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Monday, December 28, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of inhalation route of drug administration

The inhalation route of drug administration is particularly designed to offer significant advantages, including rapid onset of action, low risk of systemic side effects, and direct delivery to the disease target site.

The inhalation route of drug administration consists of administration of a substance in the form of a gas, aerosol, or fine powder via the respiratory tract, usually by oral or nasal inhalation, for local or systemic effect. The inhalation route of drug administration is an effective technique for local and systemic drug delivery for pulmonary and non-pulmonary diseases. The purpose of this route of drug administration is to target particular cells or areas of the lung, bypassing the lung clearance system, thus providing high retention of the drug over a long period.
Advantages of inhalation route of drug administration:
  • The major advantage of the inhalation route of drug administration is that, in the treatment of lung and certain other diseases, it is a most commonly used technique to administer medication, it provides rapid onset of action by delivering the active pharmaceutical ingredients to the disease target site.
  • As compared with other forms of the route of drug administration it has minimum systemic side effects.
  • This offers a very quick absorption because of the huge surface area of the respiratory endothelium.
  • It is easy to administer and effective for patients who have distressed breathing.
  • It is possible to administer larger doses than this.
  • Modifying the dose of the drug, according to the needs of the patient is simple.
  • Inhalation therapy facilitates self-administration and therefore increases the compliance of patients.
  • It is possible to formulate a combination of different types of drugs in a single dose for the treatment of disease.
  • Localization of the drug increases the possibility of dose reduction and drug degradation.
  • Owing to minimal intracellular and extracellular drug-metabolizing enzyme activities, high bioavailability of drugs can be achieved in the lungs.
Disadvantages of inhalation route of drug administration:
  • The major disadvantage of the inhalation route of drug administration is that limited drugs are suitable for formulation with this technique.
  • Cleaning after each application is necessary to avoid potential contamination.
  • The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and excipients those have an unpleasant taste and odor are difficult to formulate.
  • Bioavailability relying on the inhaler technique of the patient and the size of drug particles formed through the delivery technique.
  • The performance can be shown variation in between different types, brands, and models prepared by the pharmaceutical industries.
  • For the drug to work optimally, the proper inhaler technique is required, which varies every time, particularly when used by children and elderly patients.
  • As compared with other routes of drug administration, the cost is the major disadvantage of the inhalation route of drug administration since it requires special processes and containers to be prepared.

Commonly asked questions on the route of drug administration are as follows.

What are the different routes of drug administration?
The oral route, sublingual and buccal routes, ocular route, inhalation, rectal, rectal, topical, and trans-dermal are some of the types of the route of drug administration.

What is the major disadvantage of the sublingual route of drug administration?
The limited drugs are available as sublingual formulations and it needs to be placed under the tongue to dissolve, it may be inconvenient for some patients.

What are the different types of modified release drug delivery systems?
Delayed-release dosage forms, prolonged-action dosage forms, repeat-action dosage forms, extended-release dosage forms, controlled-release dosage forms, targeted-release dosage forms, and sustained-release dosage forms, etc. are the types of modified release drug delivery systems.

What is the major advantage of the oral route of drug administration?
The major advantage of the oral route of drug administration is that it is convenient, simple, and secure that is readily available by prescription.
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Saturday, December 26, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of oral route of drug administration

Medications can be administered in many different ways; however, the oral route of drug delivery is most commonly used for the diagnosis or treatment of the disease because it has many advantages, although it also has some disadvantages compared to the other route of drug administration.

