D 3

Question 1

What are the different types of powder based medicines

Answer 1

Bulk and wrapped powders
Capsules
Tablets

Question 2

Oral bulk powders

Answer 2

Packed in jars
Spoonfuls of powder dispersed in water or etc
Easy to take
Useful when drug is unstable in water

Question 3

Wrapped powders and sachets

Answer 3

Single dose of powder mixture packed in a small bag
More accurate and convenient
Better protection against moisture

Question 4

Why oral bulk and wrapped powders

Answer 4

For patients who have difficulty swallowing
More stable that liquid medicines
Good way to give large doses by mouth
Fast dissolution = fast action

Question 5

What are the issues with powders

Answer 5

1 moisture
Absorb water ( hygroscopic)
Can dissolve during processing and storage
Caking
SO MUST BE PROTECTED AGAINST MOISTURE

Question 6

Issues with powders 2

Answer 6

2. Flow
   Poor flow will lead to inaccurate / inconsistent packing
   Size, shape, surface charge affect flow ability
3. Mixing and separation
   Poor mixing will lead to inaccurate dosing
   Powder mixes can unmix during movements

Question 7

How to solve mixing and separation issues

Answer 7

Equalise particles sizes
Mix equal amounts if powders
Granulation ( bounding particles together to form larger particles)
Can be packed into bulk containers
Filled into capsules
Compressed into tablets

Question 8

Types of excipients

Answer 8

Bulking agents
Granulating agents (binders)
Effervescent mixtures
Flow aid
Anti caking agents
Surfactants
Flavours ; colours

Question 9

What are capsules filled of

Answer 9

Powder mixtures
Granules
Small tablets
Combination

Question 10

Why hard capsules

Answer 10

Easy to swallow
Different sizes available
Shell protects powder and masks taste
Shell can be coloured
Can be coated for delayed release
Easier to manufacture

Question 11

Soft capsules

Answer 11

One piece shell made Of gelatine
Used for oils , liquids and semi solids
Larger than capsules but easier to swallow

Question 12

Tablets

Answer 12

Small and portable
Very stable
Shape and colour give distinction

Question 13

How are tablets made

Answer 13

From granules or powder mixtures by compression on high speed tablet

Question 14

What do compression aids / binders do

Answer 14

Bind particles under pressure to make tablets stronger

Question 15

Lubricants

Answer 15

Help tablet machine eject tablet after compression

Question 16

Tablet coat

Answer 16

Protect contents from water air and oxygen
Taste masking
Identification

Question 17

Disintegrants

Answer 17

Break the tablet in the stomach by attracting water and making it swell

Question 18

Dispersible

Answer 18

Dissolved in water before taking or on tongue
Quick acting
Contain an effervescent mixture

Question 19

Immediate release

Answer 19

Conventional tablets
Disintegrate and release drug in stomach
Fast action

Question 20

Delayed release

Answer 20

Remain intact in the stomach disintegrate in small intestine
Used if drug irritates stomach
Coats is insoluble in acid but soluble in neutral ph

Question 21

Extended release

Answer 21

Slowly release drug in GI tract over 8-24h
Used if only one dose a day is required and fast drug release cause side effects
Tablets designed with either a coating insoluble but porous or a matrix that erodes slowly