Many drugs are available in various forms, products with the same name are in the form of ointment, cream or gel. All these varieties have their own characteristics and characteristics. Therefore, when buying any medicine, you need to know how the ointment differs from cream and gel.
Ointment: form description
Ointments as a medicine were used in ancient Egypt, China and Rome. They were made on the basis of lanolin, cow butter, extracts of medicinal plants: almonds, olives, sesame seeds, various flowers and herbs, wax.
Modern ointments in their composition have a medicinal product and a base, which are usually fats of natural or artificial origin, as well as oil products. Often add auxiliary components that help ointments better penetrate the skin, such as nitroglycerin.
Such a mild form of the drug is used for application to a variety of wounds, skin integuments, mucous membranes. To understand how an ointment differs from a cream, it is necessary to consider the features of the latter.
Cream Characteristic
Historically, the cream got its name due to the fact that it was based on cream and wax for a long time. The modern mild form also consists of a basic drug substance and a base, which is light, containing emulsion and water. A distinctive feature of the cream is its ability to exert a strong local effect, but it has practically no systemic effect on the whole body. This is due to the fact that the mild form does not penetrate the bloodstream.
Considering the topic of how the cream differs from ointment, it is necessary to indicate that the first is quickly and completely absorbed into the epidermis, does not leave greasy marks on clothing. In addition, such a mild form is called not only medicines, but also cosmetics or confectionery products.
Gel, its features
Another form of soft medicine is a gel, the description of which will help to understand the difference between a cream, gel and ointment. It is a type of ointment based on water, gelatin, cellulose and other substances with distributed healing components.
The gel is characterized by plasticity and elasticity; it is created by dissolving solid particles of polymers and a neutralizing agent in water in small quantities. All components mix well, thicken and form a viscous soft form.
In its structure, the gel is close to ointment, but it does not clog pores, does not leave a greasy film, and evenly distributes the main substance. The topic of how the ointment differs from cream and gel is very important for understanding the use of the latter. Such a soft dosage form is most effective for muscle and joint pain, osteochondrosis of the spine and neck, with sprains, bruises, and salt deposition.
Gels are for external and internal use, ophthalmic, rectal and vaginal, dental.
What to choose - cream or ointment? Comparison of soft dosage forms
Comparing cream and ointment, it is impossible to say that one form is better than another, their differences lie in the basis used, the rendered effect, penetrating ability. The table below clearly shows how the ointment differs from cream.
Comparison options | Ointment | Cream |
The basis of drugs | The main components are various fats, petroleum jelly, lanolin, there is no water in the composition | Active ingredients - emulsion and water |
Texture | Greasy | Easy |
Penetrating ability | It is poorly absorbed, part of the product remains on the surface of the skin, therefore, requires a special dressing at the place of use | It is well absorbed, leaves no greasy residue, you can safely apply it under clothes |
Effect | Forms a film on the skin that provides a greenhouse effect that promotes deep penetration of the drug | Pleasantly cools the skin due to the presence of water in the composition |
Therapeutic action | Deeply penetrates the epidermis and bloodstream, therefore, affects the body as a whole | It is delayed only in the upper layers of the skin, practically does not enter the bloodstream, therefore it has a powerful local effect |
Use of the term | It is a purely medical term, means drugs | It is used not only in medicine, but also in other areas: cosmetology and cooking |
From the table above it is clearly seen how the cream differs from ointment, therefore, when choosing a dosage form, you need to focus on these features, understand what effect you need to achieve, which drug will be more convenient to use.
Thus, the appearance on the pharmaceutical market of various forms of one and the same medicine is explained by the unique therapeutic effect of each, therefore, to get the best result, you need to know their features and properties.