Aim: To prepare and submit non-staining iodine ointment BPC.
Requirements: Iodine, Arachis oil, methyl salicylate, yellow soft paraffin, spatula, etc.
Theory: Ointments are semi-solid preparations for application to the skin or mucosa. Ointments are semisolid greasy preparations for application to the skin, rectum, and nasal mucosa. The base is usually anhydrous and contains the medicament in solution or suspension form. They are used for their emollient effect on the skin, for the protection of lesions, and topical medication.
Non-staining iodine ointment, which is used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory contains iodine which is complex with fixed oil containing fatty acid at 60°C which results in a color change from brown to green-black. This is done because free iodine has staining properties and is irritant to skin and is used for veterinary use only. Here paraffin i.e.ointment base is only used as a carrier of the drug. Paraffin can absorb only 2% of iodine, but fixed oil can bind with iodine equivalent to its weight.
Formula:
| Ingredients | Quantity for 1000 gm |
| Iodine | 50 gm |
| Arachis oil | 150 ml |
| Methyl Salicylate | 50 gm |
| Yellow soft paraffin | q. s. 1000 gm |
Procedure:
- Finely powder the iodine in a glass mortar and add the required amount to the oil taken in a glass stoppered conical flask and stir well.
- Heat at 50°C and stir occasionally until the brown color has changed to greenish-black.
- Take the required quantity of yellow soft paraffin in a china dish and warm soft paraffin and mix well.
- Measure the required volume of methyl salicylate and mix with a base containing the iodized oil.
- Then pour into a warm wide mouth light-resistant glass container and allow cooling without further stirring.
Category: Counter-irritant, rubefacient, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic.
Storage: Store in a cool place and protect from light. Keep the container tightly closed after use.
Labeling: FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT TO BE APPLIED ON BROKEN SKIN. APPLY TO THE AFFECTED AREA WITH RUBBING.
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