Pharmaceutical Technology - Solutions Quiz

Pharmaceutical Technology - Solutions

• Solutions are liquid pharmaceutical preparations containing one or more pharmaceutical substances dissolved in one or more suitable solvents.
• A single phase system.

General Procedure for Simple Solutions

• Weigh the solid ingredient and place it in a beaker.
• Subtract the liquid ingredient volume from 3/4 of the total volume.
• Dissolve the solid ingredients in the remaining vehicle.
• Add the liquid ingredient.
• Transfer the beaker's contents into a measuring cylinder, filling it to the required volume with the vehicle.
• Transfer the contents to a wide-mouthed bottle with the correct label (pink for external use, white for internal use).
• The label should include: name of the prescription, doctor's name, patient's name, date, and intended use (external or internal).

Standard Solutions (Stock Solutions)

• Solutions of known concentration.
• Used to prepare weaker solutions.

Types of Solutions

• Solutions of liquid in liquid (e.g., alcohol in water).
• Solutions of gas in liquid (e.g., ammonia solution).
• Solutions of solid in liquid (e.g., NaCl in water).

Classification of Solutions According to Method of Preparation

• Simple solution method.
• Chemical reaction.
• Sterilization (e.g., ophthalmic solutions).
• Extraction.

Classification of Solutions According to Composition

• Syrups (aqueous solution containing sugar).
• Elixirs (combination of water and alcohol).
• Spirits (solution of aromatic material; alcohol solvent).
• Aromatic waters (solution of aromatic material; water solvent).
• Tinctures or fluid extracts.
• Injections (sterile, pyrogen-free, for parenteral administration).

Notes on Preparing Solutions

• Reduce particle size (e.g., using a mortar and pestle) to increase solubility.
• Choose the better solvent if there are multiple solvents.
• Don't use a stirrer for very fine particles, instead use a circulating beaker.
• Allow any gas to escape.
• Use specific methods to increase solubility (e.g., pH or complexation).

Rx (Carminative Mixture for Infants/Adults)

• Includes components like sodium bicarbonate, aromatic spirit of ammonia, compound tincture of cardamom, glycerin, peppermint water, and others.
• Specific quantities (in grams and milliliters) are listed for each ingredient.
• Calculations are often needed to determine the precise amounts of ingredients.
• Glycerin is a soothing and sweetening agent in the mixture.

Iodine Solutions

• Aqueous iodine solution (Lugol's solution).
• Weak iodine solution (Lugol's solution with reduced concentration).
• Strong iodine solution.
• Mandel's paint (throat paint)

Nasal Drops

• Aqueous or oily solutions for application to the nasal passages.
• Often used for antiseptic, analgesic, or vasoconstrictor properties.
• Should be isotonic with nasal secretions and have the same pH.
• Include components like Ephedrine HCL, NaCl, Chlorobutol.

Ear Drops

• Aqueous or oily solutions applied to the ear using a dropper.
• Used as antibiotics, wax softeners, cleansers, or other purposes.
• Components include Sodium bicarbonate, glycerine, and distilled water.

Gargles

• Diluted aqueous solutions for treatment of the pharynx and nasopharynx.
• Components include potassium chlorate, patent blue, liquid phenol.
• Typically held in the throat for a short period, then expelled.
• May contain anti-inflammatory or antiseptic properties.

Mouth Wash

• Aqueous solutions primarily used for their deodorizing, refreshing, or antiseptic properties.
• Often contains alcohol, glycerin, sweetening agents, and flavourings.
• Ingredients include sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and peppermint water.

Syrups

• Sweet, viscous aqueous liquids used as vehicles for medicinal substances.
• Either medicated or non-medicated.
• Contain sucrose or artificial sweeteners.
• Used for their taste masking qualities.

Fermentation of Sucrose

• Sucrose, as a carbohydrate, provides nutrients for microorganisms (like molds, yeasts) leading to changes in color, odor, and taste.
• Microbial growth is inhibited by high sucrose concentration

Hydrolysis of Sucrose

• Acid-catalyzed reaction into dextrose and fructose.
• Invert sugars are the formed sugars.

Storage of Syrups

• Syrups should be stored in tightly closed containers at room temperature or refrigerated.

Ipecac Syrup/ Tolu Balsam Syrup/ Simple Syrup

• Syrup formulations with various ingredients with specific uses (expectorant, etc.).
• Use specific methods of preparation (dissolving ingredients in water, mixing, and then adding the solvent).

Spirits

• Mostly alcoholic solutions of volatile principles (e.g., volatile oils).
• Classified into therapeutic or flavoring spirits.
• Used to dissolve volatile substances.
• Include specifics components and uses.

Elixirs

• Usually clear, sweet, hydroalcoholic solutions for oral use.
• Frequently contain flavorings to improve palatability.
• A vehicle for medicinal substances.
• Include various solvent, preservatives, and sweeteners

Suspensions

• Finely divided drug particles (i.e., suspensoids) dispersed in a vehicle in which the drug has limited solubility.
• Used to stabilize insoluble or unstable drugs.
• Provide certain advantages to oral medications.
• Important features for pharmaceutical suspensions include slow settling rate, ready redispersal, consistent particle size, and pour ability.
• Factors affecting sedimentation rate include particle size, density, and viscosity of the medium.
• Preparation methods include grinding and dispersing the solids followed by adding the solvent.
• Contain suspending agents to improve stability.

Suspension Containing Poorly Wettable Solids

• Solids may tend to clump or float rather than uniformly distributing as in suspension.
• Wetting agents are required to help these materials mix into the vehicle better, include surfactants.

Suspension of Oil in Inhalation

• Specifically used for inhalations (e.g., respiratory treatments).
• Mixture of volatile oil, a dispersing agent (e.g., a powdered substance) and a vehicle (liquid).

Suspension Produced by Chemical Reaction

• Certain suspensions are created when chemical reagents are mixed, forming an insoluble product.
• Example is the preparation of white lotion from a chemical reaction between zinc sulfate and potassium sulfide solutions.