Which dosage form is a suspension of a drug in a water base for external use?

Which dosage form is a suspension of a drug in a water base for external use?

• A. Ointments
• B. Lotion
• C. Gels
• D. Creams

Answer: (B)

A lotion is a water-based, low-viscosity topical preparation in which drug particles are dispersed as a suspension in a predominantly aqueous vehicle for external use. This makes it easy to spread over large areas and feel cooling on the skin, which matches how a water-based suspension behaves. Ointments are oil-based and greasy, not primarily water-based. Creams are emulsions that mix oil and water and are more viscous than lotions. Gels are thickened water networks where the drug may be dissolved or dispersed, but they’re not simply a suspension in a water base. Hence, the form described is lotion.

A lotion is a water-based, low-viscosity topical preparation in which drug particles are dispersed as a suspension in a predominantly aqueous vehicle for external use. This makes it easy to spread over large areas and feel cooling on the skin, which matches how a water-based suspension behaves. Ointments are oil-based and greasy, not primarily water-based. Creams are emulsions that mix oil and water and are more viscous than lotions. Gels are thickened water networks where the drug may be dissolved or dispersed, but they’re not simply a suspension in a water base. Hence, the form described is lotion.