LAS 6-8

• What are syrups?

  Concentrated aqueous preparations of a sugar or sugar substitute with or without flavoring agents and medicinal substances.
• What are nonmedicated syrups?

  Syrups containing flavoring agents but not medicinal substances.
• Why are syrups used in medicine?

  They provide a pleasant means of administering a liquid form of a disagreeable-tasting drug.
• What are medicated syrups?

  Medicinal or therapeutic syrups that contain active ingredients.
• What role does alcohol play in syrups?

  Alcohol assists in dissolving the alcohol-soluble ingredients but is not present in adequate amounts for preservation.
• What is the most frequently employed sugar in syrups?

  Sucrose (60%-80%).
• Why are concentrated sugar solutions resistant to microbial growth?

  Because of the unavailability of the water required for the growth of microorganisms.
• How does the amount of preservatives required in a syrup vary?

  It varies with the proportions of water available for microbial growth.
• What are the preservatives commonly used in syrups and their concentrations?

  • Benzoic acid: 0.1% to 0.2%
  • Sodium benzoate: 0.1% to 0.2%
  • Combination of methyl, propyl, butyl parabens: total 0.1%
• What are the methods for preparing syrups?

  1. Solution of the ingredients with the aid of heat

  2. Solution of the ingredients by agitation without heat

  3. Addition of sucrose to a medicated or flavored liquid

  4. Percolation of the source of the medicating substance or sucrose
• When is the solution of ingredients with the aid of heat method used for syrup preparation?

  When it is desired to prepare the syrup quickly and the components are not damaged or volatilized by heat.
• What is the first step in preparing syrup using the solution with the aid of heat method?

  Sugar is added to purified water and heat is applied until the sugar is dissolved.
• What should be done after the sugar is dissolved in the syrup preparation with heat?

  Other heat-stable components are added to the hot syrup.
• How is the volume of syrup adjusted after cooling in the heat method?

  By the addition of purified water.
• When should heat-labile agents or volatile substances be added in syrup preparation?

  They are generally added after the sugar is dissolved by heat, and the solution is rapidly cooled to room temperature.
• How is syrup prepared by agitation without the aid of heat?

  Sucrose and other formulative agents are dissolved in purified water by thorough agitation in a larger vessel.
• What is the advantage of preparing syrup by agitation without heat?

  The product has maximum stability.
• What is the process of adding sucrose to a medicated liquid or flavored liquid in syrup preparation?

  A medicated liquid, such as a tincture, is employed as the source of medication, and sucrose is added to the filtrate.
• What must be ensured when adding sucrose to a medicated liquid?

  That the medicated substance should not get precipitated in this process.
• How is percolation used in syrup preparation?

  Purified water or an aqueous solution is allowed to pass through a bed of crystalline sucrose.
• What is the role of the pledget of cotton in the percolation process?

  It is put in the neck of the percolator to control the flow of the aqueous solution.
• How is the flow rate controlled in the percolation process?

  By the stopcock, maintaining rapid sequence drops.
• What is done if required during the percolation process?

  A small portion of liquid is re-passed through the percolator to dissolve the sugar completely.
• What is an example of a syrup prepared by percolation?

  Ipecac syrup.
• What are ointments?

  Semisolid preparations intended for external application to the skin or mucous membranes.
• What are the two types of ointments?

  Medicated and unmedicated ointments.
• What is the purpose of unmedicated ointments?

  They are used for the physical effects they provide as protectants, emollients, or lubricants.
• What are the types of ointment bases?

  • Oleaginous base: No aqueous content
  • Absorption base: Water-in-oil
  • Water removable base: Oil-in-water
  • Water soluble base: Not oleaginous, just aqueous
• What are the two general methods for preparing ointments?

  1. Incorporation

  2. Fusion
• How are solids incorporated into ointments?

  They are first reduced to fine powder and mixed with an equal portion of the base.
• What is the first step for incorporating liquids into ointments?

  The capacity of the base to hold water is tested first.
• How are ointments prepared using the fusion method?

  Ingredients not affected by heat are mixed and heated to melt.
• What is the process for emulsion type bases in ointment preparation?

  Water immiscible ingredients are melted together and the aqueous solution of water-soluble ingredients is heated to the same temperature.
• What is a triple roller mill used for?

  It is used for homogenizing, mixing, and dispersing products in the production of ointments, creams, and other thick substances.
• How does a triple roller mill work?

  It has 3 horizontally positioned rollers that rotate in opposite directions, creating shear force to finely disperse materials.
• What is the purpose of an ultrasonic homogenizer?

  To reduce small particles in a liquid so that they become uniformly small and evenly distributed.
• What is a tube filling machine used for?

  To fill products into tubes made of plastic, aluminum, or laminated materials.
• What are the main components of a tube filling machine?

  • Control unit
  • Frame
  • Filling nozzles
  • Discharge unit
  • Electronic box
  • Tube holders
  • Tanks
  • Safety system
  • Hopper
  • Motor
• What is the function of the control unit in a tube filling machine?

  It contains all the elements for regulating the different parameters of the machine.
• What does the frame of a tube filling machine refer to?

  It refers to the entire structural system that supports all the other parts and components of the machine.