Liquid Dosage Forms and Solvents

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing classification, components, solvents, and formulations of pharmaceutical liquid dosage forms.

Pharmaceutical Solutions

Liquid preparations that contain one or more chemical substances dissolved in a suitable solvent or mixture of mutually miscible solvents.

Syrups

Concentrated aqueous preparations of a sugar or sugar substitute with or without flavoring agents and medicinal substances.

Elixirs

Clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solutions intended for oral use, usually flavored to enhance palatability.

Spirits

Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances, generally having an alcoholic concentration over $60\%$.

Aromatic Waters

Clear, aqueous solutions saturated with volatile oils or other aromatic or volatile substances.

Tinctures

Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions prepared from vegetable materials or chemical substances, containing alcohol in amounts ranging from approximately $15\%$ to $80\%$.

Saturated Solution

A solution state achieved when a solvent at a given temperature has dissolved all of the solute possible.

Positive Heat of Solution

The thermochemical property of a substance absorbing heat when it dissolves in a solvent.

Alcohol, USP

Ethyl alcohol ($C_2H_5OH$) containing $94.9\%$ to $96.0\%$ $C_2H_5OH$ by volume (v/v) determined at $15.56^\circ\text{C}$.

Dehydrated Alcohol, USP

An alcoholic solvent containing not less than $99.5\%$ $C_2H_5OH$ by volume, used when an essentially water-free alcohol is desired.

Diluted Alcohol, NF

A hydroalcoholic solvent prepared by mixing equal volumes of Alcohol, USP, and Purified Water, USP, having a final strength of approximately $49\%$.

Rubbing Alcohol

A preparation containing about $70\%$ ethyl alcohol by volume with water, denaturants, perfume oils, and stabilizers, used externally as a rubefacient, soothing rub, germicide, and skin cleanser.

Glycerin, USP

A clear, syrupy liquid ($CH_2OH\cdot CHOH\cdot CH_2OH$) with a sweet taste, miscible with water and alcohol, serving as a solvent, stabilizer, and auxiliary solvent.

Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

A preparation containing about $70\%$ by volume isopropyl alcohol ($C_3H_8O$) with water, used externally as a rubefacient, soothing rub, and vehicle for topical products.

Propylene Glycol, USP

A viscous, colorless, and hygroscopic liquid ($CH_3CH(OH)CH_2OH$) miscible with water and alcohol, frequently substituted for glycerin in modern pharmaceutical formulations.

Purified Water, USP

Water obtained by distillation, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis containing less than $0.1\%$ total solids, which yields not more than $0.001\%$ residue ($1\,\text{mg}$ per $100\,\text{mL}$) upon evaporation.

Oral Rehydration Solutions

Isotonic solutions formulated with optimal concentrations of $110\,\text{mM}$ ($2\%$) glucose and $60\,\text{mEq/L}$ sodium ion to replace fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhea.

Oral Colonic Lavage Solution

An iso-osmotic solution containing balanced electrolytes and polyethylene glycol (PEG-3350-Electrolyte Solution) administered orally to evacuate the bowel prior to gastrointestinal procedures.

Magnesium Citrate Oral Solution

A colorless to slightly yellow effervescent liquid with a sweet, acidulous taste and lemon flavor, utilized as a saline cathartic.

Sodium Citrate and Citric Acid Oral Solution

An oral solution administered in doses of $10$ to $30\,\text{mL}$ up to four times daily as a systemic alkalinizer to maintain alkaline urine.

Syrup, NF

Also called simple syrup, an aqueous sucrose solution with a specific gravity of about $1.313$, where each $100\,\text{mL}$ weighs $131.3\,\text{g}$.

Sprays

Aqueous or oleaginous solutions applied topically in coarse droplets or finely divided solids to the skin or nasopharyngeal tract.

Aluminum Acetate Topical Solution

A liquid preparation applied topically as an astringent wash or wet dressing after dilution with $10$ to $40$ parts of water.

Calcium Hydroxide Topical Solution

Also known as Limewater, an astringent solution that must be stored in well-filled, tightly stoppered containers in a cool place to deter carbon dioxide absorption.

Coal Tar Topical Solution

An alcoholic solution containing $20\%$ coal tar and $5\%$ polysorbate 80, used as a local anti-eczematic in external treatment of chronic skin conditions.

Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution

A local anti-infective solution containing $2.5\%$ to $3.5\%$ (w/v) $H_2O_2$ for topical use on skin and mucous membranes.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution

A broad-spectrum antiseptic used as a surgical scrub and skin cleanser, approved as the first prescription-only antiplaque, antigingivitis drug.

Povidone Iodine Topical Solution

A chemical complex of iodine with polyvinylpyrrolidone containing approximately $10\%$ available iodine, employed topically as a surgical scrub and nonirritating antiseptic.

Thimerosal Topical Solution

A water-soluble organic mercurial antibacterial agent providing bacteriostatic and mild fungistatic properties, sensitive to light exposure.

Iodine Tincture

A local anti-infective containing $2\%$ iodine crystals and $2.4\%$ sodium iodide in a solvent containing $44\%$ to $50\%$ alcohol diluted with purified water.

Compound Benzoin Tincture

A protectant solution prepared by maceration of $10\%$ benzoin in alcohol, used to protect and toughen skin in conditions such as bedsores and fissures.

Liniments

Alcoholic or oleaginous solutions or emulsions of medicinal substances intended to be rubbed on the skin for rubefacient, counterirritant, or massage purposes.

Collodions

Liquid preparations composed of pyroxylin (nitrocellulose) dissolved in a solvent mixture of alcohol and ether, leaving an occlusive protective film on the skin after evaporation.