Final answer:
The transdermal patch is the topical dosage form that may show systemic side effects because it is designed to deliver medication through the skin into the bloodstream, potentially affecting the entire body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The topical dosage form that may show systemic side effects is the transdermal patch. Topical dosage forms like pastes, lotions, and liniments are generally intended for local effects on the area where they are applied. However, due to selective permeability, the transdermal patch is specifically designed to allow the medication to pass through the epidermis and into the bloodstream to exert systemic effects. This could be useful for the delivery of medication that treats conditions throughout the body such as nicotine for smoking cessation or hormones for replacement therapy. Nonetheless, with systemic absorption, there is also the potential for systemic side effects.
Other forms of topical medications that are designed to treat localized conditions, such as corticosteroid creams, may occasionally lead to systemic side effects due to absorption through the skin particularly if used extensively or over large areas.