Methods Of Formulation II Flashcards
What are the structures of the lung (include surface area)
Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between blood and inhaled air
The respiratory tract comprises of the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, which connect with the alveoli
The lung of an adult male has approximately has a surface area of 100 – 140 m2
The conducting airways are lined with ciliated epithelial cells
Insoluble particles deposited in the airways are trapped by mucus, swept upwards by the beating cilia to the throat and swallowed
How do we use the lung for local drug delivery and what are the benefits
Treatment for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis e.g. corticosteroidsandbronchodilators
Rapid onset of activity, lower dose administered, reduced risk of side effects and reduced cost
Which drugs do we administer to the lungs to achieve systemic drug delivery
Systemic delivery
Sodium cromoglicate (anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory; poorly absorbed orally)
Isoprenaline (bradycardia, heart block; rapidly metabolized orally)
Biopharmaceuticals e.g. insulin, vaccines and growth hormone which are suceptible to degradation by stomach acid (protein based)
What is the ideal size for aerosol particles
Will come up in the exam
Particles of1-5µmare needed to achieve good penetration into airways
Particles > 10µm are deposited in the mouth and throat
Particles < 0.5µm may be exhaled
What are the two ways which an aerosol will be prepared
An aerosol may be prepared by dispersion or condensation
Describe a dispersion aerosol
Achieved by the use of a pressurised container, with a liquefied gas used as a propellant
The solution or suspension of active ingredients is contained within the liquefied propellant, or within an additional solvent
When the container is opened or deployed, the vapour pressure of the propellant forces the liquid out of the container, producing a dispersion in the air which can be inhaled
Describe a condensation aerosol
A sample of vapour-saturated gas is subjected to rapid volume expansion (supercooling)
This lowers the temperature and causes supersaturation
The vapour condenses on any ions or particles present forming colloidal particles and is packaged for delivery
How do we administer aerosols
Aerosols are administered via inhalers or nebulisers
What is the difference between MDI and DPIs
Metered dose inhalers (MDI) generate an aerosol when deployed
Dry powder inhalers (DPI) contain capsules or blisters loaded with drug particles
A capsule is pierced and as the drug is inhaled by the patient, it passes through a mesh or screen to shear the particles into aerosol form
What types of drugs are inhalers used to administer
Inhalers are primarily used to administer corticosteroidsandbronchodilators
Other than inhalers, how can aerosols be administered
Nebuliser. Nebulisers are commonly used for the treatment ofcystic fibrosis, asthma, COPDand otherrespiratory diseases
Nebulisers can deliver corticosteroids and bronchodilators, but also antibiotics e.g. colistin for cystic fibrosis and pain medications e.g. morphine for COPD
How do nebulisers work
A nebuliser convertsliquid into aerosol droplets, which are inhaled through a face mask or mouth piece
It can be driven by compressed gas or by an ultrasonically vibrating crystal
Which conditions do we treat with locally acting drugs via the nasal pathway and which drugs do we often deliver
Treatment of allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion and nasal infection
Drugs used include antihistamines, corticosteroids, sodium cromoglicate, antiseptics/antibiotics
Which conditions do we treat with systemic drugs via the nasal pathway and which drugs do we often deliver
Sympathomimetics e.g. adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine
Analgesics e.g. fentanyl
Erectile dysfunction
Proposed portal for vaccine delivery e.g. influenza (and potentially TB)
Potential for drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumours, epilepsy, pain and sleep disorders
What dosage forms are used for nasal delivery
Dosage forms include mists and drops
What are the structures of the nasal cavity (include surface area)
The nasal cavity has a total surface area of ~160 cm2 (moistened environment)
The nasal vestibule is the narrowest part and contains cilia that filter out particles >10 μm
The turbinate region, filled with folded projections of tissue from the nasal septum, is composed of mucus-secreting goblet cells, ciliated and non-ciliated cells
How are drugs absorbed via the nasal pathway
Particles 5–10 μm in size deposit on the mucous lining the turbinate walls
The main drug absorption site is the epithelium of the nasal turbinates
Drugs cross the nasal epithelium by passive diffusion via transcellular (lipophilic drugs) or paracellular (hydrophilic drugs) routes
WHy is the nose a good site of drug delivery
The nose contains a rich supply of blood vessels
This allows inhaled drugs to be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, providing a fast onset of action
(a barrier, however, is the nasal epithelium is protected by a layer of mucus 1–10 μm thick, sitting above the cilia )
What is PecFent and when is it used
PecFent nasal spray contains the active ingredient fentanyl, an opioid analgesic
People with long-term, ongoing, severe pain, such as the pain caused by cancer, are given opioids
Occasionally the pain can become worse despite taking these strong painkillers; this is known as ‘breakthrough’ pain
PecFent is used to relieve breakthrough pain in people already receiving opioids on a regular basis
Which conditions do we treat with locally acting drugs via the rectal pathway and which drugs do we often deliver
Treatment of haemorrhoids, constipation or colitis
Drugs used include antiseptics, local anaesthetics, vasoconstrictors, anti-inflammatory compounds, soothing and protective agents, laxatives