SuspensionExamples

Examples of Suspension Preparations

Example 1 – Kaolin and Morphine Mixture BP

Master Formula Scaled Formula – 150ml

Light Kaolin 2g 30g

Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg 7.5g

Chloroform and morphine tincture 0.4ml 6ml

Water to 10ml to 150ml

Actions and Uses: As an adjunct to fluid replacement in treatment of acute diarrhea

Formulation Notes: Light Kaolin is a diffusible solid, therefore no suspending agent is required

Method of Preparation: Weigh the light kaolin and place in the mortar. Dissolve the sodium bicarbonate in about 100ml of water. Gradually add this to the light kaolin in the mortar with missing to disperse the solid. Add the chloroform and morphine tincture. Was the mixture into a tared, amber medicine bottle, and make up to the volume with water. Seal with a child-resistant closure. Polish and label the bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine.

Shelf-life and storage: Store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared (unless the kaolin has been sterilized), therefore a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is applicable.

Advice and labeling: ‘Shake well before use’. The usual dose is 10ml every 4 hours in water. The importance of rehydration therapy should be stressed to the patient.

Example 2 – Chalk Mixture, Paediatric BP. Mitte 100ml

Master Formula Scaled Formula – 100ml

Chalk 100mg 2g

Tragacanth 10mg 200mg

Syrup 0.5ml 10ml

Concentrated cinnamon water 0.02ml 0.4ml

Double strength chloroform water 2.5ml 50ml

Water to 5ml to 100ml

Actions and Uses: As an antidiarrhoeal mixture for children, in addition to fluid replacement

Formulation notes: Chalk is practically insoluble in water and is an undiffusable solid which requires a suspending agent. Tragacanth powder is used in this formulation. The concentrated cinnamon water is a flavoring agent and the syrup increase the viscosity as well as acting as a sweetener. Chloroform water is the preservative.

Method of preparation: The chalk and tracaganth should be weighed and lightly mixed in a morter and pestle. Add the syrup and mix to make a paste. The double strength chloroform water should be gradually added, with mixing, followed by the concentrated cinnamon water. The mixture should be rinsed into a previously tared 100ml amber medicine bottle and made up to the volume with water. Shake the suspension well and seal with a child resistant closure. Polish and label the bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine

Shelf life and storage: store in a cool, dry place. It is freshly prepared, therefore a shelf life of 1 week is applicable.

Advice and labeling: ‘Shake well before use’. Advice on the importance of fluid replacement using oral rehydration sachets should be given if necessary.

Example 3 – Sipronolactone suspension 15mg/5ml. Sig.5ml. t.d.s. Mitte 100ml. For a 4-year-old child.

Master Formula Scaled Formula – 100ml

Sipronolactone q.s. (sufficient quantity) 300mg

Compound orange spirit 0.2% 0.2ml

Cologel 20% 20ml

Water to 100% to 100ml

Actions and Uses: A potassium-sparing diuretic usedin oedema of heart failure and nephrotic syndrome

Formulation Notes: Spironolactone is practically insoluble in water. Cologel (methylcellulose) acts as the suspending agent. Compound orange spirit is a flavoring agent.

Method of preparation: Tablets may be used and sufficiently crushed in a mortar and pestle to give 300mg spironolactone (e.g. 6X50mg tablets). Alternatively, weigh the powder and transfer to a mortar and pestle. Add to cologel and mix to a past. Gradually add some of the water. Add the compound orange spirit. Rinse the suspension into a tared, amber medicine bottle and make up to volume with water. Polish and label the bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine.

Shelf life and storage: It is recently prepared with a shelf life of 4 weeks when stored in a refrigerator. Sipronolactone should be protected from light.

Advice and labeling: ‘Shake well before use’ and ‘give one 5ml spoonful three times a day’. Reinforce the storage conditions.

Example 4 – Menthol and Eucalyptus inhalation BP 1980 Mitte 100ml

Master Formula

Menthol 2g

Eucalytpus oil 10ml

Light magnesium carbonate 7g

Water to 100ml

Actions and Uses: For the relief of nasal congestion

Formulation notes: Light magnesium carbonate has a large surface area and is used to adsorb the volatile ingredients which helps to ensure a uniform dispersion. Menthol is freely soluble in fixed and volatile oils, so will dissolve in the eucalyptus oil.

Method of Preparation: Grind the menthol to a fine powder in a glass mortar and pestle and add the eucaplytus oil, which will dissolve in the menthol. Gradually add the light magnesium carbonate to the mortar and mix well. Add the water gradually to produce a pourable suspension; this may take a while to achieve. Rinse into a tared, amber ribbed bottle and make up to volume. Seal with a child-resistant closure.

Shelf life and storage: store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared, therefore a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is applicable.

Advice and labeling: ‘Shake well before use’ and ‘Not to be taken’. The patient should be told to add 1 teaspoonful to 1 pint of hot, not boiling, water. A towel should be placed over the head and bowl and the vapor inhaled for 5-10 minutes. Patients should be aware of the potential danger of scalding to themselves and others, particularly small children.

Notes: Suspensions are useful formulations for inhalations. The volatile components are adsorbed onto the surface of a diffusible solid to ensure uniform dispersion throughout the liquid. When hot water is added, the oils vaporize.

Example 5 – 200ml Calamine Lotion BP

Master Formula Scaled Formula – 200ml

Calamine 15g 30g

Zinc Oxide 5g 10g

Bentonite 3g 6g

Sodium Citrate 500mg 1g

Liquified Phenol 0.50ml 1ml

Glycerol 5ml 10ml

Water to 100ml to 200ml

Actions and Uses: As a cooling lotion for sunburn or skin irritation and pruritis

Formulation Notes: Calamine is a colored zinc carbonate and is practically insoluble in water, as is zinc oxide. Both are indiffusible solids. Sodium citrate is added to control the flocculation of calamine. Bentonite is a thickening agent, glycerol will thicken the product and will help powder adherence to the skin. Liquified phenol acts as a preservative and antiseptic.

Method of preparation: The dry powders should be weighed and mixed in a mortar so that the bentonite is well distributed. Add the glycerol to the powders and mix. The sodium citrate is dissolved in about 140ml of water, and gradually added to the mixture in the mortar, so that a smooth paste is produced. Add the liquefied phenol, taking care not to splash as it is caustic. Transfer the mixture to a tared, amber ribbed glass bottle, adding washings from the mortar, and make up to volume. Seal with a child resistant closure.

Shelf life and Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared, therefore a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is applicable.

Advice and Labeling: ‘For external use only’, ‘Shake well before use’, and ‘Do not apply to broken skin’. The lotion should be applied to the affected areas when required and allowed to dry.