Suspension’s

&
Emulsion’s
 Suspension
• A pharmaceutical suspension is a
coarse dispersion of insoluble solid
particles in a liquid medium.
• The particle diameter in a suspension
is usually greater than 0.5 µm.
 Classification Of Suspension
 Based On General Classes
 Based On Concentration Of Dispersed
Phase
 Based On Electro Kinetic Nature Of Solid
Particle
 Based On Particle Size
 Based On General Classes
 Oral suspension e.g. : Paracetamol suspension
 Externally applied suspension/ Topical suspensions
e.g. : Calamine Lotion
 Parenteral suspension/ injectable suspensions
e.g. : Procaine Penicillin G
 Rectal suspensions e.g. : Mesalmine rectal sus
 Otic suspensions e.g. : Ciprodex
 Ophthalmic suspensions e.g. : Nepanac
 Pulmonary suspensions/ Aerosols e.g. : Rolastym
Classification on concentration of
dispersed phase

Dilute suspension

Dilute suspension contain 2 – 10% w/v solid.

Examples include cortisone acetate, prednisolone acetate.

Concentrated suspension

A suspension is said to be concentrated if it contains 10-50 % w/v solid.

  A good example of such suspension is zinc oxide suspension. Highly concentrated
suspensions are termed as slurries.
 Classification based on electro kinetic
nature of solid particles
Flocculated suspension
Flocculated suspension is a suspension in which the supernatant quickly
becomes clear, because of the formation of large flocs that settle rapidly.
Flocculated suspensions form loose sediments which are easily redispersible,
but because the sedimentation rate is fast and there may be danger of
inaccurate dose being administered; also, the product will look inelegant.
Deflocculated suspension
A deflocculated suspension is a suspension in which the dispersed particles
remain as discrete separated units. The supernatant remains cloudy for an
appreciable time after shaking, due to the very slow settling rate of the smallest
particles in the product. This prevents the entrapment of liquid within the
sediment, which thus becomes compacted and can be very difficult to
redisperse.
Classification On Basis Of Size

Based on the particle size

(diameter) of the dispersed
phase, suspensions can be
classified as

Coarse suspension Colloidal dispersion Nanosuspension

(>1 μm) (< 1 μm) (10–100 nm)
Advantages:

 Suspension can improve chemical stability of certain drug.

 E.g. Procaine penicillin G.

 Drug in suspension exhibits higher rate of bioavailability

than other dosage forms.

Order of bioavailability :

 Solution > Suspension > Capsule > Compressed Tablet

Disadvantage:
 Physical stability , sedimentation and compaction can causes

problems.

 It is bulky and sufficient care must be taken during handling and

transport.

 It is difficult to formulate.

 Uniform and accurate dose can not be achieved unless suspension

are packed in unit dosage form.

 Properties Of Suspension
 A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture.
 The size of solute particles in a suspension is quite large. It is larger than 100 mm in
diameter.
 The particles of a suspension can be seen easily.
 The particles of a suspension do not pass through a filter paper. So a suspension can
be separated by filtration.
 The suspension is unstable. The particles of a suspension settle down after some time.
 A suspension scatters a beam of light passing through it because of its large particle
size.
 Sedimentation
Sedimentation is the process of allowing particles in
suspension in water to settle out of the suspension under
the effect of gravity. The particles that settle out from the
suspension become sediment, and in water treatment is
known as sludge.
It is calculated by Stock’s Equation
 Flocculated & Deflocculated Suspension
Flocculated Suspension
 In this system solids aggregate
by forming chemical bridges
 Un slightly sediment and
supernatant layer is formed
 Particles exhibit attractive
forces
 They settle as floces
Deflocculated Suspension
 In this system solids as present as
individual particles they also exhibit
aggregation but comparatively low
than flocculated
 Pleasant appearance because of
uniform dispersion of particles
 Particles exhibit repulsive forces]
 Particles settle independently
 Flocculated & Deflocculated Suspension
Flocculated Suspension Deflocculated Suspension
 Rate is high as flocs are
collection of smaller particle
 Particle from loose aggregates.
 Bioavailability is relatively low.
INGREDIENTS FOR FORMULATION OF
SUSPENSIONS
 Formulation Of Suspension

