The Pharmacist Flashcards
Internal and External Solutions:
Potassium Citrate:
What are two most likely purposes of ethanol in this product?
Ethanol could be used as a co-solvent to improve the drug solubility of the active ingredient, potassium citrate
It could be used in this product as a preservative to prevent bacterial growth
Internal & External Solutions:
Potassium Citrate:
Which groups of people may the ethanol content be important to?
(Two Examples)
Ethanol constant may be important to those who are religious (Christianity and Islam) as they may not want to take medication containing ethanol for religious reasons
Ethanol content may important in children as it could cause low blood glucose levels in children and have the potential to cause liver problems
Internal & External Solutions:
Potassium Citrate:
What are the two most likely purposes of citric acid?
The two most likely purposes of citric acid are:
As an antioxidant to stabilise the solution and prevent degradation of the drug
Or
As a buffer with potassium citrate as the salt in equilibrium to resist the change of the pH of the solution
Internal & External Solutions:
Potassium Citrate:
Which three excipients are used to improve palatability?
Three excipients that can be used to improve palatability include:
Flavourings - lemon oil terpeneless, quillaia tincture
Sweeteners - sucrose
Internal & External Solutions:
Potassium Citrate:
If this product were made extemporaneously, citric acid would need to ground before adding it to the product, why is this the case?
Grinding citric acid improves the drug solubility of the product by increasing the rate of dissolution making the product more soluble
Internal & External Solutions:
Potassium Citrate:
Sodium Benzoate is the main preservative in this product, if you made it extemporaneously, what is the most likely preservative you would use in place of sodium benzoate?
I would use double strength chloroform water as a preservative in place of sodium benzoate
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
CosmoCol
Why has this product been formulated as a powder as opposed to a tablet or capsule?
This may have been formulated as a powder as a large dose may be required in order to reach therapeutic effect
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
CosmoCol
What is the main function of colloidal anhydrous silica in this product?
Colloidal anhydrous silica is an excipient and it is used as a lubricant and it affects the flow properties of the powder
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
CosmoCol
Once reconstituted, what are the directions for storage of product and why?
Reconstituted CosmoCol can be stored in the fridge up to 24 hours
After this it must be discarded
This may be because the powder may start to settle and this could lead to inaccurate dosing
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
CosmoCol
What additional types of excipients are needed in oral powder compared to a standard tablet?
Please identify these in this formulation
CosmoCol contains flavourings such as orange flavour as well as sugar free sweetener- Saacharin
These are used to improve the palatability and mask the taste of the drug
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
CosmoCol
When making powder extemporaneously the method used to mix the powders together is referred to as doubling up or the method of increasing proportions, describe how to carry out this technique
Doubling Up
Start with a small amount of each powder and then mix them well
Then continue to double the volume of each time as you add an equal amount of each powder
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
CosmoCol
How would you package a powder extemporaneously? I
Powders can be packaged in either bulk pots and satchels
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
Mebeverine Capsules
In the directions for use section of the PIL, one instruction to the patient is to swallow the capsule whole and not to chew it
Why is this?
Mebeverine is formulated as a modified release capsule which means the drug need to be released at a specific time or place (in the intestine)
If the capsule is chewed or crushed, the drug is immediately released into the body which potentially could harm the patient
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
Mebeverine Capsules
Describe one benefit to the patient of this type of formulation as opposed to standard capsules
One benefit of this type of formulation compared to standard capsules is that it has a local effect as it is only broken down when it reaches the intestine
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
Mebeverine Capsules
What is the function of titanium oxide in the formulation and why is it important in the formulation?
Titanium dioxide is used to improve the appearance of the product and can be used for identification
This is important as it could increase patient adherence to the drug and make patients more likely to take it
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
Mebeverine Capsules
These capsules are made of gelatin
Identify two groups of people where gelatin may be unsuitable
One group of people where gelatin may be unsuitable for is vegetarians and people with conflicting religious beliefs due to the content of pork
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
Mebeverine Capsules
In general when making capsules extemporaneously why would you need to add a diluent?
A diluent is if the minimum weight of the drug is less than 100mg and the smallest capsule is too big for the drug
Solid Oral Dosage Forms:
Mebeverine Capsules
Describe two methods used to fill capsules extemporaneously
Punch Press
When you place the capsule into a pile of mixture and fill it to capacity and then place the cap on top
Another method is using weighed aliquot sand fill each capsule individually
Vaginal & Rectal Formulations:
Boots Haemorrhoid Relief Suppositories
Why do the instructions for use in the PIL advise the patient to empty their bowels where possible before administering the suppository?
It is important for the patient to empty their bowels before administering the suppository so that the suppository does not fall out before reaching the therapeutic effect
Vaginal & Rectal Formulations:
Boots Haemorrhoid Relief Suppositories
Is this suppository made with a wax base or water soluble base and how should the patient be advise to lubricate the suppository before insertion?
It is a wax based suppository and the patient should be advised to lubricate the suppository by gently rubbing it between their fingers to warm the suppository
This removes a thin layer of fat covering the suppository
Vaginal & Rectal Formulations:
Boots Haemorrhoid Relief Suppositories
Based on what you about this type of formulation, why is it particularly important for this product to be stored at or below 25 degrees Celsius?
It is important because if it was stored above this temperature, it (lubricant) would start to melt and the drug will be released before it has been administered so it can’t be used
Vaginal & Rectal Formulations:
Boots Haemorrhoid Relief Suppositories
Describe the function of the Colloidal Silicon Dioxide in this formation and how it adds to the integrity of the product?
It increases the viscosity (makes suppository thicker) of the suppository and prevents the components of the suppository from settling and keeps the suppository hard
Vaginal & Rectal Formulations:
Boots Haemorrhoid Relief Suppositories
When making the suppository, why might we need to consider the displacement value of the drug?
The displacement value needs to be taken into account to ensure that the total volume of the suppository is correct and the correct dose is administered by taking into account the density of the base and drug
Vaginal & Rectal Formulations:
Boots Haemorrhoid Relief Suppositories
When making suppositories extemporaneously with a wax base, why is it important to know when to add the molten mixture to the mould?
It is important to know when to add the molten mixture to ensure there is an even distribution of the active ingredient throughout the suppository and the correct volume of the suppository is made
