Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Spirits are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances. The alcohol concentration is usually over 60%.
Sometimes spirits are also called essences.
Spirits can be used pharmaceutically as flavoring agents.
They can also be used medicinally for the therapeutic value of their aromatic solute.
Spirits can be taken orally (mixed with water to reduce pungency), applied topically, or inhaled.
Common spirits include aromatic ammonia spirit (oral carminative & antacid, inhalation for fainting), camphor spirit (topical relief of minor pains & aches), compound orange spirit (oral flavoring agent), and peppermint spirit (oral carminative & flavoring agent).
Compound orange spirit is made from oil of orange (20ml), oil of lemon (50ml), oil of coriander (20ml), oil of anise (5ml), and sufficient alcohol to make 1000ml.

Elixirs are clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solutions intended for oral use.
Elixirs are usually flavored to enhance palatability.
The main ingredients in elixirs are ethanol and water.
They often contain glycerin & propylene glycol as adjunct solvents.
Sweetening agents such as sucrose, saccharine, and sorbitol are common.
Flavoring and coloring agents are often included.
Elixirs are typically self-preserving due to the alcohol content (commonly over 10-12%).
Elixirs are prepared by mixing alcohol-soluble and water-soluble components separately, then combining them.
A frequent issue in elixir preparation is the separation of flavouring oils; this can be mitigated by allowing the mixture to settle and using a filter aid such as talc.

Phenobarbital elixir contains 4g of phenobarbital, 30ml tincture of orange peel, 10ml amaranth solution, 125ml alcohol, 150ml glycerin, 250ml syrup, and sufficient D.W. to make 1000ml.
Dosage: one tablespoonful at night.
The calculations involve determining the volume of solvent needed (750ml) and liquid ingredients amount (565ml) for initial dissolution (185ml).

Aromatic Elixir USP includes 12ml compound spirit of orange, 375ml syrup, 30g talc powder, 70% alcohol, and sufficient D.W. to make 1000ml.
Additional note: available alcohol is 90%.

Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures of solid particles dispersed in a liquid vehicle.
The solid particles are undissolved or immiscible in the liquid vehicle.
Advantages of suspensions include masking unpleasant drug tastes, effective dispensing for hydrophobic drugs, and easier swallowing for children and elderly patients.
The liquid vehicle can contain suspending agents and other excipients (sweeteners, pH adjusters, colorants, flocculating agents, surfactants).
Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures, scatter light, and particles can settle.
Suspensions usually require shaking to redisperse the particles before use.
Suspensions differ from solutions by their solid/liquid nature and lack of uniformity. Suspensions are often grouped, classified, or categorized by the route of administration, solid concentration, and electrokinetic properties.
Common suspending agents include tragacanth, gelatin, and methylcellulose.
A general procedure for making a suspension involves grinding, wetting, diluting, and finally adding up the components to the appropriate concentration and the mixture's final volume.

The propranolol suspension includes 40mg propranolol, 4.8ml D.W., 0.16ml citric acid solution 25%, and sufficient simple syrup to 40ml.
A procedure for creating the suspension involves crushing, levigating, adding syrup to achieve a smooth paste, transferring to a cylinder, rinsing to ensure all drug is dissolved, adjusting pH with citric acid, completing the volume with syrup, and transferring to an amber bottle.

This suspension contains 500mg aspirin, 1ml raspberry syrup, 2% compound tragacanth powder, 0.2ml benzoic acid, qs to 10ml PW, and 20ml mitt.
Usage: tsp tid
Procedure for preparing the aspirin suspension involves grinding aspirin and benzoic acid, mixing with tragacanth, adding a specific volume of water, adding benzoic acid and syrup, and completing to the final volume.