Internal and external suspensions

Question 1

What is the normal dose in ml of Nystan suspension for a child patient and how can it be measured?

Answer 1

1ml (4 times a day) dropped into the mouth using a graduated dropper provided

Question 2

What flavour is Nystan suspension and why is the flavour important?

Answer 2

Cherry & peppermint flavour

Flavour is important to make it more palatable and pleasant for the patient

Question 3

Identify the excipient in Nystan suspension used to increase the viscosity of the medication and why is this important to the formulation?

Answer 3

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose

Because cellulose absorbs water so the medication remains in suspension

Question 4

Is Nystan suspension for local or systemic use?

Answer 4

local use it isn’s absorbed into the bloodstream - works by killing the yeast or fungus at the site of action.

Question 5

How long should the selsun shampoo be kept in contact with the skin and why?

Answer 5

2-3 minutes - can cause sensitivity to scalp and blistering

Question 6

What advice should you give to a patient that wishes to colour their hair after using this medication?

Answer 6

Not to use shampoo 2 days before and 2 days after colouring their hair

Question 7

Which ingredients are suspending agents in the Selsun shampoo? Can these excipients be used in oral suspensions?

Answer 7

Bentonite - not good in oral suspensions as it has a thick consistency and tends to stick to scalp and skin etc.

Question 8

Which of the excipients in the shampoo cause it to foam, what group of excipients do they belong to and how do they clean the scalp?

Answer 8

Monoethanolamine lauryl sulphate and Empigen BB

They are surfactants and oil molecules stick to them and get washed out