Powders and

granules

Powders
the word powder describes a dosage
form that is in a solid physical state .
the formulation might contain only the
active drug or may be composed of a
mixture of the active drug and another
ingredients .

powders have unique advantages :

1. it contains different amount of active drug .
2. can be easily administered to infants and to
children who cannot swallow tablets and
capsules.
3. it has rapid onset action because
disintegration is not required.
4. can be administered to many body cavities.
5. it is more stable since its in a solid dosage
form.
6. can be made into many dosage formulations.

Powders also have many

disadvantages:
1. powder consume time to be prepared and
packed .
2. they are bulky.
3. it may spill as its opened .
4. suspensions can be a good alternative for
tablets or capsules when they are not
suitable.
5. bad taste cannot be covered.
6. It is not the suitable form of dispensing
substances.

Classification of Powders :
1. Bulk Powders for internal use.
2. Bulk Powders for external use.
3. Divided (single dose) powders.
. Bulk powders for internal use : when a large amount of light
drug substances are prescribed.
. Bulk powders for external use it includes insufflations and
dusting powders.

Drug example of powders

VIDEX

(didanosine, USP)
VIDEX is a brand name for didanosine, USP, a
synthetic purine nucleoside analogue active against
HIV-1.
Didanosine is a white crystalline powder with the
molecular formula C10H12N4O3 and a molecular
weight of 236.2. The aqueous solubility of didanosine
at 25 C and pH of approximately 6 is 27.3 mg/mL.
Didanosine is unstable in acidic solutions. For
example, at pH less than 3 and 37 C, 10% of
didanosine decomposes to hypoxanthine in less than
2 minutes.

 Side effects: hives , difficulty breathing,

swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Before taking didanosine, tell your doctor
or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if
you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which
can cause allergic reaction.

Granules
granules are smaller particles of
powder that are usually randomly
shaped, but may be shaped
spherically.

Differences between granules and

powders are:

The granules are smaller particles than

powders and spherically shape, which
makes the separation between them
harder than it is in the powder particles.
Giving the smaller size of the granules,
better filling of dies and volumetric
measuring occurs when using granules
instead of powders.
Better compressibility than powder.
And has higher porosity.

Methods of making granules:

Wet granulation.
Dry granulation.

Wet granulation:
steps:
I. Forming a paste by wetting the powder with a liquid or a
solution. Here, the liquid used must solve the powder within a
limit. Because, dissolving the powder completely will yield a
solution or a suspension instead of a paste.
The recommended solvents for granulation are water, ethanol,
and isopropanol.
II. the formation of granules starting from the paste. Several
granulators are available:
Rotative granulator.
Oscillating granulator.
High speed mixer granulator.
All will be studied in the industrial pharmacy

The type of the solvent, the granulator used, and

the powder nature determines the quality of the
granules.

III. The third step is the drying process; here we

might have some difficulties if the solvent used is
water.

IV. The last step is the classification of the granules.

The dimensions of the granules determine its type.
1. Coarse granules, this type of granules must be
milled.
2. Fine granules, in which will be re-granulated
again.

Advantages of granules:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Densification.
Increase in compressibility.
Improve flow properties.
Make hydrophobic substances more
hydrophilic.
5. Prevention from separation of the powder
mix.
.

Granules disadvantages :
Too many steps to accomplish granulation,
which makes it more complex and harder
to achieve.
High cost, and the need of time and space.
The loss of some of the material during the
process.

Drug example of granules

Biaxin:
This is a drug that is in granules form in suspension. The
API in it is clarithromycin. Its used to treat bacterial
infections specially pneumonia, bronchitis, and
infections in ears.
The side effects of this drug are:
Cough ,Fever or chills, Hoarseness, Lower back and side
pain ,Difficult or painful urination, Nausea ,Stomach pain
, Gas, Heartburn.

Its stored in a dark place in room temperature, and is

used within 14 days of making the suspension.

References:
http://
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/For
msSubmissionRequirements/ElectronicSubmissions/D
ataStandardsManualmonographs/ucm071666.htm
http://pharmlabs.unc.edu/labs/powders/properties.htm
http://www.rxlist.com/videx-drug.htm
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/biaxin-suspension.html
http://
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a692005.
html
Ansels pharmaceutics book.