Dosage Lab - Module 2

Pharmaceutical Powder

A mixture of finely divided drugs from the comminution of chemicals in dry form - May be used internally or externally.

Advantages of Powders

Flexibility of compounding - Good chemical stability - Rapid dispersion due to small particle size.

Disadvantages of Powders

Time-consuming preparation - Inaccuracy of dose - Unsuitable for unpleasant-tasting, hygroscopic, and deliquescent drugs.

Particle Size of Powder

Determined by sieve size - Range from 0.1 to 10 microns - Expressed as mesh size (number of openings per inch).

Bulk Powder

Medicated powders present in large quantity - Limited to non-potent substances.

Divided Powder

Known as Chartulae - Dispensed in individual doses - Examples: dusting powder, oral powders, triturations, douche, insufflations, dentifrices.

Trituration

Continuous rubbing or grinding of powder in a mortar with pestle.

Levigating

Triturating with a levigating agent (mineral oil or glycerin) to prevent gritty feel in ointments or suspensions.

Pulverization by Intervention

Using a volatile solvent (alcohol or acetone) to dissolve a substance, then evaporating the solvent to get fine powder - Used for gummy substances (e.g., camphor).

Spatulation

Mixing powders on a paper or tile with a spatula - Useful for eutectic mixtures.

Geometric Dilution

Mixing a potent drug with a diluent in equal portions gradually until fully blended.

Sifting

Passing powders through sifters to mix - Produces a light and fluffy product.

Tumbling

Mixing powders in a rotating container or industrial blender.

Vegetable Parchment

Thin, semi-opaque, moisture-resistant paper.

White Bond Paper

Opaque - No moisture resistance.

Glassine Paper

Glazed, transparent, moisture-resistant.

Waxed Paper

Transparent, waterproof - Used for volatile substances.

Volatile Substances Issue

Use heat-sealed plastic bags or double wrap with waxed or glassine paper.

Liquids in Powders

Use absorbents such as magnesium carbonate, starch, or lactose.

Hygroscopic or Deliquescent Substances

Add inert diluents - Double wrapping is desirable.

Eutectic Mixtures

Add inert diluent such as light magnesium oxide or magnesium carbonate.

Route of Administration

Oral for systemic effect - Topical for local effect.

Granules

Dry aggregates of powder particles - May contain API and other ingredients - Particle size 4 to 10 mesh.

Advantages of Granules

Better flow properties - More stable - Less dust - Better compressibility - More uniform dosing - More elegant appearance.

Granulation Methods

Dry fusion (heat to remove water of hydration) - Wet fusion (add small water, then dry and grind).

Effervescent Granules

Contain sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, tartaric acid in ratio 1:2 - Release CO₂ when dissolved in water.

Capsules

Solid dosage forms with drug enclosed in a gelatin shell (hard or soft).

Hard Gelatin Capsules

Two parts: cap and body - Also called dry-filled capsules.

Soft Gelatin Capsules

Soft, globular, thicker than hard gelatin capsules - Also called soft elastic capsules.

Type A Gelatin

Acid processed - Derived from pork skin.

Type B Gelatin

Alkaline processed - Derived from bones and animal skins.

Components of Hard Gelatin Shell

Gelatin - Sugar - Water (12 to 16%) - Colorants - Opacifier (titanium dioxide).

Components of Soft Gelatin Capsule

Gelatin (35 to 45%) - Plasticizer (15 to 25%) - Water (40%) - Preservatives - Colorants - Opacifier.

Storage of Capsules

Contain 12 to 16% water - Protect from extremes of humidity and temperature.

Tablet

Solid dosage forms prepared with excipients - Vary in size, shape, weight, and hardness.

Tablet Components

Diluents such as lactose or starch - Binders such as gelatin or gums - Disintegrants such as sodium starch glycolate - Glidants such as talc - Lubricants such as magnesium stearate - Antiadherents such as magnesium stearate.

Coating Types

Sugar-coated - Film-coated - Enteric-coated.

Tablet Defects

Chipping (pieces broken out) - Cracking (split in center) - Capping (top separates) - Lamination (splits into layers).

Tablet Triturates

Small molded tablets with lactose base - Quickly dissolve - Used for potent drugs.

Pills

Small spherical or ovoid solid dosage forms for oral use - Now largely replaced by tablets and capsules.

Types of Pills

Compressed pills - Dispensing pills.

Components of Pills

API plus excipient (glucose, glycerin, powdered acacia, benzoic acid).

Classes by Weight

Parvules (≤20 mg) - Granules (20 to 60 mg) - Pills (60 to 500 mg) - Boluses (700 to 2000 mg for veterinary use).

Suppositories

Solid dosage forms for insertion into body orifices - Melt or dissolve to exert local or systemic effect.

Types of Suppositories

Rectal - Vaginal - Urethral.

Suppository Methods

Fusion - Hand rolling - Compression.

Glycerin Suppository Formula

Glycerin as active ingredient - Sodium carbonate and stearic acid as stiffeners - Distilled water as solvent.

ASPIRIN DIVIDED POWDER

Synonyms: Aspirin charts, Aspirin chartulae - Use: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Antithrombotic - Container: Wax paper or re-sealable plastic - Storage: Room temperature.

SODIUM PHOSPHATE EFFERVESCENT GRANULE

Synonyms: Sodii phosphas effervescentes - Use: Saline laxative - Container: Wide-mouth bottle - Storage: Protect against humidity and air.

ACETAMINOPHEN CAPSULE

Synonyms: Paracetamol capsule - Use: Analgesic, Antipyretic - Container: Re-sealable plastic - Storage: Room temperature away from light and moisture.

TABLET TRITURATES

Synonyms: Molded Tablets, Tabella triturate, Tableta trituratii - Use: Tablet excipient and sweetener - Container: Wide-mouth container - Storage: Room temperature.

MAGNESIUM SULFATE PILLS

Synonyms: Sulfuric acid magnesium salt, Bitter salts, Epsom salt - Use: Saline laxative - Container: Wide-mouth container - Storage: Room temperature.

GLYCERIN SUPPOSITORY

Synonyms: Glycerol suppository - Use: Laxative - Container: Mold tray then wrapped properly - Storage: Cool dry place.