nontopical

Nontopical is an adjective that describes content, remarks, or material that is not related to the main topic of discussion. In general usage, it denotes information or discourse that lies outside the subject at hand and is therefore unrelated or tangential. In medical or pharmaceutical contexts, nontopical (often written as non-topical) refers to treatments or formulations that are not applied to the skin or mucous membranes, such as systemic medications or injections.

In discourse, nontopical is relatively rare and is typically supplanted by terms like off-topic or unrelated. When used, it serves to distinguish digressions or materials that do not address the subject under consideration. The term can appear in academic, editorial, or formal discussions to signal a shift away from the current topic, whether intentional or incidental.

Etymologically, nontopical is formed from the prefix non- plus topical. The spelling without a hyphen is common in many varieties of English, though some style guides may prefer non-topical in certain contexts. The sense is determined by domain: linguistically or rhetorically, it focuses on topic relevance; medically, it refers to routes of administration that do not involve topical application.

See also: topical, off-topic, non-topical in medical usage.