PHARMACEUTUICAL DOSAGE FORM & DDS
POWDERS Trituration- grinding a drug in a mortar;
- solid or mixture of solids reduced to a finely divided comminute and to mix powders
state and intended for internal or external use; Pulverization with Intervention- the material
- used to administer insoluble drugs such as to be added must be easily removed to help in
calomel, bismuth salts, mercury, and chalk; reduction;
- rapid onset because they are readily dispersed and Camphor- add 95% Alcohol to be soft
requires only dissolution
- should be placed in tight containers because the PARTICLE SIZE REDUCTION (Large Scales)
greater surface area they become more reactive in Use Mills and Pulverisers
nature
- mostly for paracheutic preparations BLENDING POWDERS
- Light powders should always go first before heavy
TOPICAL POWDERS powders
- should be free flowing, easy to adhere to the skin, Spatulation- useful for solid substances that
passed through at least 100-mesh sieve to are easy to liquefy; not suitable for large
minimize skin rotation quantities or for powders that contain potent
Mesh- number of holes in an inch; the substances; adds inert diluent (light magnesium
greater the mesh, the smaller the number of oxide or magnesium carbonate) to separate
holes troublesome agents
- products for open wound should be first sterilized to Trituration- the use of glass motor is highly
avoid infection e.g. TALC preferred particularly for stain-causing powders
- consists of a base or vehicle ( corn starch, talc), an Geometric Dilution- ensure the uniform
adherent (magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, distribution of the potent drug; wedge wood
zinc stearate), API and aromatic material mortar
Sifting- produces light fluffy products; not
INSUFFLATED POWDERS suitable for the incorporation of potent drugs
- intended to be applied on body cavities; anti- into a diluent powder
infective Tumbling- thorough but time consuming; use
Polyox- ethylene oxide polymer that forms a of motorized blades to blend powders in a large
viscous, adhesive gel when in contact with vessel
moisture; being incorporated with the
powder for long term drug delivery span POWDERED DOSAGE FORMS
PARTICLE SIZE AND ANALYSIS ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
- to determine the particle size, the methods use are Rapid dispersion of Unpleasant taste
sieving and microscopy (not fewer than 200 ingredients
particles in a single plane)
Good chemical stability Hygroscopic
Micrometrics- science of small particles; a characteristic
particle is any unit of matter having defined
It can be for internal or Time consuming
physical dimensions
external use preparation
Angle of Repose- estimating the flow
properties of a powder; powders with a low
Hygroscopic- absorb moisture from the air;
angle of repose flow freely, and powders
should be placed in a tight and closed amber
with a high angle of repose flow poorly
bottle
Deliquescent- absorb moisture from the air to
PARTICLE SIZE REDUCTION
the extent that they will partially or wholly
- reducing the size of the particle is important for a
liquefy
uniform distribution of powder
E.g. Pepsin, Zinc Chloride, Calcium Bromide
Comminution- reduction of the particle size
Efflorescent- crystalline powder that contains
of a solid substance to a finer state
water; use anhydrous salt
PARTICLE SIZE REDUCTION (Small Scales) Inhaled Powders- for asthma or bronchial
Levigation- for ointments and suspensions; diseases
addition of non-solvent (levitating agent) that Oral Powders- mixed with water; intended for
would form a paste then triturate; commonly local effects (laxatives) or systemic effects
used agents are MINERAL OIL and GLYCERIN
PHARMACEUTUICAL DOSAGE FORM & DDS
(analgesics) and may be preferred to - 4-12 mesh-sieve size
counterpart tablets and capsules - intermediates in capsules and tablets
AEROSOL POWDERS WET METHOD
- administered by inhalation with the aid of DPI (dry - usually used in granule preparation
powder inhalers) Fluid bed processing- particles are placed
- particle size range from 1-6 micrometre in a conical piece of equipment and are
- contain propellants (crystalline alpha-lactose dispersed and suspended while a liquid
monohydrate) to aid in formulation’s flow properties excipient is sprayed on the particles and the
and to protect the powder from humidity product dried, forming granules or pellets of
e.g. defined particle size
Advair Diskus- contain Fluticasone Propionate Povidone- most common binder
(bronchodilator)
Foradile Aerolizer- capsule; contain lactose DRY METHOD
(carrier) and Formoterol Fumarate, a receptor - forms granules without liquid (LOL)
agonist that act as bronchodilator - can be heat sensitive or moist
Relenza- for influenza; usual dose is two Roller Compactor- fine powder into
inhalations dense sheets or forms
Slugging- compression of a powder or
BULK POWDERS powder mixture into large tablets or slugs
- mostly antacids (sodium bicarbonate), laxatives on a compressing machine under 8,000 to
(psyllium), douche powders that are being 12,000 lbs. of pressure; slugs are about 2.5
dissolved in warm water for vaginal use, topical cm in diameter
anti-infective or antifungals and Brewer’s yeast
powder that contains Vit. B-complex CHARACTERISTICS OF GRANULES
- dispensing these powders are limited to non-potent - flow well compared to powders; commonly used in
substances tablet
- more stable in atmospheric humidity; less likely to
DIVIDED POWDERS cake
- taken or used at a single time - preferred for dry products intended to be
- should be placed on a powdered paper (chartula) constituted into solutions or suspensions
Simple Bond paper- not moisture resistant; Biaxin Granules- oral suspension
use only after wrapping the powder with a Lactinex Granules- treatment of
moisture-resistant paper uncomplicated diarrhea and diarrhea due to
Vegetable Parchment- semi-opaque paper antibiotic therapy
with moisture resistance; baking
Glassine- glazed, transparent paper and EFFERVESCENT GRANULATED SALTS
limited moisture resistance - contains a medicinal agent in a dry mixture usually
Waxed Paper- transparent, waterproof paper; composed of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and
used for volatile, hygroscopic and deliquescent tartaric acid
materials - liberates CO2 when added with water
- Tartaric acid is used as the sole acid, the resulting
QUALITY CONTROL granules readily lose their firmness and crumble.
Bulk Powders- pharmacist should compare Citric acid alone results in a sticky mixture difficult
the final weight of the preparation with the to granulate.
theoretical weight. The powder should be - not be swallowed directly
examined for uniformity of colour, particle
size, flow ability, and freedom from caking. PREPARATION
Divided Powders – same with bulk and the Dry/Fusion Method- citric acid acts as the
packets should be checked to confirm binding agent; mix powders in low humidity to
uniformity. avoid moisture absorption and premature chem
rxn; put in an oven, 34-40C then dried at 54C
GRANULES Wet Method- the water added to alcohol acts
- prepared agglomerates of smaller particles as the binding agent
- irregularly shaped but maybe prepared to be
spherical
