GC: adj, n

S: NCBI – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK361003/ (last access: 22 June 2024); EMA – https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/draft-guideline-quality-and-equivalence-topical-products_en.pdf (last access: 22 June 2024).

N: 1. Adjective. 1580s, “of or pertaining to a place or a locality; geographically local;” see topic + –al (1). The specific medical sense “applied to a particular part of the body” is from c. 1600. The meaning “of or pertaining to topics of the day” is from 1873.

The earliest use in English was philosophical (late 15c.), of arguments, “pertaining to or proceeding from a topic (category),” thus “derived from a widely believed but unproven assumption,” from Medieval Latin topicalis. Related: Topically.

2. As an adjective.

I. [more topical; most topical] : relating to current news or events : dealing with things that are important, popular, etc., right now. Examples: topical issues/themes; a topical reference; topical humor.

II. medical : made to be put on the skin. Examples: topical lotions/creams; a topical drug/treatment.
Apply the medicine topically.

3. As a noun.
Some cases of psoriasis and certain other refractory dermatoses may be treated more effectively by the application of triamcinolone acetonide topicals under an occlusive nonpermeable dressing such as Saran Wrap.

4. Medication and Veterinary Drugs: As an adjective. Said of a drug applied to a certain area of the skin and affecting only the area to which it is applied.

5. Pharmacology: Applied to a certain area of the skin and affecting only the ((surface)) area to which it is applied.

6. for external use, for external use only or to be used externally (uso tópico, in Spanish).

S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=topical (last access: 22 June 2024). 2. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/topical (last access: 22 June 2024). 3&4. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=topical&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 22 June 2024). 5. GDT – https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/17042762/topique (last access: 22 June 2024). 6. Cosnautas/Libro rojo (last access: 22 June 2024); FCB.

SYN: topical drug, topical agent.

S: TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=topical&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 22 June 2024)

CR: drug product