Pharmaceutics 1: Fundamental Operations in Compounding

10 Questions

Match the following processes with their descriptions:

Dry Grinding = Breaking the ingredient in a mortar & pestle. Wet Grinding = Preparing aqueous suspensions.

Match the following processes with their applicable method:

Dry Grinding = Done by compression and attrition. Wet Grinding = Involves making paste and grinding in mortar.

Match the following processes with their respective benefits:

Size Reduction = Facilitates dissolution. Dry Grinding = Prevents grittiness and irritation.

Match the following terms with their correct definitions:

Size Reduction = The process of reducing drugs into smaller pieces. Wet Grinding = Medicaments rubbed with warm base on a warm tile.

Match the following grinding types with their specific uses in preparation:

Dry Grinding = Used for dry substances. Wet Grinding = Used for semi-solid preparations.

Match the following benefits with the related process:

Promotes Mixing = Size Reduction Compression and Attrition = Dry Grinding

Match the following size reduction benefits with their application:

Increases rate of absorption = Suitable for GIT Prevents grittiness = Suitable for mucus membranes

Match the following terms with the respective description:

Dry Grinding = Involves compression in a mortar. Wet Grinding = Involves making paste with water.

Match the following processes with their respective grinding methods:

Dry Grinding = Done with mortar and pestle. Wet Grinding = Involves warm tile or warm mortar.

Match the following advantages with the appropriate process of size reduction:

Facilitates dissolution = Size Reduction Involves warm base = Wet Grinding

Study Notes

Fundamental Operations in Compounding

Compounding and dispensing involve preparing medicines from basic ingredients in small quantities, requiring expertise in several fundamental operations.

Weighing

Weighing is a crucial step in pharmacy that depends on a thorough knowledge of balance, its principle, its care, and proper use.
The right-hand pan is used for weighing medicaments.
The minimum weighable quantity is 100 mg using a dispensing balance.

Measurement of Liquids

Measurement of liquids is done using cylindrical or conical measures, with conical measures being preferred due to ease of use and cleaning.
The minimum measureable quantity is 1 ml using a 10 ml conical measure, and up to 0.1 ml can be measured using a graduated glass pipette.

Dissolution

Dissolution involves dissolving solids in liquids to prepare solutions.
Solubility of a liquid in a given liquid can be increased by powdering the solid, agitating the solution, and increasing the temperature.
A conical flask is used as a vessel for making solutions due to its advantages, including easy agitation, heating, and cooling.

Technique of Dissolution

Powder the drug in a mortar and weigh the required quantity of the powdered drug.
Add the drug to a little volume of solvent in a conical flask and stir with a glass rod.
Agitate the solution and heat it if needed.
Bring the solution to room temperature by cooling.

Mixing and Mixtures

Mixing involves combining two or more compounds to form homogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures.
Mixtures can be categorized into four classes: mixtures of liquids, mixtures of liquids and solids, mixtures of solids, and mixtures of semisolids.

Mixtures of Liquids

Homogeneous mixtures of liquids, or solutions, contain readily miscible liquids.
Heterogeneous mixtures of liquids, or emulsions, involve mixing two immiscible liquids with suspending agents or emulsifiers.

Mixtures of Liquids and Solids

Homogeneous mixtures involve dissolution of a soluble solid into a liquid.
Heterogeneous mixtures, or suspensions, involve mixing a solid with a liquid, requiring proper mixing to obtain a stable suspension.

Mixtures of Solids

Mixing solids in a powder state is generally difficult and requires careful mixing in a mortar and pestle.

Filtration

Filtration is the process of removing solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing it through a porous medium.
The rate of filtration can be increased by increasing the surface area of the filter, reducing viscosity, and increasing pressure.

Mixtures Containing Semisolids

Mixing involves combining a solid and/or liquid into a base consisting of one or more semisolids, such as ointments, pastes, or suppositories.
The procedure involves preparing the base, incorporating solid ingredients, and incorporating liquids into the base.

Size Reduction

Size reduction, or comminution, is the process of reducing drugs into smaller pieces, which promotes mixing, suspending, and dissolution.
Size reduction can be achieved through dry grinding or wet grinding (levigation).
Dry grinding involves breaking ingredients in a mortar and pestle.
Wet grinding involves preparing aqueous suspensions and grinding in a mortar.