Finger-tip unit in Indian scenario: Is it relevant?

Objectives: Topical corticosteroids are probably the most widely used therapeutic medication in dermatology. Its anti-inflammatory activity and its easy availability have led to abuse of the drug. Finger-tip unit (FTU) was introduced as a method of drug delivery to aid in the efficient administration of drugs. The study is designed to assess the accuracy of FTU as a drug dosing measure. The objective of our study is to assess the accuracy of FTU as a drug dosing measure in the Indian scenario. Materials and Methods: Nozzle sizes of collected tubes were estimated with the help of Vernier calipers. The weight of the drug expressed in each FTU of different tubes was estimated with a calibrated digital weighing scale. Tubes were pressed both distally and proximally. Results: Statistical analysis showed a mean outer diameter of 0.492 cm and inner diameter of 0.342, which gives a standard deviation of 0.0408 and 0.1213, respectively, between different tubes. Most of the tubes following puncturing have a different diameter as compared to the standard. The weight of the drug expressed in each FTU was highly variable. Different tubes had different amounts of drug expressed, ranging from 0.316 g to 0.92 g. Even the same tubes while pressing proximally and distally showed a difference. Conclusion: In the Indian market, steroid delivery tubes differ widely in the amount of drug that they disperse per FTU, making it unreliable as a standardized drug delivery method.