Which liquid preparation is composed of pyroxylin in a solvent mixture (alcohol or ether)?

Which liquid preparation is composed of pyroxylin in a solvent mixture (alcohol or ether)?

• A. Liniments
• B. Gels
• C. Ointments
• D. Collodions

Answer: (D)

Collodions are liquid medicinal preparations in which pyroxylin (nitrocellulose) is dissolved in a volatile solvent system, typically a mixture of ether and alcohol. When applied to a surface, the fast evaporation of the solvents leaves behind a thin, flexible film formed by the nitrocellulose. This exactly matches the description of a liquid preparation made from pyroxylin dissolved in a solvent mix of alcohol or ether. The other forms—liniments, gels, and ointments—are not based on nitrocellulose dissolved in ether-alcohol and they don’t produce that film-enforcing coating upon drying.

Collodions are liquid medicinal preparations in which pyroxylin (nitrocellulose) is dissolved in a volatile solvent system, typically a mixture of ether and alcohol. When applied to a surface, the fast evaporation of the solvents leaves behind a thin, flexible film formed by the nitrocellulose. This exactly matches the description of a liquid preparation made from pyroxylin dissolved in a solvent mix of alcohol or ether. The other forms—liniments, gels, and ointments—are not based on nitrocellulose dissolved in ether-alcohol and they don’t produce that film-enforcing coating upon drying.