The tonicity of a solution predicts the effect of the solution on cell volume at equilibrium and depends

on the relative concentrations of nonpenetrating solutes in the cell and the solution. At equilibrium,
water movement into the compartment with the higher starting concentration of nonpenetrating
solutes will increase that compartment’s volume. Net water movement stops when the concentrations
of nonpenetrating solutes in the cell and solution are equal (American Psychological Society,n.d).

Vujovic, P. et., al. (n.d). Learning (by) osmosis: an approach to teaching osmolarity and tonicity.
Retrieved from https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00094.2018

Several methods are used to adjust the isotonicity of

pharmaceutical solutions. Isotonicity can be calculated

from the colligative properties of drug solutions. If

solutions are injected or introduced in to eyes and

nose, these are to be made isotonic in order to avoid

haemolysis of RBC’s and to avoid pain and

discomfort. This is possible for either manufactured or

extemporaneous prepared solutions. By using the

appropriate calculations based on colligative

properties of solutions, it is easy to determine the

amount of adjusting agents to be added. It helps to

overcome the side effects caused from administering

solutions which contain adjusting agents less or more

than isotonic solutions.

The three frequently used methods in calculating the tonicity of the solutions are:

Class-1 Methods: Nacl or some other substances is

added to the solution of the drug to lower the freezing

point of the solution to -0.52ᵒC and thus make the

solution isotonic.

Examples of this class include Cryoscopic method and Sodium chloride equivalent method.

Class-2 Methods: Water is added to the drug in a

sufficient amount to make it isotonic. Then the

preparation is brought to its final volume with an

isotonic or buffered isotonic solution. An example of this class is the White Vincent Method

Class-3 Methods: Freezing point depression and L iso

values for number of drugs are estimated theoretically

from the molecular weight of the drug and can be used

to calculate the amount of adjusting substance to be

added in order to make the solution isotonic (Reddy, et. ,al.2016)

Reddy, M.H.,et.al.(2016). Methods of adjusting tonicity and pH values of

some drugs and substances: Methods of Adjusting Tonicity and pH (pakiitalize daytuy). International
Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences,(3,10) <-- pati daytuy naka bracket, 209. DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2016.03.10.028