Written by Prof.

Shayan
Prescription

Prescription is a written order from a registered medical practitioner, or other properly licensed
practitioners, such as dentist, veterinarian etc to a pharmacist to compound and dispense a
specific medication for the patient

The order is accompanied by directions for the pharmacist to prepare a specific type and
quantity of preparation for a patient. The prescription also include the directions for the patient
regarding the mode of administration of drugs, which is dispensed for him. Thus prescription is a
media through which treatment is provided for a patient by the combined skill and services of
both the physician and the pharmacist.

The prescriptions are generally written in the English language but Latin words or abbreviations
are frequently used in order to save time. So it becomes necessary for a pharmacist, to become
familiar with the common Latin terms and abbreviations used by the prescriber while writing the
prescription.

PARTS OF A PRESCRIPTION:

Prescriptions are generally written on a typical format which are usually kept as pads. A typical
prescription consists of following
parts:

1. Date
2. Name, age, sex and address of the patient
3. Superscription
2. Name, age, sex and address of the patient
4. Inscription
5. Subscription
6. Signatura
7. Renewal instructions.
8. Signature, address, and registration number of the prescriber.

1. Date:

It helps a pharmacist to find out the date of prescribing and date of presentation for filling the
prescription. The prescription which prescribe narcotic or other habit forming drugs, must bear
the date, so as to avoid the misuse of prescription if it is presented by the patient, a number of
times for dispensing.

2. Name, age, sex and address of the patient:

Name, age, sex and address of the patient must be written in the prescription because it serves
to identify the prescription. In case, if any of these information is missing in the prescription, the
same may be included by the pharmacist after proper enquiry from the patient. Age and sex of
the patient, especially in case of children. help the pharmacist to check the presented dose of
medication.

3. Superscription:

It is represented by a symbol R which is written before writing the prescription. R is an

abbreviation of the Latin word recipe, meaning "You take (Take thou). In olden days, the symbol
was considered to be originated from the sign of Jupiter, God of healing. This symbol was
employed by the ancient in requesting God for the quick recovery of the patient.

4. Inscription:

This is the main part of the prescription order, contains the names and quantities of the
prescribed ingredients. The names of ingredients are generally written in English language but
com mon abbreviation used can be written both in English and Latin languages.

Extreme care should be taken by the pharmacist in interpreting the abbreviations, otherwise it
can lead to serious errors.

The medicament may be prescribed as an official preparation, a proprietary product, a

non-proprietary product (generic), not official or a special or individual formula. In case of special
or individual formula,

the quantity of each ingredient will be stated together with a description of the type of the
preparation, e.g., cream, mixture, lotion etc.

The name of each ingredient is written on a separate line along with its quantity. In complex
prescriptions containing several ingredients the inscription is divided into following parts:

(a) Base:

The active medicaments which are intended to produce the therapeutic effect.

(b) Adjuvant:

It is included either to enhance the action of medicament to improve the palatability of the
preparation.

(c) Vehicle:
It is included in the prescription either to dissolve the solid ingredients or to increase the volume
of the preparation.

Nowadays, the majority of the drugs are prescribed which are already in a suitable formulation.
The pharmacist is required to dispense the readymade form of drugs. So, compounding of
prescription is almost eliminated.

5. Subscription:

This comprises direction to the pharmacist for preparing the prescription and number of doses
to be dispensed. Thesedays, the prescribers are omitting the specific instructions to the
pharmacist because the majority of the prescriptions are not compounded and dispensed:

6. Signatura:

This consists of the direction to be given to the patient regarding the administration of the drug.
It is usually written as Sig' on the prescription. The instructions given in the prescription are
required to be transferred to the label of the container in which the medicament is to be
dispensed, so that the patient can follow it. The instructions may include:

(a) The quantity to be taken or amount to be used.

(b) The frequency and timing of administration or application.

(c) The route of administration.

(d) The special instructions such as dilution direction.

7. Renewal instructions:

The prescriber indicate on every prescrip tion order, whether it may be renewed and if so, how
many times. It is very important particularly in the prescription containing the narcotic and other
habit forming drugs to prevent its misuse.

8. Signature, address and registration number of the prescriber :

The prescription must bear the signature of the prescriber along with its registration number and
address. It is very important particularly in the prescription containing the narcotic and other
habit forming drugs, to prevent its misuse.

HANDLING OF PRESCRIPTION

The following procedure should be adopted by the pharmacist while handling the prescription for
compounding and dispensing
1. Receiving
2. Reading and checking
3. Collecting and weighing the materials
4. Compounding, labelling and packaging

1. Receiving:

The prescription should be received from the patient by the pharmacist himself. While receiving
a prescription, a pharmacist should not change his facial expression which gives an impression
to the panes that he is surprised Or confused after seeing the prescription.

2. Reading and checking:

On receiving a prescription, always check it that it is written in a proper format i.e. doctor's pad
or OPD slip of the hospital/nursing home and signed by the prescriber along with date.

A prescription should always be screened behind the counter. In case of any difficulty in reading
or any doubt regarding the prescription ingredients or directions, the pharmacist should consult
the other phar macist or the prescriber. But under no circumstance patient should come to know
about it. Pharmacist should never guess about the meaning of any illegal or confused word. It
may lead to serious consequences.

Sometimes a prescription is received on telephone by senior pharma In such case, after taking
down the prescription, it should be cist verified by repeating it on phone to the prescriber. It is
very important because nowadays, the number of drugs with almost the same pronunciation
and spelling are available in the market.

For example:

Acidin ® Apidin ®

Prednisone Prednisolone

Digoxin Digitoxin

Althrocin Eltroxin

If there is any omission of any important particulars, such as the dose, the prescriber should be
contacted.

3. Collecting and weighing material:

Before compounding the prescription, all the materials required for it, should be collected on the
left hand side of the balance. After weighing the material it should be shifted to right hand side
of the balance. This gives a check of ingredients which have been weighed. While
compounding, the label of every stock bottle should be read at least three times in order to
avoid any error:

(a) When taken from the shelf or drawer

(b) When the contents are removed for weighing and measuring

(c) When the containers are returned back to its proper place.

4. Compounding, labelling and packaging:

Compounding should be carried out in a neat place. All the equipment etc. required should be
thoroughly cleaned and dried. Only one prescription should be com pounded at one time. All the
ingredients should be compounded according to the directions of the prescriber or according to
pharmaceuti cal art. The compounded medicaments should be filled in suitable containers
depending on its quantity and use. The filled containers are suitably labelled. White plain paper
of good quality should be used for labelling the containers. The size of the label should be
proportional to the size of the container which is written or typed, giving all the desired
information. The label should be fixed with a good quality of adhesive, almost in the centre
leaving equal space from the bottom and top of the container. The container is polished so as to
remove the finger prints. While delivering the prescription to the patient. the pharmacist should
explain the mode of administration, direction for use, and storage.

