Characterization and stability study of some pharmaceutical ointments

In the present study we have determined some characteristics (aspect, odor, solubility, emulsion type, water and volatile substances content, total fatty matter, saponification index, ester index) for three pharmaceutical ointments belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: Diclac, Ketonal, Indometacin and one antibiotic ointment for ophthalmic use: Ophtagram. In order to achieve stability study of studied ointments, the pH, the acidity index, the peroxide index and the iodine index were determined over a year every three months. After 9 months from the opening of the tubes, analytical determinations have shown that pH values, acidity, peroxide and iodine indexes no longer fit to the values recommended for medical use, which confirms the directions available on the package.