Disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition for external application, an adhesive skin patch and others which are improved in a drug release property, transdermal absorbability and stability of a pharmacologically active ingredient contained therein and can reduce the aggravation of irritation to the skin. Specifically disclosed is an adhesive skin patch comprising a support and an adhesive layer laminated on the support, wherein the adhesive layer contains a pharmaceutical composition for external application. The pharmaceutical composition for external application comprises a pharmacologically active ingredient, an auxiliary component and a pyrrolidone compound, wherein one of the pharmacologically active ingredient and the auxiliary component has a carboxylate group in the molecule and the other has a hydroxy group in the molecule. Preferably, the adhesive layer further comprises a hydrogenated oil.