Latin Term Abbreviation Mean in Eng

Auristille auristil Ear Drops

Capsula caps A capsule

Cataplasma cataplasm A poultice

Charta chart A powder

Collutorium collut A mouth wash

Collyrium collyr. An eye wash

Cremor crem A Cream

Emulsio emul An emulsion

Enema A enema

Haustous ht A drought

Injectis inj An injection

Insufflatio insuff An insufflation

Linctus lin A linctus

Linimentum lin A liniment

Liquor hq A solution

Lotio lot A lotion

Mistura. m, mist A Mistura

Naristillae narist Nasal drops

Nebula neb A spray solution

Pasta. past A paste

Pessus. pess. A passary

Pilula. pil A pill

Pulvis pulv powder

Solutio sol A solution

Suppositorium. suppos A suppository

Tabella. tab. A tablet

Unguentum ung An ointment

Addendus. addend To be added

Applicandus. applicand. To be applied

Applicat --- Let (him) apply

Capiendus capiend To be taken

Dandus Dand To be given

Deglutiendus deglut To be swallowed

Extendendus. extend To be spread

Infricandus infricand To be rubbed in

Inhaletur inhal Let (it) be inhaled

Instillandus instilland To be dropped in

Miscendus miscend. To be mixed

Signa sin Label

Sumendus S or sum To be taken

Utendus U or utend To be used

Semel in die sem in die Once a day

Bis in die. Bis die b.i.d., b.d. Twice a day

Ter in die t.i.d., t.d. Three times a day

Quater in die qid, qd Four times a day

Sexies in die sex.i.d Six times a day

Primo mane prim. m Early in the morning

Mane m In the morning

Omni mane 0.m Every morning

Omni nocte o.n Every night

Inter nocte inter nocte During the night

Nocte n At night

Hora somani h.s At bed-time

Inter noctem inter nocte During the night

Jentaculum. jentac Breakfast

Nocte et mane n.et.m Night and morning

Nocte maneque n.m Night and morning

Prandium prand Dinner

Vespere vesp In the evening

Omni hora o.h Every hour

Omni quarta hora o.q.h Every fourth hour

Singulis horis sing. hora Every hour

Alternis horis alt. hor. Every two hours

Tertis horis tert. hor. Every three hours

Quartis horis quart. hor. Every four hours

Sextis horis sext. hor. Every six hours

Anti cibos a.c Before meals

Post cibos p.c. After meals

Inter cibos i.c. Between meals

Dolore urgente dol.urg. When the pain is severe

Frequenter freq frequently

Lente -- -- Slowly

Pro.renata p.r.n Occasionally

More dicto m.d. As directed

Mode dicto m.d As directed

Si opus sit S.O.S When required or When

necessary

Si. dolar urgeat si. dol. urg. If the pain is severe

Statim. stat Immediately

Quoties opus sit quot.o.s As often as necessary

Tussi urgent tuss. urg. When the cough is

troublesome
Ante meridiem a.m before noon.

Matutinus matut. of the morning

Post meridiem p.m Afternoon

Pomeridianus. pomerid of the afternoon

amplum. amp

Cochleare-magnum. coch-mag. One tablespoonful

maximum. max

Cochleare medium. coch. med. One

dessertspoonful

Cochleare minimum coch. min. One teaspoonful

cum c. With

Cum duplo. c. dup. With twice as much

Cum parte aequale. c. pt. aeq. With an equal

quantity

Cum tanto. c. tant. With as much

Cyathus amplus cyath. amp. A tumbler

Cyathus magnus. cyath. mag. A tumbler

Cyathus vinosus. cyath. vin. A wine glass

Poculus poc A cup

E.lacte e. lact. With milk

Ex.aqua ex. aq. With water

Auris dexter a.d To right car

Auris laevus a.l To left ear

Brachis. brach. To the body

Jugulo jug To the throat

Naso --- To the nose

Oculis dexter o.d To right eye

Oculis laevus o.J To left eye

Os, oris o.s To mouth

Pro oculus pro.ocul. for the eyes

Sterno stern to the chest

Ad ad. To,upto

Ana aa. Of each

Ante. a. BEFORE

Aqua aq. Water

Aqua distillata aq. dest. Distilled water

Cibos cibos meals food

Fiat ft. Make, let it be made

Gutta, guttae gtt. A drop, Drops

Hora h An hour

Laevo l left

Misce m Mix, let it be mixed

Mitte mitt. Send

Mitte tales mitt tal send such

More dicto m.dict in the manner

prescribed

Omni omn. Every

Pro dosi --- As a dose

Quantum sufficiat. q.s as mush as is sufficient

Recipe Rx Take

Semi ss Half

Solve. --- Dissolve

Talis, tales tal such

MODERN METHODS OF PRESCRIBING

Nowadays, the majority of the drugs are available in the market as readymade formulations
manufactured by different pharmaceutical com panies. There is no need to dispense the drugs
by the pharmacist. In the present days, the role of pharmacist is to hand over the readymade.
preparations to the patients and provide advice if demanded regarding its mode of
administration, dose schedule, drug interactions and adverse reactions etc. The practice of
writing long, complicated prescriptions containing several ingredients, adjuvants, vehicles is not
required.

In the present day set up, the writing of prescription is more signifi cant. The prescription should
be precise, accurate, clear and easily readable. As far as possible, the Latin terms should be
avoided. In olden days the Latin language was used to conceal certain facts from the patient.
But nowadays, the prescriptions are written in English language and dose is prescribed in metric
system for the convenience of the patients.

The drugs should be prescribed by its official (generic) name and not by its proprietary or trade
name. There are certain advantages and disadvantages of prescribing the drugs by its
proprietary names, which are as under:

Advantages of prescription:
[1] It is easy to remember proprietary names because they are very catchy e.g.. Librium
(chlordiazepoxide), Calmpose (diazepam), and Crocin (paracetamol).

[2] It is easy to communicate with the patient.

[3] The continuity can be maintained by prescribing the same proprietary name every time.

[4] The bioavailability of drugs changed with the change of adjuvants used in drug formulations
manufactured by different manufac turers. So only those proprietary drugs can be prescribed
which have a better bioavailability.

Disadvantages of prescription:

[1] It is cheaper to prescribe the drugs by its official name.

[2] It becomes difficult for a pharmacist to dispense the substitute of the drug which is available
in the stock

There are four types of prescriptions which are generally received by the retail drug store:

● Prescription in general practice

● Private prescriptions

● Hospital prescriptions meant for 'out patients'

● Hospital prescriptions meant for 'in patients'

CARE REQUIRED IN DISPENSING PRESCRIPTION

Following precautions should be taken while dispensing a prescription.

(1) Always keep the prescription before you. Take the prescription with you while taking out the
medicine from the shelf. It will serve as a constant reminder of the name and strength of the
preparation required and help to avoid mistakes.

(2) Always check the dispensing balance before weighing the ingre dients which are required
during dispensing.

(3) Replace containers of stock preparations or drugs in their proper position after use.

(4) Keep the label in upper position during weighing solid ingredi ents especially the potent
drugs such as morphine hydrochloride to serve as a constant reminder that the correct drug is
being used.
(5) When pouring or measuring the liquid ingredients, keep the label upward in order to prevent
surplus liquid running down of the bottle and staining the label.

(6) Care should be taken to keep the dispensing balance clean. The powder should be
transferred from the stock container by using a clean spatula. The scale pan should be cleaned
immediately
after use.

(7) Medicines which are used externally such as lotions, liniments, paints etc. should be
supplied in vertically fluted or ribbed bottles in order to distinguish it by touch. They must be
labelled in red or against a red background.

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY

(8) Before handing over the medicine to the patient, again check that the correct preparation, in
the correct strength, has been supplied and correct direction has been stated on the label.

Sources of Error in Prescription

[1] Abbreviation :

Abbreviation presents a problem in understanding parts of the prescription order. Extreme care
should be taken by a pharmacist in interpreting the abbreviation. Pharmacist should not guess
at the meaning of an ambiguous abbreviation e.g.. to dispense Achromycin for "Achro" may
cause difficulty when the intention of the prescriber is to dispense Achrostatin. The abbreviation
"SSKI" represents the use of a short hand for saturated solution and chemical symbols for
potassium iodide

[2]. Name of the drug:

There are certain drugs whose name look or sound like those of other drugs. Some of the
examples of such drugs are as under:

Digitoxin Digoxin
Prednisone Prednisolone
Indocin. Lincocin
Doridon Doxidan
Pabalate Robalate
Ananase Orinase

Name of the pharmaceutical products have been changed on certain occasion due to the
possible confusion with the name of the other product e.g. the name of potassium supplement
was changed from Kalyum to Kolyum because of the possible confusion of the former
designation with valium.

[3]. Strength of the preparation:

The strength of the preparation should be stated by the prescriber. It is essential when various
strengths of a product are available in the market. For example, it will be a wrong decision on
the part of a pharmacist to dispense paracetamol tablet 500 mg when prescription for
paracetamol tablet-is received with no specific strength.

[4]. Dosage form of the drug prescribed:

Many medicines are available in more than one dosage form e.g., liquid, tablet, capsule and
suppository. The pharmaceutical form of the product should be written on the prescription in
order to avoid ambiguity.

[5]. Dose:

Unusually high or low doses should be discussed with the prescriber. Paediatric dosage may
present a problem. So pharmacists should consult paediatric posology to avoid any error.
Sometimes a reasonable dose is administered too frequently e.g., a prescription for sustained
release formulation to be administered after very four hours should be thoroughly checked
because such dosage forms are usually administered only two or three times a day.

[6]. Instructions for the patient:

The instructions for the patient which are given in the prescription are incomplete or omitted.
The quantity of the drug to be taken, the frequency and timing of administration, and route of
administration should be clearly given in the prescription so as to avoid any confusion.

[7]. Incompatibilities:

It is essential to check that there are no pharmaceutical or therapeutic incompatibilities in a

prescribed preparation and that different medicines prescribed for the same patient do not
interact with each other to produce any harm to the patient. Certain Antibiotics should not be
given with meals since it significantly decrease the absorption of the drug.

