Medicines Design & Manufacture - Pharmaceutical Solutions

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to pharmaceutical solutions including their components, viscosity modifiers, types of mixtures, and rheological properties important in the design and manufacture of medicines.

Pharmaceutical Solution

A mixture of two or more components that form a single phase that is homogeneous down to the molecular level, where a solute is dissolved in a solvent.

Solute

The disperse phase that is dissolved in the solvent in a pharmaceutical solution.

Solvent

The dispersion medium in which the solute is dissolved in a pharmaceutical solution.

Viscosity Modifiers

Substances commonly used in pharmaceutical solutions to adjust the viscosity and improve stability.

Rheology

The study of the flow and deformation of materials, important for the design of medicines.

Suspension

A mixture in which solid particles are dispersed within a liquid.

Emulsion

A mixture in which a liquid is dispersed in another liquid.

Syrup

A liquid medicine containing a sugar solution for flavoring or preservation.

Elixir

A liquid containing a medicinal drug with syrup, glycerine, or alcohol added to mask its unpleasant taste.

Linctus

A syrupy medicinal preparation taken to relieve coughs and sore throats.

Isotonic Saline

A common aqueous solution used mainly as a decongestant for the common cold.

Polymer

Large molecules made up of repeating units, used as viscosity enhancers in pharmaceutical solutions.

Newtonian Fluid

A fluid that has a constant viscosity regardless of the shear rate.

Pseudoplastic Fluid

A fluid whose viscosity decreases with an increase in shear rate.

Dilatant Fluid

A fluid that becomes thicker (more viscous) as the shear rate increases.

Shear Rate

A measure of the rate of deformation of a fluid under shear stress.