 The formulation of suspension depends on whether the suspension is

flocculated or deflocculated.
 Three approaches are commonly involved

1. Use of structured vehicle

2. Use of controlled flocculation
3. Combination of both of the methods
 PREPARATION OF
SUSPENSIONS
Following consideration are important for
manufacturing pharmacist:
• Selection of right material that go into
the manufacture
• The step involved and their sequence
in the manufacture
• Preservation and storage of the product
• Pharmaceutical suspensions for
oral use are generally packed m
wide mouth container having
adequate space above the liquid to
ensure proper mixing.
• Parenteral suspensions are packed
in either glass ampoules or vials.
 Emulsion
An emulsion is a thermodynamically
unstable system consisting of at least
two immiscible liquid phases one of
which is dispersed as globules in the
other liquid phase stabilized by a third
substance called emulsifying agent.
The Droplet phase is called the
dispersed phase or internal phase and
the liquid in which droplets are
dispersed is called the external
(continuous phase)
 Types of Emulsion
 Simple emulsion ( Macro emulsion)
oil – in – water (O/W)
Water- in – oil (W/O)

 Multiple emulsions
oil-in-water-in-oil(O/W/O)
water – in-oil-in-water (W/O/W)

 Micro emulsions
These are clear transparent solutions particle size ranges from 10 – 200 nm.
Water in oil type (W/O):
An Emulsion is referred as water in oil, if the dispersed phase is water
and the continuous phase is oil
Ex: Butter , Salad dressings
Oil in water type (O/W):
An emulsion is referred to as oil in water , if the dispersed phase is oil
and the continuous phase is aqueous base.
Ex: Turpentine liniment and Vanishing cream
 Selection of an emulsifying agent
• It depends on the use to which an emulsion is required.
• Selection based on HLB for an emulsion which
First method:
• To produce emulsions of o/w type emulsifiers in the FILB value range of 8-18 are tried
and for w/o type HLB 3-16 are tried.
Second method :
• Griffin evolved a series of required material to be emulsified .

FORMULA FOR CALCULATION OF HLB VALUE:

• The amount of emulsifier to be added for an emulsion can be calculated with HLB
values of emulsifiers using the following formula
 Preparation Of Emulsion
• Most common methods for preparation
of emulsion are
1. Wet gum method - English method
2. Dry method – Continental method
3. Bottle method – Forbes Bottle
method
Wet Gum Method
Ingredient oil : water : gum
Ratio : 4 : 2 : 1
Preparation:
1. Two parts of water and one parts of acacia mixture is to be
triturated with a mortar and pestle until a smooth mucilage is
formed
2. Oil is to be added slowly with continuous trituration until a
smooth cream of primary emulsion is formed.
3. The mixture should be again triturated for another 5 mintues
and then add water to make up the volume with continuous
triturating .
Dry Gum Method

Ingredient oil : water : gum

Ratio : 4 : 2 : 1
Preparation:
1.The oil is mixed in acacia with mortar and pestle until acacia powder is
distributed uniformly.
2. Purified water is to be added and rapidly trituration until to form the primary
emulsion
3. Add other additives and remaining quantity of water is added with continuous
trituration to finish the product.
Bottle Method
Ingredient oil : water : gum
Ratio : 4 : 4 : 2
Preparation:
1. The oil is mixed in acacia by shaking
the bottle uniformly.
2. Add measured quantity of water and
shake until uniform emulsion is formed
 Emulsion Stability (Instability - Types)

Physical Instability
1. Flocculation
2. Creaming or
sedimentation
3. Coalescence Breaking
4. Phase inversion
5. Coalescence
 Emulsion stability ( Instability) - Types

Flocculation :
 Re-dispersible association of particle within an emulsion to form large aggregates.

 Precursor to the irreversible coalescence.

 Differs from coalescence mainly in that interfacial film and individual droplets
remain intact.
 Influenced by the charges on the surface of the emulsified globules
Creaming :
• Creaming is either upward movement or downward movement
of dispersed droplets of emulsion relative to the continuous
phase ( due to the density difference between two phases).
• Rate of creaming can be calculated using Stoke's law

Aggregation .
• Dispersed particles come together but do not fuse.

Coalescence :
• is the process by which emulsified particles merge with each to form
large particles.

Breaking :
• is the destroying of the film surrounding the particles.
• The major factor to prevent coalescence is increasing the mechanical
strength of the interfacial film.
Phase inversion:
 An emulsion is said to invert when it changes from
an o/w to w/o or vice versa.

It occurs due to :
 Addition of electrolyte

 Addition of CaC12 into o/w emulsion by sodium

soaps can be inverted to w/o.
 Physical stability of
preservative emulsion

 Microbial contamination may occur due to:

 Usage of impure raw materials

 Poor sanitation conditions

 Invasion by an opportunistic microorganisms.

 Contamination by the consumer during use of the product..