Solid Dosage Forms

The solid dosage forms are available mostly in unit dosage forms (consisting of doses which are
taken by numbers), such as, table capsules, pills, cachets or powders. When drugs are to be
administered orally in dry state, tablets and capsules are the most convenient dosag form. They
are effective and patients have no problem in their handling and administration. Some solids re
packed and supplied in bu powder. The bulk powders meant for external use are dusting
powder insufflations, snuffs and tooth powder. The bulk powders meant for internal use are
supplied either as granules or fine powder.

POWDERS

A pharmaceutical powder is a mixture of finely divided drug and chemicals in dry form. These
are solid dosage form of medicament which are meant for internal and external use. They are
available is crystalline or amorphous form. The particle size of powder plays an important role in
physical, chemical and biological properties of the dosage formis. There is a relationship
between particle size of powder and dissolution, absorption and therapeutic efficacy of drugs.

Advantages of Powders:

(1) Powders are one of the oldest dosage form and are used both internally and externally.

(2) Powders are more stable than liquid dosage form.

(3) It is convenient for the physician to prescribe a specific amount of powdered-medication

depending upon the need of the patient.

(4) The chances of incompatibility are less as compared to liquid dosage form.

(5) The onset of action of powdered drug is rapid as compared to other solid dosage form, e.g.
tablets, capsules or pills. Due to smaller particle size of powder, it get dissolved easily in body
fluid.

This rapid dissolution increases the blood concentration in the shorter time and hence the drug
action is produced in a shortest period.

(6) Powders are more easy to carry than the liquid dosage forms.

(7) Large quantity of powdered drugs can be easily administered to the patient orally by
dissolving or mixing the powder in a suitable liquid.

(8) Small children and elderly patients cannot swallow solid dosage forms, such as, tablets and
capsules. They can easily take the powdered drug as such or dispersed in water or any other
liquid.

(9) Powders are more economical as compared to other solid dosage form, because these are
prepared extemporaneously without involving any special machinery and techniques.
Disadvantages of Powders:

[1] Drugs having bitter, nauseous and unpleasant taste cannot be dispensed in powdered form.

(2) Deliquescent and hygroscopic drugs cannot be dispensed in powder form.

(3) Drugs which get affected by atmospheric conditions are not suitable for dispensing in powder
forms.

(4) The dispensing of powder is a time consuming.

(5) Quantity less than 100 mg or so, cannot be weighed conveniently on dispensing balance.

GENERAL METHOD OF PREPARATION OF POWDERS

During powdering, weighing and mixing, there is a loss of powder. which cannot be avoided.
Therefore, calculate the quantity for one extra powder than required. Sometimes a fraction of
weight is the required quantity to be weighed and dispensed. In such cases a suitable number
of extra powders may be calculated to produce directly weighable quantity.

The dispensing balance are not very sensitive. It is difficult to weigh the quantity less than 2
grain or 100 mg on the dispensing balance. Therefore, the quantities weighing less than 2 grain
or 100 mg must be triturated with a suitable diluent such as lactose, so that the quantities are
made weighable on dispensing balance.

The crystalline substances are powdered separately and then weigh the required quantity of
each ingredient. Mix all the ingredients in the ascending order of their weights and mix
thoroughly to obtain a homoge neous powder. Weigh the required number of powders and wrap
in the papers. The hygroscopic, deliquescent and volatile substances require to be double
wrapped. The inner wrapper is usually made from wax paper, so as to prevent volatilisation and
absorption of moisture from the atmosphere.

MIXING OF POWDERS:

The powders may be mixed by any one of the following methods:

1. Spatulation
2. Trituration
3. Geometric dilution
4. Sifting 5. Tumbling

1. Spatulation:
In this method, mixing of powders is done by the movement of a spatula throughout the
powders on a sheet of a paper or on a porcelain tile. The method is very useful in mixing:

(a) Small amount of powder.

(b) Solid substances that liquefy or form eutectic mixtures, in close and prolonged contact with
one another since very little compression or compact results.

The method is not suitable for large quantities of powders or for powders containing one or
more potent substances because homogenous blending may not occur.

2. Trituration:

It is used both to reduce particle size and mix powders. particle size reduction is desired along
with mixing of powders, a porcelain mortar with a rough inner surface is preferred to a glass
mortar with a smooth working surface. A glass mortar may be preferred for chemicals that may
stain a porcelain surface and for simple mixture of substances without special need for
comminution. A glass mortar cleans more readily after use.

3. Geometric dilution:

The method is used when potent sub stances are to mixed with a large amount of diluent. The
potent drug is placed upon an approximately equal volume of the diluent in a mortar and the
substances are slightly mixed by trituration. A second portion of diluent equal in volume to the
powder mixture in the mortar is added and trituration is repeated. The process is continued,
adding diluent equal in volume to the mixture in the mortar at each step, until all the diluent is
incorporated.

For example, if 100 mg of potent drug is required to be mixed with 900 mg of lactose, then
according to geometric dilution, the following procedure should be followed:

100 mg of a potent drug + 100 mg of lactose = 200 mg of mixture

200 mg of the mixture + 200 mg of lactose= 400 mg of mixture

400 mg of the mixture + 400 mg of lactose = 800 mg of mixture

800 mg of the mixture + remaining portion = 1000 mg of mixture of lactose

4. Sifting:

The powders are mixed by passing through sifters. This process results in a light fluffy product
and is generally not accept able for incorporation of potent drugs into a diluent base.
5. Tumbling:

Tumbling is the process of mixing powders in a large container rotated by an electric motor.
These blenders are widely employed in industry as large volume powder mixers.

Packing of Powders:

Powders may be wrapped in paper or dispensed in bulk powder in a wide mouth container.

Wrapping of powders:

White glazed paper is generally used for wrapping. The wrapping should be done on a clean tile
or large sheet of a glazed paper to protect the product. The powders are wrapped in the
following manner:

(1) Cut the required number of powder papers in a suitable size i.e. 120 mm x100 mm.

(2) Arrange the papers with their long edges and turn up the long edge of each paper to about
one-seventh of its width.

(3) Weigh out the powder and place it in the centre of each paper.

(4) Place the unfolded edge of paper under the folded edge so that it lies exactly in fold of the
first fold. Then give another fold to the first fold bringing it in the centre.

(5) Finally bend 1/4th of each end sharply to bring the ends in the middle of the powder on a
plain side.

(6) Firm the creases using a clean flexible spatula but avoid excessive pressure which would
cause caking of enclosed powder.

(7) The packets are arranged in pairs, flap to flap and restrained with an elastic band.

(8) The wrapped powders are send in an envelope if the number of powders are less than six. In
case of large quantity, the boxes are preferred.

In a well-wrapped powder, there should be no powder within the flaps or folds. When powder is
opened, for administration, the powdered material should appear in the centre of the paper.

Double wrapping:

White glazed paper gives inadequate protection to volatile, hygroscopic and deliquescent
substances unless it is lined with waxed paper. The lining is cut a few mm smaller each way
than the white glazed paper and it is quite satisfactory to fold both papers together. In
exceptional cases, each packet may be wrapped externally in aluminium foil.

Labelling:

Patient should be instructed that individual powder should be dispersed in a little water or
placed on the back of the tongue before swallowing.

CLASSIFICATION OF POWDERS

The powders are classified as

(1) Bulk powder for internal use

(2) Bulk powder for external use
(3) Simple and compound powder for internal use
(4) Powders enclosed in cachets and capsules
(5) Compressed powders (tablets)

1. Bulk Powder for Internal Use

Powders are dispensed in bulk, when accuracy of dosage is not important. Bulk powder
contains several doses of powder.
They are supplied in wide-mouthed containers that permits easy removal of a spoonful of
powder. The non potent substances which are supplied in bulk are antacids and laxatives' etc.

Example 7.1 Send 25.0 g of compound rhubarb powder B.P.C. (Gregory's Powder)

Rx

Rhubarb, in powder. 250.0 g

Light magnesium carbonate Heavy 325.0 g
Magnesium carbonate. 325.0 g
Ginger, in powder 100.0 g

Make a powder.
Direction: 0.5 to 5.0 g to be taken twice a day.

Method:

Powder all the ingredients. Weigh the required quantity of rhubarb, light magnesium carbonate,
heavy magnesium carbonate and ginger. Mix them in ascending order of their weight. Transfer
the powder in a wide-mouthed bottle and dispense.

Example 7.2 Send 50.0 g of compound bismuth powder.

