Jan 19 - Powder Dose Forms Flashcards
What does the term “powder” refer to?
It may refer to the physical state or the finished product
What are powders?
Powders are intimate mixtures of finely divided drug or drug and excipient for internal or external use
What is micromeritics?
The science of small particles and includes:
- particle size, distribution and shape
- angle of repose, porosity, true and bulk volume
- tapped and apparent density
What does particle size and shape influence?
They influence factors such as dissolution rate, suspendability, uniformity, grittiness
What is small particle size associated with?
Larger surface area, faster dissolution, better suspendability
How does particle size and shape influence homogeneity?
Particles of similar shape and size tend to blend more uniformly and more homogenenous mixtures (homogeneity is very important for many dose forms)
How is particle size determined?
Sieving methods, microscopy, sedimentation rate, light scattering
How is particle shape determined?
Particle shape can be seen by microscopy or inferred through its angle of repose
What is the angle of repose?
Simplistically, the powder is allowed to flow through a funnel and fall freely onto a surface. The height and diameter of the resulting cone are measured and the angle of repose is calculated by : tan theta = h/r
How is the angle of repose related to the flow properties?
Powders with a low angle of repose flow freely
Angles over 50 degrees have poor flow
How does particle shape influence flow?
The more spherical and smooth the particles are, the better the flow
Poor flow with more irregular shape and roughness (rugosity)
Poor flow with crystalloid needles or plates
What is ratholing of a funnel?
It is when particles stick to the sides of a funnel
What is bridging (arching) of a funnel?
When the flow stops completely (the particles don’t flow through the spout of the funnel)
What is flooding of a funnel?
The particles stick to each other they stick to the funnel (the particles fill the funnel and the spout)
What is true density?
It is the weight per unit volume
What affects apparent and tapped density?
They are affected by particle size and shape. With larger rougher particles, there are more spaces in between them and an apparent larger volume per unit of mass. This has implications for dose forms like capsules, where volume is fixed
What is comminution?
The process of reducing particle size of a solid
What are some of the methods used for comminution?
Trituration with a mortar and pestle (simultaneously reduce and make size uniform)
Levitigation with a spatula
Levitigation with a mortar and pestle (useful technique for preparing suspensions)
When powders are to be combined into a homogeneous mixture, it is important all the particles are about the same size. Why?
Powders with different particle size stratify or segregate and do no remain homogenous