Powders

A Pharmaceutical powder is a mixture of finely divided •

drugs or chemicals in a dry form meant for internal or
.external use

: Advantages of powders •
.flexibility of compounding-1 •
Good chemical stability-2 •
Rapid dispersion of ingredients (because of small-3 •
particle size
:Disadvantage of powders

Time-consuming preparation-1

Inaccuracy of dose( size of measuring-2

spoon, density of powder, humidity, degree
.of settling , fluffiness

Unsuitability for many unpleasant tasting,-3

hygroscopic and deliquescent drugs
 Powders As a Dosage Form
Bulk and Divided
A – Bulk Powders
Definition: Pharmaceutical powders
dispensed as a whole in one
container
Types: 1- Oral powders:
Examples: Antacid powder
Oral antibiotic powder
Bulk powders for external use -2
:Examples •
Douche powders - •
Dentifrice powders - •
Triturates - •
Insufflations - •
Dusting powders - •
 B- Divided powders
Definition: Pharmaceutical powders
dispensed as divided doses
:Examples
Packets -
Cachets -
Powders for injection -
 Bulk Powders
may be classified as oral powders, dentifrices, douche
powders, dusting powders, insufflations and
.triturations

Oral Powders - These generally are supplied as finely

divided powders or effervescent granules. The finely
divided powders are intended to be suspended or
dissolved in water or mixed with soft foods, e.g.,
.applesauce, prior to administration

Antacids and laxative powders frequently are

administered in this form
 Effervescent granules
Contain sodium bicarbonate and either citric acid, tartaric *
acid or sodium biphosphate in addition to the active
.ingredients

On solution in water, carbon dioxide is released as a result *

of the acid-base reaction. The effervescence from the
release of the carbon dioxide serves to mask the taste of
.salty or bitter medications

The completed product must be dispensed in tightly closed *

.glass containers to protect it against the humidity of the air
 Effervescent powders
Other preparative techniques have been reported for -
effervescent powders such as a fluidized-bed procedure in
which the powders are blended and then suspended in a
stream of air in a Wurster chamber. Water is sprayed into the
chamber resulting in a slight reaction and an expansion of the
.particles to form granules ranging in size from 10- to 30-mesh

•
 Dentifrices

These may be prepared in the form of a bulk •

powder, generally containing a soap or
detergent, mild abrasive and an
.anticariogenic agent
 Douche Powders
These products are completely soluble and are intended to •
be dissolved in water prior to use as antiseptics or
.cleansing agents for a body cavity

They most commonly are intended for vaginal use, •

although they may be formulated for nasal, otic or
ophthalmic use. Generally, since aromatic oils are included
.in these powders

Dispensing in wide-mouth glass jars serves to protect •

against loss of volatile materials and permits easy
access by the patient
 Dusting Powders
Dusting powders are applied to various •
parts of the body as lubricants,
protectives, absorbents, antiseptics,
antipruritics, anti bromhidrosis agents,
.astringents and antiperspirants
 Insufflations
These are finely divided powders -
introduced into body cavities such as the
ears, nose, throat, tooth sockets and
vagina. An insufflator (powder blower)
usually is employed to administer these
.products
 Insufflations
However, the difficulty in obtaining a •
uniform dose has restricted their general
.use
Specialized equipment has been •
developed for the administration of
micronized powders of relatively potent
drugs. The Norisodrine Sulfate Aero haler
.Cartridge (Abbott) is an example
 Divided Powders

Are dispensed in the form of

individual doses and generally are
dispensed in papers, properly folded
They also may be .)chartulae(
-dispensed in metal foil, small heat
sealed plastic bags or other
.containers
 Divided Powders

After weighing, comminuting and mixing -

the ingredients, the powders must be
divided accurately into the prescribed
number of doses. In order to achieve
accuracy consistent with the other steps in
the preparation, each dose should
be weighed individually and transferred to a
powder paper. Following completion of this
.step the powder papers are folded
Official powdered Drugs

A- Official powdered vegetable drugs

B- Official powdered drugs

Check the USP, BP and SFDA

 Mixing
Importance:
1. Ensure an even distribution of the active
component(s)
2. Ensure an even appearance of the DF
3. Ensure that the DF releases the drug at the correct
site and at the desired rate

Mechanisms of Mixing:
1.Diffusion:Movement of single particles
2.Convection:Movement of groups of particles
3.Shear :Sliding of particles in planes over each
other
 Mixing of powders
Large-Scale Mixing Equipment
The ideal mixer should
produce a complete blend rapidly to avoid -1
.product damage
It should be cleaned and discharged easily -2
be dust-tight -3
require low maintenance and low power 4
.consumption
 Mixers for Powders
Tumbling Mixers/Blenders
Barrel blender V-shape blender
 Tumbling Blenders
• Cube blender Double cone blender
Tumbling Blenders
 Factors affecting mixing efficiency by
tumbling mixers
1. Too high a rotation speed will cause the
material to be held on the mixer walls by
centrifugal force, and too low a speed will
generate insufficient bed expansion and little
shear mixing.
2. The addition of baffles or rotating bars will also
cause convective mixing, for example the
V‑mixer with agitator bar.
3. Presence of significant difference in particle
size, as segregation is likely to occur.
 Mixing of Powders

Extemporaneous Methods

Spatulation -1
Trituration -2
Levigation-3
 Small-Scale Mixing Equipment

Spatulation -1
The blending of powders with a spatula on a tile or
paper used sometimes for small quantities or when
.the mortar and pestle technique is undesirable

It is not suitable for large quantities of powders or for

powders containing one or more potent substance
because homogenous blending may
.not occur
 :Trituration -2

is used to comminute( reduce particle size) & to mix

.powders
.A porcelin preferred than glass morter-1
A glass morter is preferrable for chemicals that stain -2
a porcelin. When granular or crystalline materials
are to be incorporated in to powdered product ,these
materials are comminuted individually and then
.blended together in the morter
 Levigation -3
In this process
A- paste is first formed by the addition of a
.suitable non solvent to the solid material
B-Particle-size reduction then accomplished
by rubbing the paste in a mortar with a
pestle or on an ointment’ slab using a
.spatula