Rx
 Calcium carbonate. 75.0 g
Heavy magnesium carbonate 75.0 g
Sodium bicarbonate 25.0 g
Bismuth carbonate. 25.0 %

Make a powder.
Direction : 5 g to be taken two times a day.

2. Bulk Powders for External Use:

Bulk powder meant for external use are non potent substances. These powders are supplied in
cardboard, glass or plastic containers. which are often designed for the specific method of
application. The dusting powders are preferably supplied in perforated or sifter top con tainers.
The container should bear a label indicating that the powder is meant for external application.

The bulk powders which are commonly used for external applications are as follows:

(a) Dusting powders

(b) Insufflations
(c) Snuffs
(d) Dentifrices

(a) Dusting powders:

These are meant for external application to

the skin and are generally applied in a very fine state of sub division to void local irritation.
Hence, dusting powders should be passed through sieve no. 85 (180 μm) to enhance their
effectiveness.

Dusting powders are of two types:

(i) Medical

(ii) Surgical

Medical dusting powders are used mainly for superficial skin condi tions, whereas surgical
dusting powder are used in body cavities and also on major wounds as a result of burns and
umbilical cords of infants Surgical dusting powders must be sterilised before their use, whereas
medical dusting powders must be free from pathogenic microorganisms

Dusting powders are generally prepared by mixing two or more ingredients one of which must
be either starch, talc or kaolin as one of the ingredients of the formulation. Talc and kaolin are
more commonly used because these are chemically inert. However, since such ingredi ents are
readily contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, these must be sterilised by dry heat method
(160° for 2 hours) before their use.

The dusting powders are mainly used for their antiseptic, astringent, absorbent, antiperspirant
and antipruritic action.

The dusting powders are dispensed in sifter-top containers or aerosol containers. The pressure
aerosol containers are costlier than the sifter top containers but they help in the easy application
of the preparation. Dusting powders may also be applied with powder puff or sterilised gauze
pad.

Dusting powders are generally considered to be nontoxic but the inhalation of its fine powdered
ingredients by infants may lead to pulmonary inflammation. So proper care must be taken while
handling these preparations.

Example 7.3 Dispense 50.0 g of dusting powder.

Purified tale, sterilised 50.0 g

Starch, in powder. 25.0 g
Zinc oxide, in powder 20.0 g
Salicylic acid, in powder 5.0 g

Make a powder.
Direction Applied on the affected part two or three times a day.

Method:

Powdered all the ingredients. Weigh the required quantity of purified talc, starch, zinc oxide and
salicylic acid. Mix them in ascending order of their weight. Pass the mixed powder through a
sieve no. 85. After sifting again mix lightly. Transfer the powder in sifter top containers to protect
it from atmospheric contamination.

(b) Insufflations:

These are medicated dusting powders meant for introduction into the body cavities such as
nose, throat, ears and vagina with the help of an apparatus known as 'insufflator'. It sprays the
powder into a stream of finely divided particles all over the site of application. The following
difficulties are however generally faced while using the insufflators:

(i) It is difficult to obtain a measured quantity of the drug as a uniform dose.

(ii) It gets blocked when it is slightly wet or the powder used is wet.

Insufflations should be in finely divided powders so that a stream of fine particles of

medicaments gets applied to the site of application. Nowadays, the insufflations are available in
the form of pressure aero sols. These are used for administration of potent drugs. This method
has the advantage of excellent control of dose through metered valves. Moreover, it also
protects the product from external environment.

Insufflations are used to produce a local effect, as in the treatment of ear, nose and throat
infection with antibiotics or to produce a systemic effect from a drug that is destroyed in the gut.

(c) Snuffs:

These are finely divided solid dosage forms of medication which are inhaled into nostrils for its
antiseptic, bronchodilator and decongestion action.
Snuffs are dispensed in flat metal boxes with hinged lid.

(d) Dentifrices (tooth powders):

These are applied with the help of a tooth brush for cleaning the surface of the teeth. They
contain a suitable detergent or soap, some abrasive substance and a suitable flavour. The
abrasive agents such as calcium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate and
sodium chloride are used in fine powder. A strong abrasive substance should however not to be
used as it may damage the tooth structure.

Example 7.4 Dispense 50.0 g of dentifrices (NFXI)

Rx

Hard soap, in fine powder 50.0 g

Precipitated calcium carbonate. 935.0 g
Saccharin sodium 2.0 g
Peppermint oil 4.0 ml
Cinnamon oil 2.0 ml
Methyl salicylate. 8.0 ml

Make a tooth powder.

Direction: To be applied on the surface of the teeth with the help of tooth brush.

Method:

Triturate the saccharin sodium, the oils and methyl sali. cylate with about one half of the
precipitated calcium carbonate and mix the soap with the remaining portion of the precipitated
calcium carbon ate. Mix the two powders thoroughly and then pass it through a fine sieve.

3. Simple and Compound Powders for Internal Use

In this form of powder, each individual dose is enclosed in paper. The number of ingredients
may be one (simple powder) or more than one (compound powder). The minimum quantity of
each powder should not be less than 100 mg so that it can be handled conveniently by patient
and can be weighed accurately.

While dispensing simple and compound powders following rules should be observed.

(i) Weigh out material for one powder more than required.

(ii) If this produces quantities in fraction which is not directly weighable, calculate for sufficient
extra powders to produce directly weighable quantity.

(iii) If the total weight of each powder includes a fraction of a gram, add the calculated amount
of lactose to make each powder directly weighable.

(iv) If the powder contains a liquid, the weight of which is unknown, adjust the mixed material by
the addition of lactose, so that each powder is directly weighable.

(a) Simple powder:

A simple powder contains only one ingredient either in crystalline or amorphous form. When the
powder is in crystalline form, it is reduced to fine powder, weighed the powder and divided into
number of doses and wrapped as individual doses.

Example 7.5 Dispense six powders of "Aspirin", each powder contains 300 mg of aspirin.

Rx

Aspirin. 300 mg

Make powder.
Direction : one powder to be taken after every eight hours.

Method:

Powder the aspirin and weigh the calculated quantity of aspirin. Weigh 300 mg of aspirin for
each powder. Wrap each dose in individual powder paper and prepare six such powder. Pack it
flap to flap and restrained with elastic band.

(b) Compound powders:

Compound powders contain two or more than two substances which are mixed together and
then divided into desired number of individual doses which are dispensed into each powder
paper.

Example 7.6 Dispense eight powders of A.P.C.

Rx

Aspirin 300 mg
Paracetamol 150 mg
Caffeine 50 mg

Make a powder.
Direction: One powder to be taken when need arises.

Method:

Powdered all the ingredients. Weigh the calculated quantity of aspirin, paracetamol and
caffeine. Mix them in ascending order of their weight. Weigh 500 mg of the mixed powders for
each powder. Prepare eight such powder. Wrap each dose in individual powder paper. Pack in
pairs flap to flap and restrained with elastic band.

4. Powders Enclosed in Cachets

Cachets are the solid unit dosage form of drugs. These are moulded from rice paper, which is
made by pouring a mixture of rice flour and water between two hot, polished, revolving
cylinders. The water evapo rates and a sheet of wafer is formed. Cachets are used to enclose
nauseous disagreeable powders and are available in different sizes to hold drugs from 0.2 to 1.5
g of powder.

Cachets are also known as wafer capsule. They are quite hard to swallow as such but they are
softened by dipping in water for a few seconds and then placed on the tongue and swallowed
with a draught of water. After swallowing cachet gets disintegrate and drug is released.

Advantages of Cachets

● They can be made easily because no complicated machinery is required.

● They disintegrate quickly in the stomach.
● The drug can be easily dispensed in cachets.
● Large doses of drug can be swallowed by using cachets, because once they get
softened by immersion in water, even large sized cachets can be swallowed readily
without any difficulty.

Disadvantages of Cachets

● They must be softened before swallowing.

● They are easily damaged.
● They cannot protect the enclosed drug from light and moisture.
● The shell of cachets are fragile, so the drug contents cannot be compressed in cachets.
● They are not suitable for filling the drug by large-scale machinery.
 ● They occupy more space than the corresponding sizes of capsules and tablets.

Types of Cachets:

a) Wet seal cachets

b) Dry seal cachets

(a) Wet seal cachets:

A wet seal cachet is made up of two similar convex halves having flat edges. The weighed
quantity of powdered drug is placed in one half, the edges of the other half are moistened with
water and placed exactly over the first half containing the drug. The flat edges of both the halves
are pressed together in order to seal it perfectly.

