Hydrophilic ointment is best described as which type?

Hydrophilic ointment is best described as which type?

• A. Water-removable base
• B. Oleaginous base
• C. Absorption base
• D. W/O emulsion

Answer: (A)

Hydrophilic ointment is a water-washable, water-miscible base. It’s usually made with hydrophilic vehicles like polyethylene glycols (PEGs) that mix with water, so the base and any dissolved drug can be easily washed off with water. This makes it distinct from oleaginous (oil-based) bases, which are greasy and not readily removed with water, and from absorption bases (emulsions that absorb water to form emulsions) that aren’t easily washed away. It’s also not a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. So, the best description is a water-removable base.

Hydrophilic ointment is a water-washable, water-miscible base. It’s usually made with hydrophilic vehicles like polyethylene glycols (PEGs) that mix with water, so the base and any dissolved drug can be easily washed off with water. This makes it distinct from oleaginous (oil-based) bases, which are greasy and not readily removed with water, and from absorption bases (emulsions that absorb water to form emulsions) that aren’t easily washed away. It’s also not a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. So, the best description is a water-removable base.