barrier.



Friday, April 23, 2021

Difference between colloid and emulsion

The major difference between colloids and emulsion is that the colloid is a heterogeneous mixture that can form when any state of matter such as solid, liquid, or gas combines with a liquid, while the emulsion is also a heterogeneous mixture of two immiscible liquids in which the dispersed particles do not settle on standing.  

What is colloid and emulsion?

Colloid and emulsion both are often used synonymously, emulsions are formed when two immiscible liquids combine, while a colloid solution can be a liquid or solid dispersion in another liquid. In other words, an emulsion can be called a colloid however not all colloids are emulsions.

Colloids:

A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture in which a dispersed particle is intermediate in size between a solution and a suspension. The particles are uniformly distributed through the dispersion medium, which may be a solid, liquid, or gas. A colloid result when particle’s diameter is ranging in 1 to 1000 nanometer and are dispersed in a liquid solvent.
Colloids differ from solutions in that their dispersed particles are much larger than those of a solution. The dispersed particles of a colloid are not as large as those in a suspension, so the solute does not settle out on standing. The colloids can be separated from the solution because they exhibit light scattering.
Example of a colloid: “Milk” is a colloid solution in which fat particles are uniformly distributed in the water.  

Emulsion:

An emulsion is a type of colloid that refers to microscopic liquid particles dispersed in another liquid. An emulsion is a mixture of oil and water and can only be made by mixing with immiscible liquids and it can be stabilized by adding surfactant or emulsifier.
The emulsion consists of two categories, oil-in-water (O/W) or water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, depending on the continuous phase. In oil in the water is in large quantity hence it continues phase, and in Water in oil the oil large quantity hence it continues phase and water is in small quantity hence it is discontinues phase.
Example of an emulsion: “milk” is one example of an emulsion of fat and water. Oil and water mixtures are emulsions when shaken together.

Difference between colloid and emulsion:

  • A colloid is a stable system of two phases, one of which is dispersed in the other in the form of very small particles or droplets, whereas emulsion is a stable suspension of small droplets of one liquid in another with which it is immiscible.
  • The colloid shows scatter light (Tyndall effect) while the emulsion can also show the Tyndall effect.
  • A colloid can form when any state of the substance combines with a liquid, while the emulsion consists of two liquid components that immiscible with each other.
  • A colloid is a homogeneous non-crystalline substance consisting of large, whereas an emulsion is a fine dispersion of minute droplets.
  • Colloids do not separate on standing while the emulsion does not settle on standing.
  • The particle size of colloids 1-1000 nm, while the particle size in the emulsion usually ranges from approximately 10 nm to 100 μm.
  • Colloids cannot be separated by filtration, while emulsion also cannot be filtered out.
  • Emulsion dosage forms are opaque in appearance, whereas colloids are translucent because of the Tyndall effect.
Commonly asked questions on colloid and emulsion are as follows.

What is the difference between a colloidal solution and an emulsion? Give one example of each.
The dispersed phase in a colloidal solution is solid, and the dispersion medium is liquid, while in an emulsion, both the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium are liquids.
Example of Colloidal solution- muddy water, cell fluids, etc.
Example of Emulsion- cold cream, milk.etc.

What is the difference between a colloidal solution, gel, and emulsion?
The basic difference between a colloidal solution, gel, and the emulsion is their dispersed phase and dispersed medium. The dispersed phase in the colloidal solution is solid, in the gel is liquid, and in the emulsion is liquid, whereas the dispersed medium in the colloidal solution is liquid, in the gel is solid, and in the emulsion is liquid.


Thursday, April 22, 2021

Difference between solute and solvent

The basic difference between a solute and a solvent is that a solute is a substance that is added to a solvent to form a solution, while a solvent is a substance that dissolves the solute particles during the formation of the solution.

Solute and solvent both are substances used in chemical laboratories, pharmaceuticals, chromatography, other than they are also part of day-to-day life. A solution has two components namely solute and solvent. The solvent can dissolve the solute in a homogeneous solution.
The solute in a heterogeneous mixture is not evenly distributed, and its concentration different in various parts of the solution. The solute completely dissolves in another substance in a homogeneous mixture, and the solute is evenly dispersed in the solution.

