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A Study of the Percutaneous Absorption from Topically Applied Zinc Oxide Ointment

1983; Wiley; Volume: 7; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/0148607183007002131

1941-2444

John E. Derry, William M. McLean, Joel B. Freeman,

Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology

The systemic absorption from topical applications of 40% zinc oxide ointment was investigated in a series of healthy subjects (phase one) and in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (phase two). In the first phase, six subjects completed a controlled, cross‐over trial involving 3 hourly serum sample determinations for zinc concentration following a massive application of 40% zinc oxide ointment and plain petrolatum ointment. There was a mean increase in serum zinc from 107.3 ± 5.32 to 116.1 ± 5.02 μg/dL 1 hr after application of 40% zinc oxide ointment ( p > 0.05). Three patients receiving total parenteral nutrition completed phase two of the protocol in which 40% zinc oxide ointment was applied daily to a specified area of the thigh. Analysis of these patients' serum revealed that the zinc concentrations remained relatively constant over the 10‐day study period. These findings suggest that topical applications of 40% zinc oxide ointment do not result in significant absorption. This study serves as a starting point for further investigation.