Understanding Some Pharmaceutical Liquid Dosage Form

Collodions

Collodions are liquid preparations containing pyroxylin in a mixture of ethyl ether and ethanol. A soft brush is used to apply the preparation to the skin. When the solvent evaporates it leaves a film of pyroxylin on the surface.

The official preparations include:

1. Collodion

2. Flexible Collodion

3. Salicylic Acid Collodion

Use Of Collodion

1. Many wart-remover preparations consist of acetic acid and salicylic acid in an acetone collodion base used in the treatment of warts by keratolysis

2. Nitrocellulose (pyroxylin) solution is also used in liquid bandage products chiefly for cementing dressings and sealing wounds

3. EEG electrodes are commonly attached to the patient's scalp with rigid collodion for long-term treatment

Liquid dosage form

Draught

A draught is an older term used to describe liquid oral preparations which contain only one or two large doses. The volume of the formulation is usually larger than that generally utilised in traditional mixture formulations and each dose is supplied in separate bottles. Each draught was usually sup- plied in a 50 mL unit dose container.

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Drop (Pediatric Drop)

Drops are liquid preparations of potent drugs usually in solution that are intended to be administered in small volumes with the aid of a suitable measuring device (calibrated dropper) to pediatric patients. It can also be any liquid medication administered using a dropper. This includes pediatric drops, eye drops, ear drops, etc.

Parenteral

Parenteral preparations are defined as solutions, suspensions, emulsions for injection or infusion, powders for injection or infusion, gels for injection and implants. They are administered at various sites and to varying depths using a needle (usually a hypodermic needle) and a syringe. They are sterile preparations intended to be administered directly into the systemic circulation in humans or animals. Parenteral administration of drugs can be performed by injection (small volumes), infusion (large volumes), or implant. The most important and most frequently used parenteral routes are intravenous route (IV), intramuscular route (IM), and subcutaneous route (SC).

Gargle

Gargles are aqueous hydrochloric solutions used to prevent or treat throat infections. They are used on the posterior portion of the mouth cavity. Gargles should be dispensed in clear fluted glass bottles closed with a plastic screw cap. Coloured bottles are required to be used if the gargle needs protection from light. Gargle containers should be labelled 'For external use only." The direction for proper dilution should be stated on the label.

Contains phenol, thymol and potassium chlorate.

Mouthwash

Mouthwashes are aqueous solutions with a pleasant taste and odour used to clean and deodorise the buccal cavity (front portion of the mouth). Contain antibacterial agents, glycerol, and sweetening agent, flavoring agent, coloring agent and astringent.

Mouthwashes are dispensed in white fluted bottles. Mouthwash label should clearly indicate the proper directions for diluting before use. Also apply the secondary label, "For external use only." Example of mouthwash are;

1. Antiseptic such as Phenolic Mouthwash

2. Analgesic such as Lidocaine Hydrochloride

3. Bactericidal such as Fluoride Mouthwash

4. Anticavity such as Fluoride Rinse

Types Of Mouthwash

1. Fluoride mouthwashes contain sodium fluoride which helps to strengthen the teeth as well as adding extra protection against tooth decay.

2. Cosmetic mouthwashes do not offer the same protection as other types and are used more as a means of disguising bad breath (halitosis).

3. Antiseptic mouthwashes contain chlorhexidine gluconate - a chemical which stops the growth of bacteria and is suitable for people with a mouth infection.

4. Natural mouthwashes are alcohol-free (and contain no fluoride) and work in much the same way as conventionalmouthwashes.They can also treat a mouth infection or injury.

5. Total care mouthwashes contain antibacterial ingredients which help to reduce the buildup of plaque and prevent gum disease.

Advantages Of Mouthwash

1. Can boost your oral health

2. May prevent plaque from building up

3. Rinses with fluoride can help prevent cavities

4. Fluoride protects against tooth decay(cavities)

5. Prevents dry mouth

Disadvantages Of Mouthwash

Some mouth rinses contain high levels of alcohol—ranging from 18 to 26 percent. This may produce a burning sensation in the cheeks, teeth, and gums.