(b) Dry seal cachets:

Dry seal cachets consist of two halves, the upper half and the lower half. The diameter of the
upper half is slightly larger than the lower half. The powdered drug is filled in the lower half and
the upper half is fitted over it. The filled cachets are then sealed in a machine by pressing the
two halves, removed and packed in boxes.

The B.P.C. includes two cachets, sodium aminosalicylate and sodium aminosalicylate with
isoniazid. These drugs have unpleasant taste. The daily dose of sodium aminosalicylate is up to
20 g which is normally taken in a 1.5 g cachets.

Packing and storage of cachets:

The cachets are packed in boxes or tins in which they are placed on their edges or lying flat.
The container containing cachets should be labelled with a direction for its use: "Immerse in
water for a few seconds and then swallow with a draught of water."

5. Tablet Triturates (Moulded Tablets)

These are powders moulded into tablets. Moulded tablets are flat, circular disc and usually
contains a potent substance which is mixed with lactose, dextrose or some other suitable
diluent.

The apparatus used for the preparation of tablet triturates is made of stainless steel or plastic. It
consists of an upper perforated plate which is having an exactly the same number of holes as
that of number of pegs in a lower plate. The lower plate also have two large pegs which ensure
correct fitting of the plates. The moulds are available in several sizes having a capacity ranging
from 30 to 250 mg. Generally 50 to 250 tablet triturates can be prepared at a time from a tablet
triturate mould.
The solid medicament and diluent are finely powdered and converted into a stiff paste with the
help of alcohol 60%. The upper plate of the apparatus is placed on a clean tile and the paste is
pressed into the holes with a spatula. While filling the holes of the upper plate, every care is
taken to fill each hole completely and removes the excess. This plate is placed over the lower
plate. A little pressure is applied over the top plate which will force the plate move downward,
leaving the mould tablets on the projected pegs. The ejected tablets are spread in a single
layers on clean surface and dried in a hot air oven or by keeping in warm place.

Nowadays automatic tablet triturate machines are available which can prepare 2500 tablet
triturates per minute.

Calibration of the mould: The exact capacity of each mould must be determined before use.
This is done by taking about 7.5 g of lactose in a mortar. Make into a stift paste with 60 percent
alcohol. Fill the perforations and press out the tablets. Dry them for at least 24 hours, to ensure
complete volatilisation of the alcohol. Weigh only those tablets which are smooth and perfect.
Calculate the weight for the whole number.

Displacement value of medicaments:

It means to find out the proportion of medicament which displaces one part of lactose. Normally,
when the proportion of medicament in a tablet triturate is small, any difference between its
density and that of lactose may be ignored. However, when the proportion is large and its
density differs considerably from that of lactose, a suitable correction is made in order to ensure
the correct content of medicament must be present in each tablet triturate.

Containers:

The tablet triturates are packed in an air-tight container to protect from moisture. It is better to
pack it in a single row in a narrow tube sealed with plug type closure.

Storage of tablet triturate : The tablet triturates are stored in a cool place.

DISPENSING OF POWDERS
INVOLVING SPECIAL PROBLEMS

A number of problems arise while dispensing a powder containing volatile substances,

hygroscopic and deliquescent powders, eutectic mixtures, efflorescent powders, liquids,
explosive substances and potent drugs. So special considerations are done while dispensing
such powders.

Volatile substances:

Certain vegetable powders contain volatile oils. To prevent the loss of volatile oils, these
vegetable drugs must be powdered lightly in a mortar. Similarly the volatilization of substances
like menthol, camphor and essential oils may take place on incorporation in powders. This is
prevented or at least minimized by the use of double wrapping. The inner wrapper should be of
wax paper and outer wrapper may be of any thick paper.

Hygroscopic and deliquescent powders:

The powders which absorb moisture from the atmosphere are called hygroscopic powders. But
certain powders absorb moisture to such a great extent that they go into solution and are called
deliquescent powders. Examples of such substances include ammonium chloride, iron and
ammonium citrate, pepsin, phenobarbitone, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium citrate,
zinc chloride etc.

Such substances are usually supplied in granular form in order to expose less surface area to
the atmosphere. These powders should not be finely powdered. Such powders should be
double wrapped. In humid weather or when dealing with very deliquescent substances, further
wrapping in aluminium foil or plastic cover is advisable.

Efflorescent powders:

Some crystalline substances liberate water of crystallisation wholly or partly on exposure to

humid atmosphere or during trituration and thus become wet or liquefy. Example of such
substances include caffeine, citric acid, ferrous sulphate etc. This difficulty may be overcome by
using either corresponding anhydrous salt or an inert substance may be mixed with efflorescent
substance before incorporating with other ingredients.

Eutectic mixtures:

When two or more substances are mixed together they liquefy due to the formation of a
compound which has a lower melting point than the individual substances. Such substances are
called eutectic substances. Example of such substances include menthol, thymol, camphor,
phenol, salol, aspirin, phenacetin, chloral hydrate etc.

These substances can be dispensed by two methods:

(1) Dispense as a separate set of powders with directions that one set of each kind shall be
taken as a dose.

(2) An equal amount of any inert absorbent like magnesium carbonate, light magnesium oxide,
kaolin, starch. lactose, calcium phosphate etc. may be mixed with eutectic substance and then
blended together lightly with a spatula on a sheet of paper When in addition to liquefying
substances, other ingredients are also present, the liquefiable substances should first be
triturated together to form the eutectic mixture. Then the remaining ingre. Dients of the
prescription are incorporated and mixed together.
Example 7.8 Dispense 50 g of the following insufflation.

Rx

Menthol. 5.0 %
Camphor 5.0 g
Ammonium chloride 30.0 g
Light magnesium carbonate 60.0 g

Make an insufflation.
Direction: To be used as directed.

Method:

Separately powder each ingredient and weigh the required quantity of menthol, camphor and
ammonium chloride. Mix them in ascending order of their weight in a mortar to form a liquid. Add
light magnesium carbonate to make a free flowing powder. Pass the powder through number 85
sieve and dispense the powder in an airtight container.

Liquids:

In certain prescriptions, the liquid medicaments are also incorporated in dispensing powders. If
the quantity of the liquid is small, it may be triturated with an equal amount of powder, then the
rest of the ingredients are incorporated in small portions with continuous trituration. If the
quantities of liquids are larger than an absorbent must be added.

Liquid extracts and tinctures are evaporated to syrupy mass in a china dish. Lactose or some
other suitable diluent is mixed and then continue the evaporation to dryness. Mix other
ingredients. Another alternative is to substitute a liquid extract by a dry extract.

Explosive substances:

When an oxidising substance, such as potassium chlorate is mixed with a reducing substance,
such as tannic acid, there are chances of violent explosion which may lead to serious
consequences.

Potent drugs:

The substances having a maximum dose of less than one grain (60 mg) and poisonous
substances are regarded as the potent drugs. Small quantities of potent drugs should not be
weighed on dispensing balance. The potent drug is triturated with some diluent such as lactose
in definite proportion to make a weighable quantity for each powder. Generally potent drug is
reduced to fine powder and to this an equal quantity of diluent is mixed by thorough trituration in
a mortar. Then the rest of the diluent is incorporated in successive portions with thorough
trituration each time. The whole of the diluent should never be added to the drug at one time
otherwise the potent drug will not be mixed uniformly and thoroughly in the diluent.

Granular powders:

There are certain solid medicaments which are required to be administered orally in large
doses. They cannot be prescribed in tablets and capsules because a large number of them will
be required to take as a single dose, which is not possible. These medicaments are difficult to
dispense as such in powder form because of its bitter, nauseous and unpleasant taste. It is also
difficult to convert it into liquid dosage form due to stability problems. The only alternative left is
to convert these powdered medicaments into granular form.

The solid medicaments are mixed with sweetening, flavouring and colouring agent. A suitable
granulating agent is added to moisten the powders so as to make a coherent mass. Pass the
coherent mass through sieve number 10 to make granules. Dry the granules in a hot air oven at
a temperature not exceeding 60°C. The dry granules are passed through sieve number 20 and
store in a dry well closed wide mouth bottle.

Nowadays, various antibiotics like erythromycin, phenoxymethyl peni cillin, ampicillin etc., which
are unstable in solution are prepared in the dry granular form in which drug is mixed with
suspending, sweetening. flavouring, colouring and granulating agents. The granules are packed
in a special type of bottles with a specific direction on label for the patient to add a specified
amount of freshly boiled and cooled water to dissolve it or shake well to form a homogenous
solution. The prepared label should also state the time limit within which the reconstituted
preparation should be consumed.

