Things to know about Pharmaceutical formulation:

Posted by pooja late on September 27th, 2019

Medicines are believed to be the second doctor whom we strongly trust in case of any disease. The pharmaceutical formulation is the process of combining different chemical substances which includes an active drug that is combined to produce a final medicinal product. The word formulation is used to describe the dosage form.

The formulation in pharma includes different stages and a timeline. The formulation of medicines involves the preparation of drugs to be compatible and stable for the patient. In other words, the drug must be accepted by the patient’s body without any side effects. The pharmaceutical formulation includes the drug to be converted to tablets or capsules. It is important to understand that the tablets or capsules contain not only the drug but also other substances. One must make sure that the encapsulated drug is compatible that is doesn’t cause any harm, be it directly or indirectly.

The formulation in pharma includes the analyzing of the physical, chemical, mechanical properties of the drug to know about the other ingredients to be added in the preparation. The pharmaceutical formulation considers factors such as particle size, polymorphism, pH and solubility which may affect the activity of the drug. The drugs are undergone several stages of clinical tests to improve the effectiveness of the drug. The first level of the clinical test includes the hand-packing of the drugs into tablets. The clinical test is also to test whether the temperature, humidity, oxidation has any adverse reactions on the drug if it is stored for a longer period.

Forms of pharmaceutical formulation

The drugs can be of powder, solid or liquid form. Tablet form contains 5% - 10% of the drug, 80% of fillers, disintegrants, and binders. Capsules are a gelatinous material enclosing the drug. Liquid drugs are either consumed directly or through injections.

Pharmaceutical solutions

Many pharmaceutical chemicals are slowly soluble and also require extended time to completely dissolve in the solution. The below mentioned are the pharmaceutical solutions.

Water and aromatic water: Water that is lightly scented is referred to as the aromatic water. It has high alcoholic content which is used as an aftershave or after bath gel.

Enema: It is the procedure of passing liquids through the anus to the rectum. They are used to relieve constipation and fecal impaction.

Gargles: They are aqueous solutions frequently containing antiseptics, antibiotics used for treating the pharynx and nasopharynx by forcing the air from the gargle that is held in the throat. It gives rapid relief from oral pain.

Syrup: They are concentrated aqueous solutions of sugar or sugar substitute with or without flavors with medicinal substances. The flavors may include strawberry, orange, chocolate, etc. They may or may not use alcohol for the solubility process. The syrup dosage form is used for antibiotics, antihistamine, and vitamins.

Lotions: Body lotions are a type of pharmaceutical solutions for external purposes. They have an acceptable color and odor. The formulation contains glycerin which keeps us moist over a certain period.

Spirits: They have a greater concentration of alcohol than the corresponding aromatic water. When it is dissolved in water, it forms a white milky precipitate which is used for various external purposes.