#1: Dosage Forms: Powders
- Generally, powder dosage forms confer greater stability compared to liquid dosage forms. Powdered forms of the drugs can be more rapidly acting
- Furthermore, powder dissolves more easily in bodily fluids due to smaller particle size.
- However, powdered preparations have to be finely prepared. A powder shall be created by grinding each ingredient into fine particles. The most common way to reduce particle size is to perform trituration. This is done by placing the chemical in a mortar and grinding it between the mortar and pestle throughout the process using a strong, downward press.
In conclusion, powders may be a good option as a dosage form but have to be prepared well!
#2: Ensuring Correct Weighing Techniques for Powders
- To ensure quality, you need to ensure that your equipment is appropriate and reliable. It is crucial to ensure right precautions are taken and there is adherence to standard operating procedures.
- Here are some tips in ensuring the correct weighing techniques for powders:
- Keep the balance calibrated: Keep the analytical balance at all times. Samples are always weighed against the standard reference weights. Thus, the lab always has to have a set of certified standard weights. The scales’ calibration must be validated and meet the standards set.
- Follow standard of procedures while weighing:
- Use a clean spatula of appropriate size while placing the sample. Weighing the sample quantity in volumetric flask may result in errors.
- Allow the readings to stabilize before taking them down.
#3: Taste-Masking of Pharmaceutical Compounded Preparations
- Taste-Masking is a crucial part of the compounding process. This is mostly done to mask the bitter or unpleasant taste of active pharmaceutical ingredients or excipients in a formulation. This will allow drugs to be more easily administered in special populations like pediatric or veterinary. It is common to use sweeteners, flavour enhancers to mask the taste.
- Here are some of the flavours which can be used to mask the unpleasant taste of your products:
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Fish
- Beef
- Chicken
- And more!