Suppositories Flashcards
what are suppositories?
solid dosage forms intended for insertion into body orifices (Other than oral cavity) –> melt, soften/dissolve and exert localised/systemic effects –> various shape and sizes
what are the types of suppositories available?
- suppository
- pessary
- urethral bougie
- nasal bougie
- ear cone
What are some applications of suppositories?
- Carry drug for action at site of placement
- Carry drug for systemic action
- Recommended for drug delivery in patients unable to make use of oral route of drug administration and for drugs less suited for oral administration
Disadvantages of suppositories as a drug delivery system:
- Strong feeling of aversion
- Suppositories can leak due to the type of base used, affecting drug treatment –> patient needs to lie down to prevent suppositories from dropping out
- Considerable intersubject and intrasubject variation
- development of prostatitis if used long term
- Possible slow onset and incomplete drug absorption
Desirable properties of suppository bases:
- Can be moulded by pouring/compression
- Stable if heated above melting point
- Does not adhere to mould
- Releases drug at desired rate
- Keeps shape when handled and easy to insert
- Does not leak out of orifice into which it is inserted
- Stable during storage
- non-toxic, non-irritating
- compatible with drug
What are the three crystalline forms of Theobroma oil?
- alpha: unstable and melting point of 22-24
- beta: stable, melting point of 34-36
- gamma: unstable, melting point of 18
Disadvantages of theobroma oil base:
- Melting process needs to be carefully monitored
- Tends to stick to sides of the mould
- Tends to soften in tropical climate and when volatile oils, phenol/choral hydrate added
- Suppositories more difficult to administer as theobroma oil melts on the fingertip
- Tends to leak out of the orifice –> can be messy if the patient needs to stand up and move around
What are the types of suppository bases:
- Oleaginous bases
- Water-soluble/water-miscible (Glycerinated gelatin, polyethylene glycols)
- Emulsifying bases
what are the two types of gelatin commonly used and what are they used with?
- Pharmagel A: Cationic, incompatible with anionic compounds
- Pharmagel B: Anionic, incompatible with cationic compounds
Advantages of glycerinated gelatin base
- More prolonged drug release –> commonly used in pessaries
- More easily inserted –> suitable for urethral administration
- Does not melt on fingertips
Disadvantages of glycerinated gelatin base
- Hygroscopic –> dehydrating effect on mucous membrane
2. Supports growth of mould
Advantages of PEG bases
- Bases with higher melting points can be formulated
- Convenient storage and do not have to be refrigerated
- Easy insertion
- No leakage from orifice
- Control drug release as bases of varying solubilities can be formulated
Disadvantages of PEG bases
- Incompatible with phenols
2. Hygroscopic
What are emulsifying bases?
Bases usually composed of triglycerides with 1 or more emulsifying agents
Advantages of emulsifying bases:
- Not adversely affected by overheating
- Solidify rapidly at RTP –> can be produced quickly
- Do not adhere to mould
- Non-irritating
Disadvantages of emulsifying bases:
- Not suitable when rapid drug release required
2. Do not melt and dissolve rapidly in rectum