These drugs donot belongs to topical route of administration. Ointments, creams, oily preparation, eye & ear drops are faal into this category. Topiclas are generally applied externally, such as skin, eye etc.

Thanks for the quick response. But I put this question in discussion to know more unusual use of the word topical in pharmacology book. "Topical delivery of drugs to the lungs can be accomplished by use of aerosols." which I have taken from a standard pharmacology book. Does here also the topical means applied externally?

As I think the sentence that you have written, indicates that when some drugs are taken through Aerosol, they will directly act on Lungs (in stomach for neutrilizing the acid) without absorbed in Systemic circulation.

So, here topically doesn't means externally only but it indicates on application of drug on surface without entering in Systemic circulation...

Thanks Tejas. You are absolutely right that the above sentence or in case of antacids, they are acting locally. Drugs can be applied topically for both local effect(e.g clotrimazole ointment for tinea corporis) and systemic effect(e.g Transdermal patches).

yeah, in the 'above sentence',the drug is for local effect on lungs but regarding ROA, if the author has mentioned parenteral or its sub class inhalational delivery, it would have not created confusion especially to new students in pharmacology/pharmacy.

Neither treatment is considered topical. There are some systemic effects from inhaled substances, such as beta agonists, which may cause nervousness or anxiety. Antacids are swallowed and their activity takes place in the stomach, which is a part of the GI tract.

" pertaining to a drug or treatment applied to the surface of a part of the body."

Many years ago in a biology class, the professor tried to make the point that the GI tract could be considered an external part of the body in a physical sense, since it is only protected externally by a few sphincter muscles. Maybe so, but in pharmacy, pharmacology, dermatology, etc. we don't consider internal organs as "topical" surfaces.