2.

suspension
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 Suspension…
 A pharmaceutical suspension is defined as a preparation where at
least one of the active ingredients is suspended throughout the
vehicle.
 Dispersed system = dispersed phase(suspended) + dispersing
phase(vehicle).
 The particles of the dispersed phase are usually solid material that is
insoluble in the dispersion media.
 Common pharmaceutical products that are suspensions include: ear
drops , enemas , inhalations ,lotions , mixtures for oral use.

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 Suspension…
General methods of preparation of suspension
1. Carefully tare(calibrate) the container to the required volume
2. Finely powder any solid ingredient not already in fine powder
3. Mix the insoluble powders in a mortar adding first the ingredient of
Smallest bulk and diluting it with the others in increasing order of bulk using
amounts
approximately equal to bulk already in the mortar (geometric dilution).
5. Add enough vehicles to produce a smooth paste.
6. Add non-volatile solid ingredients dissolved in part of the vehicle and mix
well
7. Dilute with a vehicle until pourable. Examine the suspension critically and if
it contains
foreign particle strain through muslin. (Before use rinse the fabric with a little
vehicle to
detach loose fibers)
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 Suspension…
General methods of preparation of suspension…
8. Transfer it to the tarred bottle a measure is not used because
complete and accurate transfer of a suspension is not possible once it
has been made up to volume.
9. Add any volatile solid ingredients previously dissolved in some of the
vehicle and mix well.
10. Add any liquid ingredients raise the measures and mix well after
each addition.
11. Rinse the mortar and pestle with successive volumes of the vehicle
until they are quite clean transferring the rinsing to the bottle.
12. Make up to volume with the vehicle and shake thoroughlY

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 Suspension…
Ingredients which may be added to suspension.
1. Flocculating agents:-in suspension the solid particles are well dispersed in
dispersion medium ie. Vehicle.
 The dispersion can be improved by adding a surfactant which act as a
flocculating agent.
 The flocculating agents acts by reducing the surface tension and thereby
improving the dispersion of solid and minimize flocculation. Eg – sodium
lauryl sulphate, tweens, spans, carbowaxes
2. Thickening agents: - these are hydrophilic colloids which form colloidal
dispersion with water and increase the viscosity of continuous phase. So that the
solid particle remain suspended in it for sufficient long time to measure a
uniform accurate dose. Eg acacia, tragacanth, starch, sodium alginate, methyl
cellulose,
06/21/2025sodium carboxy methyl cellulose,
Ebrahim mohaclay, aluminum hydroxide. 5
 Suspension…
Ingredients which may be added to suspension.
3. Wetting agents: -reduce the interfacial tension b/n the solid particles and the
liquid medium.
 The excessive use of wetting agent may cause foaming or may give bad tastes
or odors to the suspension. Eg alcohol in tragacanth mucilage, glycerin in
sodium alginate, polysorbate in oral and parentral suspensions.
4. Preservatives:- preservative selected should be effective against a wide range
of micro organisms. Eg benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, methyl paraben, propyl
praben.
5. Organoleptic additive:- coloring agent, sweetening agents and flavoring
agents are generally incorporated in oral suspension.
 Suitable perfumes and color is incorporated in suspension which is meant for
external
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 Suspension…
 two types of pharmaceutical suspension: diffusible suspensions
andiffusable
A. diffusible suspensions
 These are suspensions containing light powders that are insoluble,
or only very slightly soluble, in the vehicle but which on shaking
disperse evenly throughout the vehicle for long enough to allow an
accurate dose to be poured

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 Contain insoluble powder substances which are light in weight and
readily mix with waters and remain suspended throughout the liquid
for sufficient long time after shaking.
 No needs of adding thickening agent.
Examples of diffusible powders commonly incorporated into
pharmaceutical suspensions include:
* Light Kaolin BP – insoluble in water
* Light Magnesium Carbonate BP – very slightly
soluble in water
* Magnesium Trisilicate BP – insoluble in water

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 Prepare and supply 50ml Pediatric Kaolin Mixture, BP 1988 suspension using the
following formula
Light kaolin ………………………………….200 g
Amaranth Solution…………………………….10ml
Benzoic Acid Solution………………………..20ml
Raspberry Syrup……………………………...200ml
Chloroform Water (D.S.)……………………..500ml
Water to ………………………………………1000ml
Send50 ml
Shake well before use
Storage: Unless the kaolin has been sterilized, the preparation should be
recently prepared.
Uses:- Anti diarrhea mixture for children. It Maintains fluid intake in diarrhea
Direction for use: 1tsp tid
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 Magnesium sulfate mixture BP.88 (magnesium sulfate oral suspension)

