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Pol J Cosmetol 2015, 18(3): 231-235pl  The evaluation of methods to prepare prescription ointments with salicylic acidAnna Czajkowska-Kośnik 1/, Ewelina Karpiej 2/, Katarzyna Winnicka 1/ 1/ Zakład Farmacji Stosowanej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku 2/ magistrantka - Wydział Farmaceutyczny, kierunek Kosmetologia, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku Summary Introduction. Salicylic acid is often used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. Its activity depends on drug concentration and includes antiseptic, keratolytic or keratoplastic effects. Preparation of ointments with salicylic acid always brought a lot of difficulties arising mainly from necessity to obtain a suitable particle size of suspended drug. Aim. The aim of this work was to develop optimal methods for preparation of ointments with salicylic acid providing adequate drug substance particle size (< 90 μm). Material and methods. In the study salicylic acid as a solid substance and triturate (concentrate) salicylic acid with white petroleum (1:1) was used. The ointments were prepared using traditional methods in a mortar or Unguator machine with white petrolatum or Hascobase as ointment bases. Additionally, the impact of different temperature conditions on the particle size of the salicylic acid after 30 days of storage was evaluated. Results. Preparation of ointment with salicylic acid in a mortar requires at least 15-minute grinding the active substance with a suitable excipient. The best results were obtained when salicylic acid was grinding with liquid paraffin. Application of the method II (3 cycles of homogenization of the active substance with the ointment base) in Unguator to prepare ointment with salicylic acid and white petrolatum, made it possible to obtain preparations with the desired particle size. The proper preparation of ointments in Unguator in using Hascobase require preliminary grinding of salicylic acid in a mortar. The use of a triturate salicylic acid and white petrolatum made it possible to shorten by at least half the time to prepare an ointment. Conclusions. Using the triturate (concentrate) of salicylic acid and white petrolatum (1:1) is the most favorable method to prepare of ointments with salicylic acid. This method allows to shorten the preparation time and improve the quality of obtained product. Key words: salicylic acid, praescription ointments, microscopic observations, particle size |