Medicated Powders for Oral Use

Medicated Powders for Oral Use

• Medicated powders for oral use can have local effects (e.g., laxatives) or systemic effects (e.g., analgesics).
• They may be preferred by patients who have difficulty swallowing solid dosage forms.
• Some drugs with bulky doses may be administered as powders, which can be mixed with a liquid or soft food.

Powders taken orally for systemic use

• Powders result in faster rates of dissolution and absorption than solid dosage forms.
• They have immediate contact with the gastric fluids.
• However, therapeutic response may be negligible or only minimal, depending on the drug release characteristics of counterpart products.

Primary Disadvantages of Oral Powders

• Unwanted taste of the drug.
• Antibiotics for children are oral powder or granules that are unstable in liquid form, but remain stable for up to 2 weeks when stored properly.

Characteristics of Oral Powders

• Composed of solid, loose, dry particles of varying degrees of fine particle size.
• Contain one or more active substances with or without excipients and approved colouring matter and flavouring.
• Generally administered with water or another suitable liquid, or swallowed directly.
• All powders and granules should be stored in a dry place to prevent deterioration due to moisture ingress.

Nasal Powder

• Medicated powders intended for inhalation into the nasal cavity using a suitable device.
• Potent drugs are presented this way because they are rapidly absorbed when administered as a fine powder via the nose.
• Delivery devices enhance convenience and ensure a uniform dose is delivered on each actuation.

Aerosol Powders

• Administered by inhalation with the aid of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which deliver micronized particles of medication in metered quantities.
• Used in the treatment of asthma and other bronchial disorders that require distribution of medication deep in the lungs.
• Particle size of the micronized medication is prepared in the range of 1 to 6 µm in diameter.

Components of Aerosols

• Inert propellants
• Pharmaceutical diluents (e.g., crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate) to aid flow properties, metering uniformity, and protect the powder from humidity.