Solute:

A solute is a substance that can be dissolved into a solution by a solvent. It can come in several forms, such as solid, liquid, and gas. The substance, or solvent that dissolves the solute molecule, separates the molecules of the solute and distributes them evenly which creates a homogeneous mixture.
The solute amount in a solution is determined in terms of its concentration. The solute concentration in a solution is measured by the ratio of the volume of the solute to the total volume of the solution.
Examples of solute consist of sugar in tea, salt in seawater, protons in the cytosol, etc. 

Solvent:

A solvent is a substance that allows solutes to dissolve and form a solution. We always believe a solvent to be a liquid however it can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical liquid. A solvent can be further classified into two types, which are polar solvents and non-polar solvents.
Examples of the solvent consist of water, alcohols, methanol, acetonitrile, hydrocarbons, and esters, etc.
Solute VS Solvent
  • The major difference between solute and solvent is that a solute is a substance that gets dissolved whereas a solvent is a dissolving medium.
  • The boiling point of solute is higher than solvent, while the boiling point of solvent is lower than solute.
  • Solutes may exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states, while solvents are often liquid.
  • Solubility of solute depends on the properties of the solute such as surface area and size of molecules, and the properties of both the solvent and the solute are interdependent of each other.
  • The amount of solute in a solution is less than the amount of solvent in a solution, while the amount of solvent in a solution is greater than the amount of solute in a solution.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Difference between syrup and solution

The major difference between solution and syrup is that a solution is a homogeneous mixture formed by dissolving one or more active ingredients, whereas syrup is a viscous oral liquid consisting primarily of sugar or any other sweetening agent.
Dosage forms are intended to deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at the site of action within the body. They come in many types depending on the mode/route of administration. Based on the physical form they are liquid, solid, semisolid, and gaseous dosage forms, and based on route they are oral, topical, inhalation, and parenteral route of drug administration. The most commonly used dosage forms include tablets, capsules, granules, syrup, suspensions, elixir, creams, ointments, and injections, etc.

Liquid dosage forms provide rapid and high absorption of soluble drug products hence are one of the oldest dosage forms used to treat various diseases. It can be administered orally, parenterally, or topically. It is especially used for patients who have difficulty swallowing, such as children and elders.
E.g. Syrups, solutions, ear drops, ear drops, lotion, elixirs, and parenteral preparations, etc.

What is syrup in pharmacy?

Liquid syrups are one of the dosage forms that contain a concentrated solution of sugar mixed in water or other aqueous liquid. The syrup is a saturated solution in which drugs dissolve. Some syrup is less viscous, while some are more viscous which is dependent upon the concentration of sweeteners used in the formulation.
It is an oral suspension in liquid form that is used as a vehicle for the drug. Simple syrup, medicated syrup, and flavored syrup are the three types of syrups preferably suitable for pediatric use. The syrup should be stored in a tightly-closed container and in a cool, dry place after use to preserve them.

What is a solution in pharmacy?

Pharmaceutical solutions are liquid formulations in which one or more solutes with excipients have been dissolved in a suitable solvent or miscible solvent mixture. Pharmaceutical solutions are homogeneous, and they can be classified as oral, otic, ophthalmic, or topical, as well as injections, which are sterile and pyrogen-free solutions intended for parenteral administration. Vehicle solutions are classified as aqueous solutions and non-aqueous solutions.

Difference between syrup and solution:

  • The pharmaceutical syrup is intended to use for oral administration while solutions are used for many routes of administration, including oral, rectal, otic, parenteral, and ophthalmic.
  • The syrup can be opaque and cloudy in appearance, while the solution can clear in appearance.
  • Because of the high sugar content, the syrup may not be appropriate for diabetic patients, while the solution is suitable for all types of patients.
  • The oral syrup is always sweet while the oral solution is not.
  • The syrup scatters the beam of light, while the solution is transparent does not disperse the ray of light.
  • The syrup may take more time to filter as it is more viscous, whereas the solution can rapidly be filtered through the filter paper.

Commonly asked questions on syrup and suspension are as follows.

Is syrup a suspension or colloid?
The syrup is not a colloid, it is a suspension solution. Since a colloid is an insoluble microscopic particulate suspended in a solvent, the mixture contains both liquid and solid components.

What is the similarity between syrup and solution?
The major similarity between syrup and solution is that pharmaceutical syrups and solutions are the mixtures of solutes in which the drug particles are also completely dissolved in the solvent.

What are the examples of solutions?
In a solution, all the components appear as a single phase. Common examples of solutions are the sugar dissolved in water, salt dissolved in water, juice, soda water, etc.