Topical
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2008-05-29T05:52:28Z
Alexbot
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robot Adding: [[zh:外用]]
{{Wiktionarypar|topical}}
In [[medicine]], a '''topical''' [[medication]] is applied to [[body surface area|body surfaces]] such as the [[skin]] or [[mucous membrane]]s, for example the [[vagina]], [[pharynx|throat]], [[penis]], [[eye]]s and [[ear]]s.
Some [[hydrophobe|hydrophobic]] [[chemical substance|chemicals]] such as [[steroid hormone]]s can be [[absorption (skin)|absorbed]] into the body after being applied to the skin in the form of a [[cream (pharmaceutical)|cream]], [[gel]] or [[lotion]]. [[Transdermal patch]]es have become a popular means of administering some [[drug]]s for [[birth control]], [[hormone replacement therapy]], and prevention of [[motion sickness]].
In [[dentistry]], a topical medication may also mean one that is applied to the surface of [[tooth|teeth]].
[[Chloramphenicol]] is an example of an [[antibiotic]] that may be used topically.
==References==
*[[Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics]]
*Dr. David Edwards - Dentistry Microbiology Lecture series
[[Category:Medical terms]]
[[Category:Pharmacology]]
{{pharma-stub}}
[[de:Topische Anwendung]]
[[zh:外用]]