Beeswax & Topical Drug Absorption

Topical drugs are a common alternative to traditional intravenous and oral drug administration. Topical drugs, such as those containing beeswax, are effective in the treatment of pain, dermatological issues and other conditions.

Basics

• Topical drug delivery systems containing beeswax are categorized as an external semi-solid topical, and primarily take the form of a cream. Cream topical systems are constructed through the dissolution or suspension of the medication in both oil-in-water and water-in-oil mixtures. Cream topical drugs containing beeswax are part of the former category. Such creams are generally eight percent beeswax, with additional ingredients such as steryl alcohol and water. When applied to the skin, these creams permeate the various skin layers and mucous membranes.

Advantages

• The chief advantage of topical drug delivery is the medication's ability to avoid what is known as "first pass metabolism," and to instead be directly absorbed into the affected area. In addition, you can use lower dosages of topical drugs, and avoid some of the risks often associated with intravenous applications. Patients who experience upset stomachs from ingesting certain medications do not experience the same side effects with topical drugs.

Disadvantages

• Use of topical drugs can lead to allergic reactions, irritation in the area where the medication was applied, and difficulty, for some patients, in properly absorbing the medication.