Nystan Suspension

Question 1

What is the normal dose in mL for a child patient and how can it be measured?

Answer 1

• 1ml of suspension dropped into the mouth four times a day -> use the measuring dropper provided

Question 2

What sweetener is used in the product and is this product sugar free?

Answer 2

• The sweetener used is sucrose, so the product is not sugar free as sucrose is a sugar

Question 3

Identify the excipient used to increase the viscosity of medication and why is the important to the formulation?

Answer 3

• sodium carboxymethylcellulose (E466) is used to increase the viscosity to make the product more stable and easier to pour

Question 4

Do you think this product is for local or systemic use, and can you explain your answer?

Answer 4

• Local use because it is to kill the yeast fungi in the throat, mouth or gut, all of which are accessible from the mouth
• It is not absorbed into the blood stream to act on the whole body

Question 5

Nystatin, the active ingredient, is an indiffusible solid. Describe what happens to an indiffusible solid when added to water? Name the category of excipients that are often used to reduce this effect?

Answer 5

• Indiffusible solids will not remain evenly distributed in a vehicle long enough to ensure uniformity of dose: they sediment too rapidly and require the addition of a thickening agent to reduce sedimentation rate to an acceptable level.

Question 6

If you were to make nystatin suspension extemporaneously, what method would you use to mix all the dry insoluble ingredients together before adding any liquid, why is this important?

Answer 6

• The method of increasing proportions, so that you can ensure all of all the dry ingredients are completely mixed together