Suspensions 1 Flashcards
What is a Suspension ?
A coarse disperse system where an insoluble solid is dispersed in a liquid medium
In the Disperse phase, solid particles are usually what size ?
Greater than 0.1 micrometre
The disperse medium is usually an aqueous media. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
The disperse medium may infrequently be ?
An Organic or oily material
Why do we need suspensions
- Drugs are predominantly insoluble
- Drugs are more stable in a suspension (or emulsion) than in any other dosage form (drug may degrade more readily if in solution)
- Able to control rate of release of drug if needed
- Drug may have bad taste; suspension may increase compliance
On a whole, needed for STABILITY and COMPLIANCE
Suspensions are usually chemically and physical stable. TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
Although the particles in suspensions are solid (therefore more chemically stable), the overall product behaves like a liquid. TRUE or FALSE a what does this ensure ?
TRUE, this ensures good compliance
Why does compliance to suspensions tend to be good ?
- Easy to swallow (children and elderly)
- Easy to divide and control dose
- Masks unpleasant tastes (e.g: Chlorampenicol suspension; ester forms more acceptable taste)
- Fast pharmaceutical action
Give two examples of antacid oral suspensions
1) Aluminium hydroxide
2) Magnesium hydroxide
Give one example of Parenteral supensions
- Insulin Zinc suspension BP
Give one example of Topical suspensions
- Calamine lotion BP
Give an example of a dry powder used for suspensions
- Barium sulphate for Suspension BP
Give an example of an insoluble/poorly soluble drug used in suspension
Prednisolone suspension
Give an example of a drug used in suspension to prevent degradation and improve stability of a drug
Oxytetracycline suspension
What drug is used in suspension to mask the bitter taste of some drug ?
Chloramphenicol palmitate suspension
Give examples of drugs used in parenteral application (in order to control the rate of drug absorption)
Penicillin, Procaine
Give an example of a vaccine formulated in suspension
Cholera vaccine
Give an example of an x-ray contrast agent formulated in suspension
Barium sulphate
State two desirable properties of suspensions
1) The dispersed particle should settle slowly
2) Particles should remain flocculated and be readily dispersed upon shaking. CAKING SHOULD BE AVOIDED
3) Viscosity should be appropriate.Not too thick or thin
4) Particle size - should remain reasonably constant
State an advantage of dispersed particles settling slowly ?
This allows an accurate and uniform dose to be taken from the medicine
Define flocculation
Easily distributed
Define Caking. Why should this be avoided in suspensions
Aggregation of particles.
Should be avoided as this affects uniformity of drug distribution and physical stability / re-suspension of product
Why does viscosity of suspensions matter ?
The product should be easily dispersed from its container
Why should particle size be reasonably constant in suspensions
Particle size affects stability, re-dispersion and may minimise caking and settling of suspended material