Formulation of Pharmaceutical Suspensions

Structured Vehicle

For the need of a stable suspension, the term 'Structured vehicle' is most important for
formulation view and stability criteria. The main disadvantage of suspension dosage form that
limits its use in the routine practice is its stability during storage for a long time. To overcome
.this problem or to reduce it to some extent, the term 'Structured vehicle has got importance
The structured vehicle is the vehicle in which viscosity of the preparation under the static
condition of very low shear on storage approaches infinity. The vehicle behaves like a 'false
.body', which is able to maintain the particles suspended which is more or less stable
The 'Structured vehicle' concept is applicable only to deflocculated suspensions, where hard
solid cake forms due to settling of solid particles and they must be redispersed easily and
uniformly at the time of administration. The Structured Vehicle concept is not applicable to
,flocculated suspension because settled floccules get easily redispersed on shaking. Generally
concept of Structured vehicle is not useful for Parenteral suspension because they may create
.problem in syringeability due to high viscosity
 Structured vehicle
in addition, Structured vehicle should posses some degree of Thixotropic behaviour viz., the
property of GEL-SOL-GEL transformation. Because during storage it should be remained in
the form of GEL to overcome the shear stress and to prevent or reduce the formation of hard cake at the
.bottom which to some extent is beneficial for pourability and uniform dose at the time of administration

Preparation of Structured Vehicle

Structured vehicles are prepared with the help of Hydrocolloids. In a particular medium, they
.first hydrolyzed and swell to great degree and increase viscosity at the lower concentration
.In addition, it can act as a 'Protective colloid' and stabilize charge
:Density of structured vehicle also can be increased by
Polyvinylpyrrolidone •
Polyethylene glycols •
Glycerin •