53 Questions
What is the purpose of suppositories?
They are used to deliver both systemically and locally acting medications
How are rectal suppositories usually inserted?
With the fingers
What is the typical weight of adult rectal suppositories?
Varies depending on the medicaments
What is the shape of rectal suppositories?
Cylindrical with both ends tapered
What is the primary requisite for a suppository base?
It should remain solid at room temperature
What is the advantage of using cocoa butter as a suppository base for water-soluble drugs?
It leads to good release results
Why is cocoa butter considered the superior base for relieving irritation or inflammation in anorectal disorders?
It has a spreading action
Which type of suppository bases dissolve slowly in body fluids?
Glycerinated gelatin bases
Which type of base is Witepsol?
Fatty base
What is the main ingredient in glycerinated gelatin suppositories?
Glycerin
Why are glycerinated gelatin-based suppositories prone to absorbing moisture?
Because of the hygroscopic nature of glycerin
Why is the glycerinated gelatin base commonly used in vaginal suppositories?
For prolonged local action of medicinal agent
What is the purpose of adding water to the suppositories prior to insertion?
To reduce the initial tendency of the base to draw water from the mucous membranes
What is the purpose of using various combinations of polyethylene glycols in suppositories?
To achieve a suppository base of desired consistency and characteristics
At what temperature do polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000) suppositories dissolve in the body's fluids?
-40°C - -63°C
Why do polyethylene glycol (PEG) suppositories not need to be formulated to melt at body temperature?
Because they are not intended to melt but dissolve slowly in the body's fluids
Rectal and vaginal routes are commonly used for systemic purposes.
False
Drugs that are destroyed by portal circulation may bypass the liver after rectal administration.
True
The rectal route is not convenient for patients who are unable or unwilling to swallow medication.
False
The rectal route is ineffective in the treatment of patients with vomiting.
False
Suppository molds are generally not opened for cleaning before and after preparation of a batch of suppositories
False
Plastic molds are less prone to scratching compared to stainless steel, aluminum, or brass molds
False
Suppositories may be prepared by forcing the mixed mass of the base and the medicaments into special molds using suppository-making machines
True
Hand rolling and shaping is a modern method of preparing suppositories
False
The pharmacist no longer needs to shape suppositories by hand due to the availability of molds.
True
The pharmacist must calculate the amounts of materials needed for the preparation of exactly the number prescribed of suppositories.
False
The volume of base required can be determined by subtracting the volume of drug substances from the total volume of the mold.
True
If the added amounts of medicaments are slight, they are always considered to be negligible in suppository preparation.
False
The displacement value (D.V) is defined as the quantity of base that displaces one part of the drug.
False
If the density of the drug is less than the density of the base, the drug will displace a low amount of base.
False
To calculate the quantity of base that the active medication will occupy, the method used is called Density factor.
False
If the density of the drug equals the density of the base, the drug will displace a higher amount of base.
False
What is the main constituent of cocoa butter?
Oleopalmito-stearin
At what temperature does cocoa butter melt, making it an ideal suppository base?
30°C to 36°C
What is the result of carelessly melting cocoa butter at a temperature greatly exceeding the minimum required temperature?
Formation of metastable crystalline form (alpha crystals) with a lower melting point
Why does cocoa butter exhibit marked polymorphism?
Due to its triglyceride content
What is a major advantage of using the rectal route for systemic effects over oral therapy?
Drugs irritating to the stomach may be given without causing such irritation.
Why is the rectal route advantageous for drugs destroyed or inactivated by the pH or enzymatic activity of the stomach or intestines?
Drugs destroyed or inactivated by the pH or enzymatic activity of the stomach need not be exposed to these destructive environment.
What permits the absorption of many soluble drugs for systemic effects in the rectal and vaginal routes?
The mucous membranes of the rectum and vagina
Why is the rectal route not frequently used for systemic purposes?
Vaginal route is more effective for systemic purposes.
What is the primary requisite for a suppository base?
Softens, melts, or dissolves readily at body temperature
Why is cocoa butter considered the superior base for relieving irritation or inflammation in anorectal disorders?
It has soothing, spreading action
What is the property of glycerinated gelatin and polyethylene glycol bases in relation to fat-soluble drugs?
They release fat-soluble drugs more readily
What is the displacement value (D.V) defined as?
The amount of base that displaces one part of the drug
What are the emulsifying properties of cocoa butter primarily useful for?
Relieving irritation and inflammation
How is the displacement value (D.V) used to calculate the amount of base needed for suppository preparation?
By dividing the weight of the drug by the displacement value
In suppository preparation, if the density of the drug is more than the density of the base, what is likely to happen?
The drug will displace a high amount of base
How can the displacement value for liquids be described?
Equals 1.0
What is the main purpose of the rectal route for drug administration?
To allow quick and complete drug release and absorption
Which property is NOT listed as a characteristic of the ideal suppository base in the text?
Incompatible with medicaments
What is the potential consequence of a base that irritates the mucous membranes of the rectum?
Colonic response and bowel movement
Why is it important to ascertain the absence of any drug interaction between the suppository base and medicinal agent?
To maintain stability and bioavailability of the drug
What role does the interaction between the base and drug play in drug absorption?
Impairs or prevents drug absorption
Test your knowledge on the different fatty bases, water-soluble, and water-miscible bases used in suppositories and inserts as outlined in Chapter 12. Explore commercial products such as Fattibase, Wecobee bases, and Witepsol bases.
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