Powders

• Powders are dosage forms of medication which consist of dry-granulated or ground particles intended for internal or external application.
• The advantages of powders include flexibility, stability, rapid therapeutic effect, and ease of administration.
• The disadvantages of powders include time consuming to prepare, unsuitability of many unpleasant-tasting, hygroscopic and deliquescent drugs, and inaccuracy of dose.
• Very coarse powder has all particles passing through a #8 sieve and NMT 20% through a #60 sieve.
• Coarse powder has all particles passing through a #20 sieve and NMT 40% through a #60 sieve.
• Glassine Paper is a glazed, transparent paper having limited moisture resistant quality.
• Granules are free flowing, stable, less likely to cake or harden, and can be easily wetted by liquids.
• When added to water, Effervescent Granules liberate carbon dioxide resulting in effervescence.
• Effervescent Granules are granules or coarse to very coarse powders containing medicinal agent in a dry mixture of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and tartaric acid.
• Granules are prepared agglomerates of smaller particles of powder, commonly used in the preparation of tablets.
• Effervescent Granules are prepared by the Fusion method and the Wet method.
• Waxed paper is a transparent, water-proof paper.
• Moderately coarse powder has all particles passing through a #40 sieve and NMT 40% through a #80 sieve.
• Fine powder has all particles passing through a #60 sieve and NMT 40% through a #100 sieve.
• Very fine powder has all particles passing through a #80 sieve.
• Descriptive terms for powders of vegetable and animal drugs are defined by the size of the sieve through which all particles pass.
• Descriptive terms for powders of chemicals are defined by the size of the sieve through which all particles pass.
• Particle size analysis is used to obtain quantitative data on the size, distribution and shapes of drug and non-drug components to be used in pharmaceutical formulations.
• Factors that affect particle size analysis include dissolution rate of particles, suspendability, dose or content uniformity, drug penetration, and nongritiness of semi solids.
• Methods of particle size analysis include sieving, microscopy, sedimentation rate, light energy diffraction, laser halography, and cascade impaction.
• Comminution is the process of reducing particle size.
• Trition refers to the process of grinding, which can be done using a mortar and pestle for small scale or mills and pulverizers for large scale.
• Levigation is the process of grinding an insoluble substance to a fine powder, while wet.
• Trituration is a method of blending powders by grinding and mixing with the aid of a mortar and pestle.
• Tumbling is a method of blending powders that are enclosed in a rotating container.
• Geometric Dilution is a special method of blending potent drugs with a large amount of diluent.
• A levigating agent is a liquid substance in which the powder is insoluble.
• Paste formation involves the mixing of powder with a levigating agent using a mortar and pestle.
• Sifting is a method of blending powders by passing through sifters forming a light-fluffy product.
• Dusting Powders are very soluble powders intended to be dissolved in water prior to use as an antiseptic or cleansing agent for a body cavity.
• Dentrifrices, also known as tooth powders, usually contain a soap, mild abrasive and an anticariogenic agent intended to be placed on a wet toothbrush to clean the teeth.
• Types of Powder Papers include Simple bond paper, an opaque paper with no moisture-resistant property, and Vegetable Parchment Paper, a thin semi-opaque paper having limited moisture-resistant property.
• Official Sizes of Powder Papers include 2 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches, 3 3/4 x 5 inches, 3 x 4 1/2 inches, and 4 1/2 x 6 inches.
• Spatulation is a method of blending powders by mixing with a spatula and a sheet of paper or ointment tile suitable for eutectic mixtures.
• Divided Powders, also known as chartula or chartulae, are powders blended and divided into individual dosing units based on the amount to be taken or used at a single time and placed on a small piece of paper that is folded to enclose the medication.
• Common levigating agents include glycerin and mineral oil.
• Factors to consider in blending powders include the nature of the ingredients, the amount of powder to prepare, and the equipment available.
• Bulk Powders are finely divided powders intended to be suspended or dissolved in water or mixed with soft foods.
• Effervescent granules are bulk powders that release CO2 to mask the disagreeable taste of the medication.