Effervescent granules:

Effervescent granules are the specially prepared solid dosage form of medicament, meant for
internal use. They contain a medicament mixed with citric acid, tartaric acid and sodium
bicarbonate. Sometimes saccharin or sucrose may be added as a sweet ening agent. Before
administration, the desired quantity is dissolved in water, the acid and bicarbonate react
together producing effervescence. The carbonated water produced from the release of carbon
dioxide serves to mask the bitter and saline taste of drugs. Moreover, carbon dioxide stimulates
the flow of gastric juice and helps in the absorption of medicament.

Method of Preparation of Effervescent granules:

There are two methods of preparation of effervescent granules:

(1) Heat method

(2) Wet method

(1) Heat method:

A large porcelain or stainless steel evaporating dish is placed over the boiling water bath. The
dish must be sufficiently hot before transferring the powder into it, to ensure liberation of the
water of the crystallisation from the citric acid. If heating of the dish is delayed, the powder
which is added to it, will heat up slowly and the liberated water of crystallisation will go on
evaporating simultaneously. As a result, sufficient water will not be available to make a coherent
mass.

The water needed for granulation is provided from two sources:

(i) From water crystallisation of citric acid. The citric acid contains one molecule of water of
crystallisation which is liberated during heating.

(ii) The water produced from the reactions of citric acid and tartaric acid with sodium
bicarbonate.

Generally, heating stage takes 1 to 5 minutes. The damp mass is then passed through a sieve
to prepare the granules of suitable size, dried in an oven at a temperature not exceeding 60°C
and then packed in an airtight container.

Loss of weight occurs during granulation as a result

(1) evaporation from the damp mixture.

(2) loss of carbon dioxide.

These losses constitute approximately one-seventh of the weight of powder used and must be
taken into consideration while calculating the quantity of granules to be prepared.

(2) Wet method:

In this method, the mixed ingredients tened with a non-aqueous liquid (e.g. alcohol) to prepare a
coherent mass which is then passed through a number 8 sieve and dried in an oven at a
temperature not exceeding 60°C. The dried granules are again passed through the sieve to
break the lumps which may be formed during drying. The dried granules are packed in air tight
containers.

Direction: One teaspoonful to be taken in water after each meal

Method:
Mix the ingredients in ascending order of weight. Place all the powders in the hot china dish on
a boiling water-bath. Press with spatula until damp coherent mass is produced. Pass the damp
mass through sieve No. 8 superposed upon a No. 20 and dried the graules. Finely powder the
iron and ammonium citrate and mixed with dried granules. Transfer the granules into a
wide-mouthed bottle or separately wrapped in double powder papers and labelled.

PILLS

Pills are oral unit dosage form. These are small spherical or ovoid masses which are required to
be made at the dispensing counter. These are rarely prepared extemporaneously nowadays. No
formulae for pills are given in the latest edition of Indian pharmacopoeia. These are also not
prescribed by the physicians.

Essential Requirements for a Good Pill:

Following are the essential requirements for a good pill:

1.Solubility:

Pill should readily disintegrate in the intestinal tract. The majority of freshly prepared pills fulfil
this condition. But once they become dry and hard with the passage of time, they are less
soluble than freshly made pills. Sometimes they pass through the intestinal tract with out
disintegration. In large-scale manufacture, pills are usually coated with sugar and talc. The
coating is possible only on dry and hard pills.

2.Uniformity in weight:

The pills should be uniform in weight in order to ensure accurate dosage.

3.Homogenicity:

The medicament should be thoroughly and evenly distributed throughout the pill mass in order
to ensure accurate dosage.

4.Shape and size:

Pills should be round or oval in order to facilitate swallowing. Pills should not be too large or too
small for convenience in handling and swallowing. B.P.C. gives a general recommendation that
pills should not be less than 3 mm in diameter for pills weighing up to 1 grain (60 mg) and not
more than 8 mm for pills weighing about 5 grains (300 mg)

5.Elegance and tastelessness:

Pills should be coated to mask taste and to improve elegance. Sugar coating or varnishing does
not delay disintegration because these coatings are quickly washed off in the intestinal tract.

Formulation of Pills

Pills are made from pill masses which may contain three classes of substances:

(1) The medicinally active ingredients.

(2) A diluent which is required in case the quantity of active ingredient is very small.

(3) Excipients which are required to form a firm, plastic and adhe sive pill mass.

The commonly used excipients are:

(1) Binding agent:

which is used to bind the particles to assist adhesion e.g. acacia (5-10%), tragacanth (5%),
compound powder of acacia (a mixture of equal parts of acacia and tragacanth), syrup of liquid
glucose, beeswax, lanolin and wool fat. Lanolin is used in combination with kaolin for oxidising
substances and for pills containing oils whereas wool fat is used in combination with kaolin for
hygroscopic substances.

(2) Absorbing agent:

This is necessary in pills containing oily ingredients e.g. kaolin, liquorice root powder, curd soap
and hard soap.

(3) Fluid or semi solid:

This is required to render the pill mass

plastic e.g. syrup of liquid glucose.

1.Preparation of Pills

The following steps are required to prepare good quality of pills.

1. Preparation of pill mass: Pill mass is prepared as follows:

(1) Mix all the solid ingredients in ascending order of weight in a pill-mortar.

(ii) Add any liquid ingredient and mix thoroughly by trituration.

(iii) Add the fluid or semi-solid excipient, a little at a time with trituration until proper pill mass is
formed. In general, the mass is completed when it tends to peel from the sides of the mortar
Remove the mass from the mortar and kneaded between the fingers.

2. Rolling, cutting and rounding:

The weighed quantity of pill mass is then rolled out on the flat board of the pill machine to the
exact length for the number of pills required. The pill pipe thus formed should be perfectly
cylindrical in order to prepare pills of equal size. The pill pipe is cut into equal parts with the help
of cutter. The cutter is usually dusted with powder to prevent adhesion of the pills. Liquorice
powder is used for dark pills and kaolin for light pills. The cui part of pill pipe is made round with
pill rounder. Talc is used to dust the pills to make them rotate easily and smoothly. The rounded
pills are then placed on a pill-rounder and gently rubbed with a powder paper to remove the talc.
Dispense the pills in a pill box or subjected to coating if it is required.

3. Coating :

Coated pills are often more stable than the uncoated pills. They are more elegant. The following
types of coating are generally done on pills:

1.Varnishing:

The varmish used is a sandarac varnish which is prepared from the following formula:—

Sandarac 1 part
Absolute alcohol 2 parts
Ether 2 parts

Dissolve sandarac in absolute alcohol and ether in a closed bottle by mccasional shaking.
Decant the clear liquid to remove debris.

Method:

Smear a pill tile or white glazed tile and glass rod with almond oil. Place one drop of varnish per
pill into a flat-covered pot. Add the pills, cover it and rotate quickly for about 15 seconds. Gently
shake the pills on to the slab. Turn each pill over after half a minute. Repeat this after an interval
of about one minute. Leave it to dry. Generally one coating is sufficient. But in some cases one
coat of varnish is partially absorbed by the pills, which make them to appear dull. In such cases
second coating of varnish should be given.

2. Sugar-coating:
This coating is not easily applied by hand. It is done by using a special apparatus on a large
scale. Sugar is applied in the form of a dilute syrup. The following material is required in small
scale work:

Mixture A Syrup } equal parts

Mucilage of acacia.

Mixture B Sugar in fine powder. 7 parts

Starch 1 parts

Method:

Spread sufficient quantity of mixture B to cover the bottom of a covered pot. Moistened the pills
with mixture A and dropped them into a pot and rapidly rotated for about a minute. Transferred
the pills into a clean pot and again rotated. This is done to detach any loosely held powder. The
pills are then allowed to dry for about 10 minutes. This process is repeated 2-3 times to give a
dense white finish to the pills. After drying the pills are finally polished by rotating them in a
clean pot, containing a small ball of spermaceti.

3. Enteric coating:

This coating is done to prevent the pills from disintegration in the stomach but to break up in the
intestine.

Such type of coating is done in following cases:

(a) The drug causes irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach.

(b) The drug get decomposed or destroyed by acidic medium of the stomach.

(c) The action of medicament is required in the intestine e.g. anthelmintics and amoebicides are
required to be absorbed from intestines to have the maximum effect at the site of parasitic
worms and protozoa.