The oral route of drug administration is the most preferred method of taking the medication by patients since it is the most convenient, safest, and economical way to deliver drugs; doctors also prefer to prescribe it.
The dosage forms of the oral route include solid and liquid dosage forms e.g. tablets (modified-release immediate-release, enteric-coated), capsules (hard or soft gelatin), powders, granules, emulsions, suspensions, syrup, solutions, and elixirs, etc. They need to be placed in the mouth and swallowed. Most of these are taken for the effect of systemic medication, which is followed by absorption from various surfaces along the gastrointestinal tract.
Advantages of oral route of drug administration:
  • The major advantage of the oral route of drug administration is that it is a simple, convenient, safest drug that readily available by prescription.
  • Available as a ready-to-use, with no preparation or extra requirement, it can be self-administered with water or as it is.
  • It has the versatility to accommodate a wide variety of drugs and it may formulate with different types to change or control the rate and/or time of the release of an active pharmaceutical ingredient to the suitable site in the system.
  • No special skill or training is required for the patient to take the drug.
  • It is an economical route for the administration of medications that can be self-administered without causing any pain.
  • It generally has a lower drug reaction than other routes of drug administration.
  • To make them attractive, the pharmaceutical industry can manufacture in various colors, shapes, and sizes as per the requirement.
Disadvantages of oral route of drug administration:
  • The major disadvantage of the oral route of drug administration is that the most orally administered drugs are absorbed slowly resulting in the slow onset of action.
  • It is not suitable for an unconscious patient, unpalatable, and highly irritant drugs, patients with severe vomiting and diarrhea, drugs that are destroyed by gastric acid and digestive juices.
  • Drugs that have an unpleasant taste and odor are inconvenient to swallow, especially for the elderly and children.
  • To mask the bitter or unpleasant taste and odor of active pharmaceutical ingredients, need to formulate with special excipients or processes, resulting in increases in the product cost.
  • The oral route of administration of the drug is often inefficient as absorption is irregular and incomplete in most cases.
  • Some doses of the medicines may be taken by measuring the dosage, such as liquid, or the tablet may be cut into two parts, in which case the patient needs to be aware.

Commonly asked questions on the route of drug administration are as follows.

What are the different routes of drug administration?
Transdermal, inhalation, topical, sublingual, rectal, vaginal nasal, and intravenous routes of drug administration are some of the types of the route of drug administration.

What is the major advantage of the inhalation route of drug administration?
The major advantage of the inhalation route of drug administration is that it delivers the drug to the disease target site and provides rapid onset of action.

What are the different types of modified release drug delivery systems?
Prolonged-action dosage forms, extended-release dosage forms, sustained-release dosage forms, controlled-release dosage forms, targeted-release dosage forms, delayed-release dosage forms, and repeat-action dosage forms, etc. are the types of modified release drug delivery systems.

What is the major disadvantage of the transdermal route of drug administration?
The stratum corneum can be effectively crossed only by drugs that have a lipophilic character, so the drugs must have certain desirable physicochemical properties for penetration.
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Thursday, December 24, 2020

Types of modified-release dosage forms

The different types of modified release dosage forms are used to control or change the time and/or rate of release of a drug to the appropriate site in the body system to match the therapy goals in disease management.

Modified-release products are widely used in the oral solid dosage form such as tablet and capsule, they are the most preferred oral route of administration for many drugs. The pharmaceutical manufacturers have formulated a variety of dosage forms for patient compliance, with modified-release being one of them that change the time or release rate of a medicament to match therapy goals in disease management.
Modified release dosage forms are designed to ensure that the concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is maintained at appropriate time intervals, deliver the drug in that part of the body, and simplify the dosing schedule. 

Different types of modified release drug delivery systems:

The different types of modified dosage forms are formulated by the pharmaceutical industries to enhance patient compliance by reducing dosing frequency along with minimizing side effects. The classification of a modified release dosage form is as follows.
1. Sustained-release dosage forms
2. Delayed-release dosage forms
3. Extended-release dosage forms
4. Controlled-release dosage forms
5. Targeted-release dosage forms
6. Prolonged-action dosage forms
7. Repeat-action dosage forms

Sustained-release dosage forms: 

Sustained release dosage forms are formulated to release the active pharmaceutical ingredient at an adequately slow or controlled rate over a sustained period, thus a minimum effective concentration of medication can provide long-term therapeutic effects after administration of a single dose.

Delayed-release dosage forms: 

In this form, the enteric coating is usually used on the granules, tablets, capsules, and pellets, so that they are resistant to gastric fluid and does not release in the stomach, although when entering the intestine they disintegrate or dissolve.

Extended-release dosage forms:

Extended-release dosage forms that release medication gradually over a longer time than conventional ones. It provides some significant advantages in patient compliance, convenience, and therapeutic outcomes.

