Pharmaceutical Suspensions Overview

<p>Flocculated suspensions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>High viscosity for easy administration (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A dispersion system with solid particles greater than 1 µm in a liquid phase (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Homogeneous solution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Particles are above colloidal size (greater than 1 µm) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Colloids (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Creating a homogenous solution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Particle sizes greater than 10 µm can cause irritation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To prevent changes in particle size distribution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They can lead to crystal growth and change in particle size. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Between 1 to 10 microns. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It delays crystal growth and dissolution. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Maintaining a narrow particle size distribution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They may change to a less soluble form, affecting distribution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It may lead to inconsistent drug delivery and effectiveness. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Suspensions are more stable than solutions especially for easily degraded drugs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It provides a desired high surface area for drug action. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It can prolong the action of the drug and improve stability. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Varying particle size can control the duration of activity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Aluminum/magnesium hydroxide suspension (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Calcipotriene-Betamethasone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fixed oils such as sesame or arachis oils (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solutions may cause more rapid hydrolysis of the drug. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A type of pharmaceutical dosage form where solid drug particles are dispersed in a liquid medium, usually water.

Solid particles dispersed in the liquid phase that are larger than 1 micrometer.

The liquid phase in which the solid particles are dispersed. Example: Water, oil.

Solid particles that are dispersed in the liquid medium.

A phase of drug development where the physicochemical properties of the drug are studied before formulating the suspension.

A mixture of finely divided, insoluble solid particles (dispersed phase) dispersed throughout a liquid (dispersion medium).

Suspensions where the dispersed solid particles remain separate (unclumped).

Suspensions where the dispersed solid particles clump together to form larger, loosely packed aggregates.

These suspensions are pre-made and ready-to-use, ideal for drugs that are stable in solution.

These suspensions require reconstitution with a liquid before use, typically used for drugs that are unstable in solution.

The size of solid drug particles in a suspension influences its texture, injection safety, and needle blockage. Ideal particle size is less than 10 µm to avoid gritty texture and blockages.

A suspension's particle size distribution should be consistent across batches to ensure consistent drug solubility and bioavailability.

Using a stable form of the drug prevents changes in particle size over time. Metastable forms can dissolve and then crystallize out, leading to changes in particle size distribution.

Temperature fluctuations can cause crystal growth in suspensions, changing the particle size distribution. Solubility increases with temperature, but crystals can form during cooling.

To control crystal growth and maintain a consistent particle size distribution, increase the viscosity of the suspension liquid.

Using a narrow range of particle sizes in a suspension helps to ensure consistent drug solubility and bioavailability.

Aerosol suspensions are like regular suspensions, but they also contain propellants. These suspensions are often used for inhalation treatments.

The preformulation phase of suspension development involves selecting the right particle size, ensuring stable drug forms, and controlling temperature fluctuations to prevent changes in particle size distribution.

Formulating a drug as a suspension can improve its stability in solution, especially for those that degrade rapidly in water. This is achieved by decreasing the contact between the drug particles and the liquid, resulting in a slower breakdown.
For instance, Oxytetracycline HCl is unstable in water, but its calcium salt, when formulated as a suspension, exhibits much better stability.

Suspensions offer a way to deliver poorly soluble drugs in a finely divided form. This is advantageous in situations where a high surface area of the drug is required for optimal effectiveness.
Examples include adsorbing toxins in diarrhea with kaolin-pectin suspension and neutralizing excess stomach acid with antacids like aluminum/magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate/trisilicate.

Topical suspensions, also known as lotions, are often used for external application.
They provide a controlled and even distribution of the active ingredient on the skin, making them suitable for treating skin conditions.

Parenteral suspensions, given by injection, can be formulated to either slow down the absorption of the drug, extending its action, or enhance its stability. The choice depends on the desired outcome. For example, Benzathine Penicillin is often formulated as a suspension due to its extended action.

Parenteral suspensions can be adjusted to provide varying durations of action depending on the particle size of the drug. Larger particles will release the drug more slowly, extending the duration of action.
This allows for controlled release of the drug, achieving specific therapeutic goals.

Formulating a drug in a suspension using different vehicles can significantly alter its release rate and duration of action.
For instance, an aqueous vehicle tends to lead to faster diffusion in the muscles, while using fixed oils like arachis or sesame oil can significantly extend the duration of drug activity.

Suspensions can sometimes be a better choice than solutions for delivering drugs, especially when dealing with poorly soluble compounds, drugs prone to degradation, or those requiring a controlled release profile.

Suspensions are versatile drug delivery systems that offer several advantages in pharmaceutical applications. They are useful for improving stability, increasing surface area for better interaction, and controlling drug release. This makes them a valuable tool for maximizing drug effectiveness and optimizing treatment strategies.