In-depth Notes on Inorganic Pharmaceuticals

Chapter 3: Inorganic Pharmaceuticals

Overview of Inorganic Pharmaceuticals

• Focus on pharmaceutical formulations, market preparations, storage conditions, and uses.
  • Haematinics:
  • Ferrous Sulphate
  • Ferrous Fumarate
  • Ferric Ammonium Citrate
  • Ferrous Ascorbate
  • Carbonyl Iron
  • Gastro-intestinal Agents: Antacids
  • Aluminium Hydroxide Gel
  • Magnesium Hydroxide
  • Magaldrate
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Acidifying Agents, Adsorbents, Protectives, Cathartics
  • Topical Agents:
  • Silver Nitrate
  • Ionic Silver
  • Chlorhexidine Gluconate
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Boric Acid
  • Bleaching Powder
  • Potassium Permanganate
  • Dental Products:
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Sodium Fluoride
  • Denture Cleaners
  • Denture Adhesives
  • Mouth Washes
  • Medicinal Gases:
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Oxygen

Haematinics

• Definition: Drugs used to increase haemoglobin concentration in the blood or to treat anaemia (mainly iron deficiency).
• Examples of Haematinics:
  1. Ferrous Sulphate
  2. Ferrous Fumarate
  3. Ferric Ammonium Citrate
  4. Ferrous Ascorbate
  5. Carbonyl Iron

Ferrous Sulphate

• Also known as green vitriol.

• Composition:

  • At least 98% ferrous ions (Fe).
  • Not more than 103.3% FeSO₄·7H₂O.

• Preparation:

  1. Reaction with dilute sulfuric acid:
     Fe + H₂SO₄
     ightarrow FeSO₄ + H₂
  2. Filter and cool to form green crystals.
  3. Protect from oxidation.

• Chemical Properties:

  1. Decomposition when heated:
     FeSO₄ + 7H₂O
     ightarrow FeSO₄(anhydrous) + 7H₂O
  2. Acts as a reducing agent (reduces ferric compounds).
  3. Forms double salts (e.g., with ammonium sulfate).

• Market Preparations:

  • BProtected Pedia Iron
  • FeroSul
  • Iron Supplement
  • Fer In Sol
  • Ferrousul
  • Slow Fe

• Uses:

  1. Treatment of Iron-Deficiency Anaemia.
  2. Industrial uses (dyeing, ink component).
  3. Agricultural use (insecticide).

Ferrous Fumarate

• Introduction: Salt form of iron.

• Preparation:

  1. Water-soluble ferrous salt with fumaric acid in aqueous media, above 70°C.
  2. Heated metallic iron with fumaric acid while excluding air.

• Physical Properties:

  • Reddish-brown powder, odorless, basic, hardly soluble in water.

• Uses:

  1. Treatment of pernicious anaemia.
  2. Alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate ferrous salts.

Ferric Ammonium Citrate

• Definition: Complex salt containing 20.5-22.5% iron.

• Preparation:

  1. Add alkali to ferric salt (e.g., ferric sulfate) to form ferric hydroxide.
  2. Dissolve in citric acid and filter.

• Uses:

  • Acts as a haematinic, source of iron for treating iron-deficiency anaemia.

Carbonyl Iron

• Definition: An iron replacement product essential for red blood cell production.
• Pharmaceutical Formulations:
  • Available as tablets and oral suspensions.

Antacids

• Definition: Substances used to neutralize excess stomach acid, preventing pain, ulcers, and inactivation of digestive enzymes.
• Ideal Properties of Antacids:
  • Non-absorbable, quick action, maintain pH between 4-6, inhibit pepsin activity, and palatable.

Classification of Antacids:

A) Systemic Antacids (e.g., Sodium Bicarbonate)
B) Non-Systemic Antacids (e.g., Aluminium Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide).

Aluminium Hydroxide Gel

• Preparation:
  • By precipitation method (reaction of aluminium salts with ammonia).
• Properties:
  • White gel, soluble in acids and alkalis, acts as a buffer.

Magnesium Hydroxide

• Commonly known as Milk of Magnesia.
• Pharmaceutical Formulations:
  • Available in chewable tablets and suspensions.

Sodium Bicarbonate

• Uses:
  1. As an antacid for acid indigestion.
  2. To treat metabolic acidosis and for urinary alkalinization.

Calcium Carbonate

• Uses:
  1. Rapid antacid action, neutralizes gastric acid.
  2. Used in dental products and as a calcium supplement.