Final answer:
The major disadvantages of cream, patch, drops, or suppository formulations include complications like irritation and slow healing blisters, compatibility issues with compounds, increased potential for drug-drug interactions, difficulties in proper administration, and challenges in bioanalysis of multiple analytes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of cream, patch, drops, or suppository formulations in medical treatments presents several disadvantages. One major drawback is the potential for complications such as severe skin, eye, and mucosal pain and irritation, skin erythema with fluid blisters that may heal slowly and become infected. Compounds must be compatible within the dosing solution administered, which can be challenging especially when preparing formulations that include multiple compounds or New Chemical Entities (NCEs).
Additionally, the co-administration of NCEs can significantly increase the potential for drug-drug interactions (DDI). This complexity also extends to the bioanalysis of multiple analytes, where accurately measuring the concentration of each component in the body can be substantially more challenging. Furthermore, patients may face difficulties in administering these treatment forms correctly, such as determining the proper amount of cream to use, which can be aided by the finger tip unit concept for creams applied to mucous membranes or the skin.
Lastly, the physical properties of creams, such as oil-in-water (O/W) or water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, affect their comfort and ease of use. O/W creams are typically preferred because they are less greasy and easily washed off, while W/O creams can provide better moisturizing effects but are more difficult to handle due to their greasy nature.