Throat Paint

Solutions that contain multiple active ingredients are used to treat mucosa throat or mouth. These are vicious because the high content of glycerin, which is thick in nature, sticks to the surface, affects the site, and prolongs the action. Wide mouthed, fluted, light resistant, screw-capped, glass-jar, ambered colored bottle is used to package it. A wax card liner is used for screw caps (because iodine attacks other materials). Example are;

1. Compound iodine Paint (Mandl's Paint) - Used for pharyngitis

2. Crystal Violet Paint - Used for Thrush

3. Phenol Glycerin - Used for Ulcerative Stomatitis as it has analgesic effects

4. Tannic Acid Glycerin - helps in the sore throat as it has astringent actions

Eye Drops

Eye drops or eyedrops are saline-containing drops used as an ocular route to administer. Depending on the condition being treated, they may contain steroids, antihistamines, sympathomimetics, beta receptor blockers, parasympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, prostaglandins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antifungals, or topical anesthetics. Eye drops sometimes do not have medications in them and are only lubricating and tear-replacing solutions.

Eye Lotion

These are the aqueous solutions used for washing the eyes. The eye lotions are supplied in concentrated form and are required to be diluted with warm water immediately before use. Eye lotions should be isotonic and free from foreign particles to avoid irritation to the eye. They are required to be prepared afresh and should not be stored for more than two days as the lotion may get contaminated with microorganism. Two example of eye lotions are given below;

Sodium Chloride Eye Lotion

1. Sodium chloride-9g

2. Purified water to produce -1000ml.

Sodium Bicarbonate Eye Lotion

1. Sodium bicarbonate-35g

2. Purified water to produce-1000ml

Ear Drops

Ear drops are a form of medicine used to help treat or prevent ear infections, especially infections of the outer ear and ear canal (otitis externa). It is also used to help remove ear wax. It is used for short-term treatment and can be purchased over-the-counter or with a prescription.

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Common Types Of Ear Drops

1. Acid-based detergents to break up ear wax

2. Alcohol and acetic acid solutions to prevent swimmer's ears

3. Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections

4. Anesthetics to help numb ear pain

Nasal Spray

Nasal sprays are used to deliver medications locally in the nasal cavities or systemically. They are used locally for conditions such as nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis. In some situations, the nasal delivery route is preferred for systemic therapy because it provides an agreeable alternative to injection or pills. Substances can be assimilated extremely quickly and directly through the nose. Many pharmaceutical drugs exist as nasal sprays for systemic administration (e.g. sedative-analgesics, treatments for migraine, osteoporosis and nausea). Other applications include hormone replacement therapy, treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Nasal sprays are seen as a more efficient way of transporting drugs with potential use in crossing the blood–brain barrier.

Douche

Douches are aqueous solution directed against a part or into a body cavity for cleansing and antiseptic agent.. A douche can use a solution, such as vinegar and water, rather than simple water, and it can be directed at any body cavity or part. Medicated douche is used to provide temporary relief from minor vaginal irritation, soreness, or itching.

These are referred to as irrigation possessing antiseptic, astringent, or soothing action and are prepared immediately before use by dissolving the medicament in the required amount of water.

Douches are usually introduced to the appropriate body cavity by the use of a bulb syringe. They are dispensed in powdered form with directions for dissolving in a specified quantity of warm water (Dobell's Solution Tablets).

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Tablets or powders must be free from insoluble material to produce a clear solution. Lubricants or diluents used in the tablet must be readily soluble in water, for example boric acid as lubricant; sodium chlorides as diluent.

Kinds Of Douche

1. Eye douche: It is used to remove foreign particles and discharges from the eyes and is directly given at an oblique angle and allowed to run from the inner to the outer corner of the eye.

2. Pharyngeal douche: It is used to prepare the interior of the throat for an operation and to cleanse it in suppurative conditions.

3. Nasal douche

4. Vaginal douche

5. Urethral douche

Enemas

Enemas are rectal injections used to evacuate the bowel, influence the general system by absorption, or to affect locally the seat of disease. a water-based solution with a small concentration of stool softener, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar is used to stimulate the movement of the large intestine. A cleansing enema should stimulate the bowels to quickly expel both the solution and any impacted fecal matter.

They possess anthelmintic, nutritive, sedative, or stimulation properties, or may contain radiopaque substance for roentgenographic examination of the lower bowel. Enemas are usually given at body temperature in quantities of 1 or 2 pints injected slowly with a syringe. They should be used in larger quantities than 6 fluid ounces for an adult if enema is intended to be retained in the intestine.

Starch enemas may be used either by itself or as a vehicle for other forms of medication. Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Monohydrogen Phosphate and Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate are used as enemas either alone or in combination with irritants as soap.