 Precautions to prevent microbial growth

 Use of uncontaminated raw materials

 Flocculation
Flocculation is when the emulsion droplets aggregate and thereby form larger
units.
 Creaming:
Creaming occurs when the emulsion separates due to a density difference
where the lighter oil droplets rise to the surface.
 Coalescence:
Coalescence is when smaller droplets merge together forming a larger droplet.
 Breaking:
Breaking is the destroying of the film surrounding particles.
 Phase Inversion:
An emulsion is said to invert when it changes from an o/w to
w/o or vice versa.
 Droplets can be stabilized :
– By reducing interfacial tension
– By preventing the coalescence of droplets
 Theory Of Emulsification
We have many theories to explain how
emulsifying agents promote
emulsification.
1. Surface tension theory.
2. Monomolecular adsorption theory
3. Multimolecular adsorption theory
 Surface tension theory
• According to theory, emulsification
takes place by reduction of interfacial
tension between two phases. 
 Monomolecular adsorption theory

• Surfactants – Both polar and non polar parts.

• Surfactants adsorb at the oil- water interface
to form monomolecular films.
• Film prevent coalscence by acting as barrier.
Multimolecular adsorption theory

• According to this theory, Hydrophilic polymers (like Acacia,

Gelatin) forms a rigid and strong multi-molecular layer
around globules there by preventing coalescence of oil
globules.
– Make medium viscous
(viscosity enhancer)
– Not reduce interfacial
tension
1 Advantages and disadvantages
of suspension

Advantages and disadvantages

2 of emulsion

3 Applications of suspension

4 Applications of emulsion
Difference between suspension
5 and emulsion
 Advantages and disadvantages
of suspension
There are many advantages of pharmaceutical suspension
in our daily life but with it, there are some disadvantages
as well
 Suspension
Pros
• Improve chemical stability of drugs
 Procaine Penicillin G
• High rate of bioavailability
 Solution > suspension > capsule >
compressed tablet > coated tablets
• Mask the taste of drug
 Chloramphenicol
• Duration and onset of action can be
controlled
 Protamine Zinc-Insulin suspension
Cons
• Physical stability, sedimentation
and compaction can cause
problems
• Difficult to formulate
• Uniform and accurate dose may
not be achieved
• It is bulky. Sufficient care must
be taken during handling and
transport
Advantages and disadvantages
of emulsion
There are many advantages of pharmaceutical emulsion in
our daily life but with it, there are some disadvantages as
well
 Emulsion
Pros
• Mask the unpleasant taste of oil/drug
• Better and faster absorption (improved
bioavailability)
• Less irritation to the skin
• Sustained release medication (IM INJ)
• Nutritional supplement
• External use preparation
 Cream, lotion, etc
• Inert and chemically non-reactive
Cons
• Emulsions are thermodynamically
unstable and have short shelf life
• Improper formulation of emulsion
leads to creaming and cracking
of emulsion
• Improper selection of emulsifying
agent leads to phase inversion
• Difficult to manufacture,
handling and storage
Applications of
suspension
 Applicable for drug which is insoluble or poorly soluble
E.g. prednisolone suspension
To prevent degradation of drug or to improve stability
Applications of the drug E.g. oxy tetracycline suspension
of suspension
To mask the taste of unpleasant drug

X ray contrast agent are also formulated as suspension

e.g. barium sulphate for examination of alimentary tract
Applications of
emulsion
 Oral, rectal, and topical administrations of oils and oil-
soluble drugs
The unpleasant taste or odor can be masked by
emulsification
Applications The absorption and penetration of medicament are
of emulsion enhanced by emulsification
Intramuscular injections of water soluble drugs or
vaccine to provide slow release
The use of sterile stable i.v emulsions containing fats,
carbs and vitamins as a potential nutrition
Difference between
suspension and
emulsion
 Emulsion
1. It is a heterogeneous mixture of
two immiscible liquids
2. Dispersed particle do not settle
on standing
3. Dispersed particle size is 1 to
1000 nm
4. Particles are not visible through
the naked eye
5. It cannot be separated by
filtration
6. Dispersed in liquid, solid, gas
7. Emulsifying agent is required
8. Freezing leads to cracking
Suspension
1. It is a heterogeneous mixture
2. Dispersed particle settle on
standing
3. Dispersed particle size is more
than 1000 nm
4. Particles are visible through the
Difference naked eye
5. It can be separated by filtration
6. Dispersed in liquid
7. Suspending agent is required
8. Freezing leads to aggregation
Thank you
Reference