(d) The drug absorption is better in the intestine.

The material commonly used for enteric coating of pills are keratin, shellac, salol, and stearic
acid. Gelatin treated with formaldehyde has also been used. Nowadays cellulose acetate
phthalate solution in acetone is commonly used for enteric coating of pills.

The solution of enteric coated material is prepared in volatile organic solvent and number of
coatings are given as per requirements in the same manner as given in varnishing.

4. Packing:
Pills are finally packed in shallow circular pill boxes with flanged edges. A disc of wax paper or a
thin circle of cotton wool, should be placed on top and bottom. The box should be sufficiently
large to take all the pills in one layer to prevent them in losing their shape.

PASTILLES

Pastilles are solid medicated preparations intended to dissolve slowly in the mouth. They are
softer than lozenges. They consist of a base of glyco gelatin containing a medicament in
solution or suspension. They are allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth to have a prolonged
local action of medicament.

Glyco Gelatin pastille base B.P.C. is commonly used for preparing the pastilles. But the following
improved formula is used to prepare pas tilles of good qualities:

Gelatin 1 part

Glycerin 2½ part

Water 2½ part

Acacia is used to prepare pastilles on a large scale manufacture.

Preparation of Pastilles:

The pastilles are made by using following two types of moulds:

1. Metal moulds:

These consist of a number of saucer-shaped pieces of metal fixed on a plate. The cavities are
lubricated with liquid paraffin. The melted base along with medicament are filled to the brim to
ensure uniformity in size.

2. Starch moulds:

These are used in large-scale preparation. Trays measuring about 0.6 mx0.9 mx 50 mm are
fitted with lids to which are attached several rows of vulcanised rubber pastille shapes. Each
tray is filled with dried starch powder and the surface is levelled. The lid is pressed down and
then carefully raised. The depressions are formed in the starch corresponding to the rubber
shapes. The melted pastille mass is then filled into these depressions and allowed to harden.
The adherent starch is then removed from pastilles by rapid washing and then dried.
The capacity of the mould is determined by filling three or four depressions with the melted
base, allow them to set and then find the mean weight. After finding the capacity of the mould,
the pastilles are prepared.

Containers:
Pastilles are dispensed in flat boxes with hinged lids which are made of metal. The box should
be lined with the pastilles placed in layers. Each layer is being separated by a piece of waxed
paper or metal foil.

Storage Pastilles :
It should be placed in a cool and dry place.

Uniformity of weight:
Select 20 pastilles and find the average weight of a pastille. Weigh individual pastille. No pastille
should deviate from the average weight by more than 15 per cent and not more than one of
them by more than 10 per cent.

LOZENGES

These are solid preparations consisting of sugar and gum medicated with a substance usually
having a local action in the mouth and throat. They are also used for the slow administration of
indigestion and cough remedies. They are also called trouches. They are prepared either by
moulding and cutting or by compression. But nowadays they are prepared by the compression
method of preparation of tablets.

Moulded Lozenges:

These are usually prepared by mixing the medicaments in powder or solution, with the following
base:

Sucrose, in fine powder 100 g

Acacia, in fine powder 7g
Water a sufficient quantity

Powdered acacia is included in all the lozenges official in B.P.C. because it bind the ingredients
to form a plastic mass which can be rolled and cut without crumbling. The quantity of ingredients
should be enough to produce about 15 per cent more lozenges than required i.e. in order to
dispense 80-90 lozenges, sufficient mass should be prepared for 100 lozenges.

Apparatus :

Moulded lozenges are prepared with the help of lozenge board. It consist of two slightly tapered
bars fit into the sloping groove on each side of a thick board, above which they project to a
height which is slightly altered by moving them along the grooves. On the underside of the bars
are numerous saw cuts which fit over plates fixed across the ends of the grooves, thereby
retaining the bars in the desired position.

The roller rides on the projecting edge of the bars and rolls out the lozenge mass to uniform
thickness, which can be finely adjusted as stated above.

The lozenges are cut from the rolled cake by means of punches.

Method

(1) Knead the ingredients of lozenges in a mortar to produce a mass of the required
consistency. Weigh the mass. Divide it with number of lozenges to be prepared to find the
average weight of each lozenge.

(2) Roll out the mass on lozenge board previously dusted with powdered tale to uniform
thickness. Cut a trial lozenge and record its weight. It should be similar to average weight of
each lozenge. If it is above or below, the metal bars must be adjusted

accordingly and the mass re-rolled until the weight of the trial lozenge is exactly the desired
average weight.

(3) Cut out from the cake as many lozenges as possible. Re-mass and re-roller the remaining
mass left to make more lozenges.

(4) Place the lozenges on a slab dusted over with starch and dry in a hot air oven at 40°C for 24
hours in order to obtain uniform hardness.

(5) Dispense the lozenges similar to that of pastilles in a flat metal box with hinged lid.

Compressed Lozenges:

These are prepared by the method used in the preparation of tablets by compression Heavy
compression is necessary in order to ensure slow disintegration in the mouth. These generally
contain a sweetening agent, a flavouring agent and a substance which produces a cooling effect
along with medicaments.

Uniformity of weight

Select 20 lozenges at random and find the average weight of a lozenges. No lozenge should
deviate from the average weight by more than 15 per cent and not more than two by more than
10 per cent.

Containers Lozenges:
It should be packed in an air tight containers or strip packed.

Storage Lozenges:

May soften on storage and become mould, in damp conditions. Lozenges should be kept in a
cool dry place.

CAPSULES

Capsules are a solid dosage form in which the drug substance is enclosed in a water soluble
shell or an envelope. A capsule shell is made from gelatin. The capsules are available both as
hard capsule and soft capsule.

Advantages of Capsules:

A capsule is a very popular dosage form these days due to the following advantages:

● The drugs having unpleasant odour and taste can be adminis tered by enclosing them
in a tasteless shell.
● They are smooth, become very slippery when moist and can be easily swallowed.
● They are economical.
● They are easy to handle and carry.
● The capsules release the medicament as and when desired in gastro-intestinal tract.
● Capsules are made from gelatin and hence they are therapeutically inert.
● They are attractive in appearance.
● Capsules are available in various sizes and therefore suitable for all types of
medicaments and for administering the desired quantity of medicament in a single dose.
● Micro-capsulation provides the sustained released dosage form.

Disadvantages of Capsules:

● The hygroscopic drugs cannot be filled in capsules. They absorb water present in the
capsule shell and hence make it very brittle, which ultimately breaks into pieces.
● The concentrated preparations which need previous dilution are unsuitable for capsules
because it may lead to stomach irritation if administered as such.

TYPES OF CAPSULES

Capsules are available in two types:

1. Hard gelatin capsules
2. Soft gelatin capsules

1. Hard gelatin capsules:

These are used for administration of solid medicaments. The capsule shell is prepared from
gelatin, colour and titanium dioxide to make it opaque. It consists of two parts i.e. body and cap.
The powdered material is filled into the cylindrical body of the capsule and then the cap is
placed over it. The empty capsules are available in various sizes They are numbered according
to the capacity of the capsules. The number starts from 000 and goes up to 5.

Excipients used in the filling of capsules

While filling solid medi caments in a powder form into the body of a hard gelatin capsule, the
following additives, too, are included in the formulation:

1. Diluents:

The diluent is needed in certain cases where the quan tity of the medicament is too small in bulk
to get it filled in the smallest available capsule size. In such cases, diluent is added to bring the
medi cament up to the desired bulk. The commonly used diluents are lactose, mannitol, sorbitol,
starch etc. The quantities of the diluent to be incor porated depends on the dose of the
medicament and the capsule size.

2. Absorbents:

Sometimes the medicaments are physically incompatible with each other e.g. eutectic
substances or hygroscopic substances. In such cases, absorbents, such as oxides and
carbonates of magnesium and calcium and kaolin are added to the powdered drug. These inert
materials act as a protective sorbent.

3. Glidants:

To ensure a regular flow of powder into the automatic capsule machine glidants are mixed with
the medicaments. The various glidants used for this purpose are tale, magnesium stearate and
calcium stearate.

4. Antidusting compounds:

During the filling of capsules by an automatic filling machine, a lot of dust comes out of the
machine. The dust is inhaled by the operator of the machine. It can pose a serious health
hazard if allowed to be unchecked, especially, when the dust of the potent drugs is inhaled by
the workers. To avoid this, some anti dusting components, like inert edible oils, are added to the
formulation.

