Capsules

Question 1

Capsules are unit doses of drugs enclosed within soluble shells of ___________

Answer 1

gelatin.

Question 2

This oral dosage form can be filled with dry powders, liquids, or gels.

Answer 2

Capsules

Question 3

-Can mask unpleasant characteristics of API.

-Uncompressed powders dissolve and absorb more quickly.

-variety of administration routes.

• Can be formulated to delay drug release.
• May be easier to swallow than tablets.

Answer 3

Advantages of Capsules

Question 4

• Can be tampered with

-Humidity/Moisture concerns

-Aqueous liquids dissolve moisture shell

-cannot use with hygroscopic/deliquescent materials.

-Larger capsules are more difficult to swallow.

Answer 4

Disadvantages of capsules.

Question 5

_______ powders dissolve and adsorb more quickly than tablets.

Answer 5

Uncompressed powders.

Question 6

__________ liquids dissolve the moisture shell of a capsule.

Answer 6

Aqueous liquids.

Question 7

Capsules can not be used with ______________ materials.

Answer 7

Hygroscopic/deliquescent.
(materials which absorb moisture from the air.)

Question 8

Structure of a Capsule

Answer 8

Base/body and a shorter cap which fits over the base. This contains the API and inactive ingredients of the dosage form.

Question 9

There are ___________ capsule sizes available for human use.

Answer 9

Eight

Question 10

As the capsule size number increases, the capsule size/content capacity ____________.

Answer 10

Decreases.
The higher the number capsule, the smaller it is. For example 000 = largest capsule. 5 = smallest capsule.

Question 11

How should we select capsule size?

Answer 11

1. Follow manufacturer guidelines based on powder density.
2. Check capacity of five common drugs for each capsule size.
3. Trial and error.
4. Rule of 7s.

Question 11

The rule of sevens is used to calculate _______________.

Answer 11

Capsule Size

Question 11

How many grains are in 1000 mg?

Answer 11

15.43 grains.

Question 11

What are the four steps in the rule of sevens?

Answer 11

1. Convert Capsule content to grains.
2. Subtract grains from “7”
3. Round to the nearest whole number.
4. The rounded number should be equal to the optimal capsule size to try first.

Question 12

What is the optimum capsule size if possible?

Answer 12

2 or #3.

Question 13

What size capsules should we use for small children?

Answer 13

smallest possible.

Question 14

If we are using a capsule to sprinkle, we should use a ____________.

Answer 14

Large size capsule (smaller number)

Question 15

The _________ method is used to fill capsules.

Answer 15

Punch Method

Question 16

In the punch method, ingredients are ____________, and then mixed using __________________.

Answer 16

1) Triturated to the same particle size.
2) Geometric Dilution.

Question 17

In the punch method, the powder on the ointment slab is filled to what height?

Answer 17

A height approximately half the length of the capsule body.

Question 18

When preparing capsules, how much of the ingredients should we calculate for?

Answer 18

The amount to cover the prescription + 1 extra dose.

Question 19

What will happen to capsules kept in areas of high humidity?

Answer 19

Capsules will absorb moisture, and become malformed or misshapen.

Question 20

What will happen to capsules kept in areas of low humidity?

Answer 20

Capsules will become dry, brittle and crack.

Question 21

Capsules must be dispensed in ____________.

Answer 21

Glass or plastic vials.

Question 22

The beyond-use date of capsules is _________.

Answer 22

180 days. (Non-aqueous dosage form.)