Medicinal waters

Question 1

What are the types of medicinal waters (6)

Answer 1

1. Water = portable water
2. Distilled Water
3. Water for preparations
4. Aromatic Waters
5. Water for Injections- Sterile Water
6. Water from tap = safe, Water from tank = unsafe (may be stagnant water)

Question 2

What must be considered when using water for extemporaneous preparation (3)

Answer 2

1. Source determines the chemical composition
2. If the taste is fine, and microbial and chemical quality is acceptable then:- Use For Non-sterile Liquid Preparations
3. If there is a possibility of interactions of ions, then use Purified Water, freshly boiled and cooled.

Question 3

What is purified water (4)

Answer 3

1. Distilled water = purified water by distillation
2. Purified water is given against prescriptions for Distilled water
3. Purified water (Syn. Aqua Purificata)
4. EP standard.

Question 4

What are aromatic waters and how are they produced (3)

Answer 4

1. Aromatic Waters are saturated solutions of volatile oils or other aromatic substances in water
2. usually employed for their flavouring rather than their medicinal properties.
3. Aromatic Waters are normally prepared by diluting a concentrated, ethanolic solution of the aromatic substance with Water

Question 5

What are examples of concentrated (5), double & triple (2) and single-strength waters (2)

Answer 5

1. Concentrated Waters - Anise, Camphor, Cinnamon, Chloroform, Rose
2. Double and Triple Strength Waters - Chloroform, Orange Flower Water
3. Single Strength Waters - Chloroform, Rose

Question 6

Concentrated Cinnamon Water BP (8)

Answer 6

1. Cinnamon Oil- 20ml
2. Ethanol (90%)- 600ml
3. Water to 1000ml
4. Dissolve the Cinnamon Oil gradually in the Ethanol (90%) with vigorous shaking after each addition, sufficient
5. Water to produce 1000ml.
6. Add 50g of previously sterilised Purified Talc, or other suitable filtering aid
7. allow to stand for a few hours, shaking occasionally
8. and filter.

Question 7

Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Oil BP (4)

Answer 7

1. Ceylon cinnamon bark oil is obtained by steam distillation of the bark of the shoots Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees
2. CinnamonSyn. Cinnamon Bark: Ceylon cinnamon
3. Cinnamon consists of the dried bark, freed from the outer cork and the underlying parenchyma, of the shoots grown on cut stock of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees.
4. It contains not less than 12ml/kg of essential oil.

Question 8

Chloroform preparation (2)

Answer 8

Chloroform- 0.25ml

Purified Water to 100ml

Question 9

Concentrated Chloroform water preparation (2)

Answer 9

Concentrated Chloroform water- 2.5ml

Purified Water to 100ml

Question 10

Double strength Chloroform water preparation (2)

Answer 10

Double Strength Chloroform water- 50ml

Purified Water to 100ml

Question 11

Would you ever use single strength Chloroform Water as a preservative? (3)

Answer 11

1. Chloroform has mild antimicrobial effects, which helped preserve liquid medications.
2. It was used in old formulations to dissolve certain ingredients and mask unpleasant tastes.
3. However SSCW is not a recommended preservative due to its toxicity and regulatory issues.