Methods of Filling the Hard Gelatin Capsules:

The capsules can be filled either by hand or by a semi-automatic device or by an automatic

filling machine.
It is not easy to fill the capsules by hand because of their small size.

For dispensing purpose one of the following procedure can be adopted:

(1) Calculate the quantity of each ingredient and mix them in a mortar in ascending order of their
weight. The powder is then placed on a glazed paper or glazed tile and spread it with a powder
spatula so that the layer of the powder is not more than one third of the length of the capsule.
The paper is held in the left hand, and body of the capsule, held in the right hand is pressed
repeatedly into the powder until the body is filled. Then the cap is replaced and check the weight
by keeping an empty capsule shell in the other pan of the balance as tare. The

method is not suitable for granular powders that do not bed well and therefore, fall out when the
inverted capsule is lifted. (2) Place a heap of powder on glazed paper or a clean glazed tile.
Hold the capsule on its side and push powder into the shell with the aid of a spatula until
required weight has been enclosed.

(3) In order to fill the capsules more hygienic, a simple apparatus as shown in Fig 7.5 can be
used. It consist of a plastic block (A) with rows of cavities which hold the capsules and allow
them to project slightly. Each row is designed to hold a different size of capsule. A plastic bridge
(B) contains a row of holes corresponding in position to the cavities in any row of the block. This
is used to support a long stemmed funnel so that the end of the stem of the funnel can pass into
the mouth of the capsule below.

A = plastic block; B = plastic

The capsule bodies are placed in the cavities in the block and a funnel of appropriate size is
passed through the hole in the bridge and down into the neck of the capsule. A weighed
quantity of powder is then passed down into the capsule with the help of funnel. A thin glass or
plastic rod or piece of wire is used to break any blockage and also as a plunger to loosely
compress the material inside the capsule. Place the cap on the capsule and then weigh it before
sealing.

(4) A capsule filling machine (hand operated) is used for filling of large number of capsules. With
a 200 hole machine, about 5000 capsules can be filled in one hour. Whereas in a machine
having 300 holes, about 7500 capsules can be filled in one hour.

By using above methods of filling of capsules, small amounts of the powder sticks to the sides
of the capsule. Moreover the whole process involves much handling of the capsules which
leaves finger prints on the capsules. Hence it is necessary to clean the capsules after filling. The
filled capsules are rolled in dry towel and very lightly sprinkle liquid paraffin. By doing so the
sticking material will be removed and it will impart shine to the capsules.

2. Soft Gelatin Capsules:

These are used for administration of liquid medicaments. Soft gelatin capsules are available in
round, oval and tube like shapes. They are made from gelatin. The gelatin is plasticized by the
addition of glycerin and sorbitol etc. The soft gelatin shell may contain a preserva tive to prevent
the growth of fungi. They are used to enclose liquid medicaments products. - oils, suspensions,
food concentrates and ophthalmic product.

Method of filling of soft gelatin capsules:

Soft gelatin capsules are generally filled mechanically. The manufacturing of the capsule shell
and the filling of the medicament take place simultaneously. Nowadays, a rotary machine is
used for this purpose.

Containers Capsules

It should be dispensed in tightly closed glass or plastic containers protected from dust and from
extremes of humidity and temperature.

Storage Capsules

It should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. The capsules contains 12 to 16%
water, varying with storage condition. When humidity is low, capsules become brittle and when
humidity is high, capsules become flaccid and shapeless. The storage of capsules in high
temperature can also affects the quality of hard capsule.

MARKETED SOLID DOSAGE FORMS

(A) Powders :

1. Prequest powder sached [Parke-Davis (India)]:

contains Sodium chloride 0.365%, Sodium acid phosphate 0.975%, Sodium citrate 1.839%,
Potassium chloride 2.330%, Magnessium sulphate 0.736%, Calcium lac tose 0.545% and
Dextrose anhydrous 89.900%.

2. Acidin (East India Pharmaceutical Works):

contains Magnessium carbonate 165 mg, Calcium carbonate 165 mg, Sodium bicarbonate 82
mg, Light Kaolin 105 mg, Belladonna herb 0.03 mg.

3. Electrobion [E. Merck (India) Ltd.]:

Each sachet of 28.5 g contains Sodium chloride 12.3%, Potassium chloride 5.3%, Sodium
citrate 10.2%, Dextrose anhydrous 70.21
4. Oral rehydration salts (NEPC Pharmachem) :

Each sachet of 27.5 g contains Sodium chloride 3.5 g, Potassium chloride 1.5 g, Sodium citrate
2.9 g, Anhydrous dextose 20 g.

(B) Dusting Powders :

1. Cibazol dusting powder (Hindustan Geigy):

contains 20% Sul phathiazole.

2. Neosporin dusting powder [Burrows Wellcome (India)] :

Each gm contains Polymyxin-B sulphate 5000 units, Zinc bacitracin 400 units, Neomycin
sulphate 3400 units.

3. Nebasulf dusting powder (Pfizer):

Neomycin sulphate 5 mg. Bacitracin 250 units, Sulphacetamide 60 mg.

4. Alsporin dusting powder (Alpine Industries):

Each gm contains Polymyxin-B sulphate 5000 units, Zinc bacitracin 400 units, Neomycin
sulphate 3400 units. 5. Mycoderm dusting powder (FDC): contains Salicylic acid 3% w/w.
Benzoic acid 6% w/w,

(C) Dentifrices:

1. Steradent denture cleansing power (Reckitt and Colman)

2. Clinsco-Dent (ICPA Health Products)

3. Sensoform tooth-paste with formalin (Warren Pharmaceuticals): contains Potassium nitrate

B.P. 5% in a flavoured base. Tooth paste with formalin.

4. Senosdent-K (Warren Pharmaceuticals) : contains Potassium nitrate B.P. 5% in a flavoured

base.

5. Thermoseal (IPCA Laboratories): contains Strontium chloride 10% w/w in favoured base.

6. Senolin (Warren Pharmaceuticals) : contains Strontium chloride 10% w/w in flavoured base.

(D) Granules:
1. Protinex granules (Pfizer): It is a multi-vitamin preparation.

2. Antepar granules [Burroughs Wellcome (1)]: Each sachet con tains Piperazine citrate
equivalent to 4.5 g of Piperazine hexahydrate and Calcium sennoside equivalent to 12 mg of
sennoside A & B.

3. Protinex granules (Pfizer): Multivitamin preparation with protein hydrolysate.

4. Protinules granules (Alembic Chemical Works Co.) : contains partially predigested milk
proteins and multivitamins.

5. Calcirol granules (Cadila Pharmaceuticals): 1 g sachet contains vitamin D3 60,000 IU.

6. Electral granules (FDC): Each 35 g sachet contains Sodium chloride 1.25 g, Potassium
chloride 1.5 g, Sodium citrate 2.9 g. Anhy drous dextrose 27 g.

(E) Dry Syrup:

1. Ampilin dry syrup (Lyka Labs.): Each 5 ml contains Ampicilli 125 mg. 2. Baxin dry syrup (Lyka
Labs.): Each 5 ml contains Ampicilli 62.5 mg and cloxacillin 62.5 mg

3. Blumox dry syrup (Blue Cross Laboratories): Each 5 ml con tains Amoxycillin 125 mg)

4. Alcephin dry syrup (Alembic Chemical Works Co.): Each 5 mi contains Cephalexin 125 mg

5. Blucef dry syrup (Blue Cross Laboratories): Each 5 ml contains Cephalexin 125 mg.

6. Althrocin dry syrup (Alembic chemical Works Co.): Each 5 ml contains Erythromycin 125 mg.

(F) Effervescent Powders :

1. Eno Fruit salt (Glaxo Smith Kline Asia)

2. Cetro-Soda [Abbott Laboratories (India)] : Each 4 g sachet contains Sodium citrate and
Sodium tartarate equal to Sodium bicarbonate 2.3 g

(G) Lozenges:

1. Alex cough lozenges (Lyka. Laboratories): Each lozenge con tains Dextromethophan
hydrobromide 5 mg.

2. TUSQ-D lozenges (Blue Cross Laboratories): Each lozenge contains Dextromethorphan 5

mg and Amyl metacresol 0.6 mg.
3. Dequadrin [Glaxo Allenburys, Glaxo (India)]: Each Lozenge contains Dequalinium chloride
0.25 mg.

4. Benylet lozenges [Parke Davis (India)]: Each contains Dipher hydramine hydrochloride 2 mg,
Ammonium chloride 20 mg, Sodium citrate 4 mg.