SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY

BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700

SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Name: Culhi, Ralph Aubrey B.

Year/Course: BSP-2
Pharmaceutics 1 (LEC)
Pharmaceutical Suppositories

Objectives
At the end of the topic, students should be able to:
1. Determine the different dosage forms which are intended for insertion to body cavities.
2. Describe the rationale for using suppository as an alternative to orally administered medicines.
3. Determine the bases used in its preparation.
4. Appreciate the advantages associated with these dosage forms.
5. Determine the appropriate storage, packaging and labeling of this dosage form.
6. Give examples of drugs formulated as suppositories or pessaries.

To accomplish the objectives of this topic, students will be asked to answer the following questions to
be submitted as attached file in the LMS

Guide questions for this topic

1. Differentiate rectal, vaginal, and urethral suppositories as to shape, size and use/application.
Suppositories Shape Size Application
Rectal Bullet shaped/Pencillike ½ to 1 inch Using the narrow end of the
shaped suppository it is inserted through
the rectum of the patient.
Vaginal Round oval/Egg shaped 5 mm in diameter, 50 mm Inserted through the female
about 2 inch in length genital/vagina
Urethral Slender Pencillike shape 3 to 6 mm in diameter and Inserted through the urethra of a
approximately 140 mm male/female genital with the narrow
about 5 ½ inch long end first.

2. Describe the attributes/characteristics, composition, and uses/application of intrauterine drug

delivery, vaginal insert and ring, and vaginal gel.
Characteristics
Intrauterine A small object placed
Drug Delivery inside the uterus above the
endometrium that is active
or medicated if it contains
a therapeutic agent This
system is a drug/device
combination that slowly
releases the active
ingredient.
Vaginal Insert A flexible, latex-free
and Ring plastic ring that's inserted
into the vagina.
Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems and Medical Devices
Uses/Application
Inserted into the uterus
(womb) to prevent
pregnancy.
To use a vaginal ring,
you squeeze the ring and
insert it into your
vagina (like inserting a
tampon). It stays in your
vagina for three weeks.
You then take it out and
throw it away and wait
seven days before inserting
a new ring.
Composition
An intrauterine device is a
highly effective, small, T-
shaped birth control
device made of flexible
plastic and copper.
Contains the hormones
estrogen and
progesterone, which are
released over a three-
week period.
1
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Vaginal Gel An anti-infective used to
treat bacterial vaginitis.
Wash hands before and
after use. Screw the
applicator to the tube and
squeeze the tube gently to
fill the applicator. Lie on
your back, part and bend
your knees. Insert
the applicator tip high in
the vagina and push the
plunger to release the gel
into the vagina.
Containing metronidazole
at a concentration of 7.5
mg/g (0.75%). The gel is
formulated at pH 4.0. The
gel also contains
carbomer 934P, edetate
disodium, methylparaben,
propylparaben, propylene
glycol, and sodium
hydroxide.

3. Describe the classifications of suppository bases.

Classifications Of Suppository
Bases
Fatty or Oleaginous Bases
Description/Definition
Fatty bases are the most commonly used suppository bases, owing to the
fact that cocoa butter belongs to this group of substances. Many
hydrogenated fatty acids of vegetable oils, such as palm kernel oil and
cottonseed oil, are among the other fatty or oleaginous materials used in
suppository bases.

Water-Soluble and Water-
Miscible Bases
Glycerinated gelatin and polyethylene glycols are the most common
members of this group. Glycerinated gelatin suppositories are made by
dissolving granular gelatin (20%) in glycerin (70%) and then adding water
or a medication solution or suspension (10%). In the preparation of vaginal
suppositories, a glycerinated gelatin base is most commonly used, as
prolonged local action of the medicinal agent is usually desired. The
glycerinated gelatin base softens and mixes with the physiologic fluids
more slowly than cocoa butter, resulting in a slower release.

Miscellaneous Bases Lipophilic and hydrophilic suppositories are the general combinations of
miscellaneous suppositories. Lipophilic suppositories are mostly made of
fat or wax, and they melt at body temperature. Polymer or glycerin-based
hydrophilic suppositories require fluids to dissolve.

4. Give examples for each type of suppository base.

Classifications Of Suppository Examples
Bases
Fatty or Oleaginous Bases Cocoa Butter and Cottonseed Oil

Water-Soluble and Water- Glycerinated Gelatin and Polyethylene Glycols

Miscible Bases
Miscellaneous Bases Alcohols and Toluene

5. Explain the importance of suppository base in relation to drug’s bioavailability.

- Suppositories provide pharmacokinetic benefits by increasing bioavailability to
absorbable tissue, bypassing first-pass metabolism, delivering high doses of drug, and
avoiding gastric mucosa irritation. Reduced first-pass metabolism, both topical and
systemic effect, accommodates patients who have difficulty swallowing pills, and
increased drug bioavailability are the primary advantages of suppositories over other
dosage forms.
Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems and Medical Devices 2
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

6. What are the packaging and labeling requirements for suppositories?

- For the primary packaging of suppositories, the automated process includes five distinct
stages. The stages involved are forming, dosing, cooling, sealing, and finishing. These
stages are completed at up to 30,000 suppositories per hour in a continuous process.
Glycerin and glycerinated gelatin suppositories are packaged in tightly sealed glass
containers to prevent moisture content changes. Suppositories made with cocoa butter
are usually individually wrapped or otherwise separated in compartmented boxes to
avoid contact and adhesion. Individually wrapped light sensitive drug suppositories are
made of an opaque material, such as metallic foil. The majority of commercial
suppositories come in foil or plastic packaging. Some come in a continuous strip with
perforations that are separated by tearing. Supplied in slide boxes or plastic boxes,
suppositories are also commonly packaged.

7. What is the proper storage for suppositories?

- To avoid melting, keep the suppositories in a cool place. If the medication label
specifies, store them in the refrigerator.

8. Describe vaginal inserts and medication sticks.

- Vaginal inserts are uncoated, bullet-shaped, or ovoid tablets that are inserted into the
vagina for local effects. They're compressed and shaped to fit snugly inside the plastic
inserter devices that come with the product.
- Medication sticks are a convenient way to deliver topical medications. Medication sticks
are cylindrical in shape and weigh between 5 and 25 grams. They're usually packaged
in an applicator tube for topical application, and the applicator can be adjusted to keep
exposing new, fresh sticks from inside the tube. Sticks are commonly used for
hydration/emollient, antibacterial, sunscreen, antipruritic, and other local effects.

Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems and Medical Devices 3

 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

Ansel’s Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms pages 364-390

Note: Use this same template for your answers to the questions.

Images:

RECTAL SUPPOSITORY

Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems and Medical Devices 4

 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT

VAGINAL PESSARY/OVULE

URETHRAL SUPPOSITORY

Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems and Medical Devices 5