Ingredient Master formula Scaled quantities

Magnesium sulfate 400 g
light magnesium carbonate 50g
Concentrated peppermint emulsion 25g
Double strength chloroform water 300ml
Water FBC sufficient to produce 1000ml
Mitt 50ml
Sig. 10 ml t.i.d. shake the bottle before use

Compounding: first tare the final container and select a mortar of sufficient
size to allow for adequate mixing of the product. Mix the magnesium sulfate
and light magnesium carbonate in the mortar. This method is to be preferred
to making a separate solution of the magnesium sulfated which is time
consuming. Add enough vehicle to make a smooth paste and dilute with the
vehicle unit sufficiently pour able to transfer to the bottle. The volatile
peppermint emulsion should be added to the bottle before making up to final
volume.
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 Magnesium sulfate mixture BP.88 (magnesium sulfate oral suspension)...
 The mixture may also be prepared from a pre packed mix of the two powder ingredients
with the addition of the appropriate amount of peppermint emulsion and chloroform
water.
Storage and shelf life: the mixture should be recently prepared.
Container: amber medicine bottle.
Advice for patients when dispends: shake the bottle before use.
Actions and uses: as laxative.

B.Indiffusible suspensions
 These are suspensions containing heavy powders that are insoluble in the vehicle and
which on shaking do not disperse evenly throughout the vehicle long enough to allow an
accurate dose to be poured.
 Examples of indiffusible powders commonly incorporated into pharmaceutical suspensions
include:
* Aspirin BP
* Calamine BP
* Chalk BP
* Zinc Oxide BP.
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 B.Indiffusible suspensions…
 In the preparation of indiffusible suspensions, the main difference
from diffusible suspensions is that the vehicle must be thickened to
slow down the rate at which the powder settles. This is achieved by
the addition of a suspending agent.
Example, Phenolated Calamine Lotion USP
Ingredient Master formula Scaled quantities
Calamine 80g
Zinc oxide 80g
Bentonite 20g
Glycerin 20ml
Liquefied phenol 10ml
Calcium hydroxide solution to 1000ml
Mitt. 50ml
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 B.Indiffusible suspensions…
 Compounding: first tare the final container and select a large mortar.
Mix the dry powers in the mortar until evenly dispersed. It is
important that the Bentonite is well distributed in the in diffusible
powders. Use the calcium hydroxide solution to make a smooth
paste and to dilute the formed paste for transfer to the bottle. Add
the glycerol and liquid phenol to the bottle and make up to final
volume with the vehicle.
 Strong and shelf life: the preparation is stable cool storage is advised
because of the volatile preservative.
 Advice for patients when dispensed: shake the bottle for external
use only. The lotion is applied to the skin as required and allowed to
dry.
 Action and uses: cooling lotion useful for treating mild sunburn.

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 Flocculated and non flocculated suspensions
 Suspensions can be classified into flocculated and deflocculated
suspensions based on the electrokinetic nature of the dispersed
phase.
Flocculated suspensions
 Flocculation refers to the formation of a loose aggregation of
discrete particles held together in a network like structure by
physical adsorption of macromolecules when the longer-range van
der Walls forces of attraction exceed the shorter-range forces of
repulsion.
 Particles, therefore, experience attraction at significant interparticle
distances (10 – 20 nm) and form an open network of aggregated
particles known as floccules.

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Deflocculated suspensions
 The individual particles are dispersed as discrete entities, resulting in a
smooth-looking suspension, called deflocculated or peptized
suspension.
Flocculated suspensions
1. Particles form loosely aggregates and form a net work like
structures.
2. The rate of sedimentation is high.
3. Sedimentation is rapidly formed.
4. Sedimentation is easy to redisperse.
5. Sediment is loosely packed and does not form a hard cake.
6. Supernatant liquid is clear.
7. The flocculate sticks to the sides of the bottle.
8. Suspension is not pleasingEbrahim
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 Non – flocculated suspension
1. Particles exist as separate entity.
2. The rate of sedimentation is low.
3. Sedimentation is slowly formed.
4. Sediment is difficult to redisperse.
5. Sediment is very closely packed and a hard cake is formed.
6. Supernatant liquid is not clear.
7. The flocculate does not stick to the sides of the bottles.
8. Suspension is glassing in appearance.

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Advantages and disadvantages of suspensions as dosage forms

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 Reasons for suspensions.
1. Certain drugs are chemically unstable when in solution but stable in
suspension.
2. Easy of swallowing.
3. Flexibility of administration.
4. Easy of incorporation flavoring and sweetening agent.
Properties of ideal suspension.
1. It should settle slowly and should be readily re – dispersed on gentle
shaking of the container.
2. The suspension should pour readily and evenly from its container.
3. It should be chemically inert.
4. The suspended particle should not form a cake.
5. It should be free from large particles which spoil its appearance.
6. It should be free from gritty taste.
7. It should not cause irritation.
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