Controlled-release dosage forms:

In this type of dosage form, the medication that is delivered at a controlled rate for an extended time can localize the action of the active ingredient by the spatial placement where it is required and target medication action by using methods to drug delivery to a specific cell type.
Types of modified-release dosage forms

Targeted-release dosage forms: 

The targeted drug delivery is also known as a smart drug delivery system; it is a method of delivering the medicine to the patient in a way, which increases the concentration of the drug in certain parts of the body. It is intended to use for providing a prolonged, localize, and target action of the drug as well as its protected drug interaction with the diseased tissue.

Prolonged-action dosage forms:

This type of dosage form has reduced the release rate of a drug from formulation after administration to keep therapeutic activity, minimize toxic effects, or for any other therapeutic purpose.

Repeat-action dosage forms: 

A repeat action tablet usually contains two doses of the drug, the first one released immediately after oral administration, and the second dose is released later when the layer of the enteric coating dissolves.


Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What is the major advantage of modified release dosage forms?
The modified release dosage forms have the ability to control the rate and site of drug release to reach clinical objectives, reduces the frequency dose, and improves patient compliance.

What is the advantage of effervescent tablets?
It is best suited for patients, especially children and the elderly who have problems swallowing and it has a rapid onset of action.

What is the principle of a tablet coating machine?
The tablet coating instrument operates on the principle of applying coating material as a solution to a group of tablets in a bed that can move vertically or horizontally.

What is the disadvantage of sublingual or buccal administration?
Buccal and sublingual routes of administration are not suitable to formulate the drugs that having unpleasant taste and odor.

What is the difference between soft and hard gelatin capsules?
The major difference between soft and hard gelatin capsules is that the soft gelatin capsules are used for liquid or semi-solid medication, whereas hard gelatin capsules are used for solids.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of modified release dosage forms

The modified release dosage forms have been formulated to ensure that the drug concentration is maintained at appropriate time intervals, simplify the dosing schedule, and to deliver the drug to that part of the body. It has several advantages as well as some disadvantages, let’s check it.

The pharmaceutical manufacturers have developed different types of dosage forms for patient compliance, the modified-release is one of them it used to change or controlled the time and/or rate of release of an active ingredient to match the therapy goals in disease management.
The oral solid dosage form is the preferred route of administration for many drugs and is a widely used formulation of modified-release products. Tablets and capsules are the most commonly used dosage forms of modified release drugs. Sustained-release delayed release, controlled release, extended-release, and prolonged-release is the different terminologies used in the modified release.
Advantages of modified release dosage forms:
  • The major advantage of modified release dosage forms is that it can control the drug release rate and site to achieve clinical objectives which cannot be attained using traditional dosage forms.
  • The extended-release dosage forms can release the drug slowly upon a prolonged period by which we can reduce the frequency of dosing.
  • Modified release dosage forms have less gastric irritation and side effects than immediate-release oral dosage forms.
  • Modified release tablets generally come with a coating such as sugar coating, enteric coating, and film coating, and coating eliminates the unpleasant taste and odor of the drug.
  • Such formulations are intended to protect the drug from the acidic medium (stomach) and allow release and absorption in the intestine.
  • Coated modified-release tablets can enhance the appearance of the product and make the tablet easy to swallow for elderly and children patients.
  • It is possible to enhance the bioavailability with a minimum dose.
  • It provides more precise and uniform effects of active drug ingredients (API) at particular sites.
  • Reduction of frequent doses can increase patient convenience and compliance.
  • By using the modified release dosage form it is possible to reduce the risk of dose dumping and fluctuations in circulation drug levels.
Disadvantages of modified release dosage forms:
  • The major disadvantage of modified release dosage forms is that their side effects may last longer than the shorter-acting, immediate release dosage forms.
  • "Cost" is another major disadvantage of extended-release dosage forms, as its formulation expensive excipients, instruments, and additional processes are required.
  • If a toxic dose is in the formulation, it will remain toxic for a long time.
  • Administration of modified release medication provides slower onset of action, takes a long time to produce the effect.
  • The risk of dose dumping is higher in case of failed delivery of the dose, thus increased the risk of toxicity.
  • It is not suitable for the drugs that absorbed at specific sites; they cannot be given in this dosage form
  • Usually, these types of pills cannot be split, need to be swallowed intact.
Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What are the disadvantages of effervescent tablets?
The effervescent tablet has a complex manufacturing process, used expensive excipients, the large size of tablets, and special packaging required.

What are the types of modified release dosage forms?
There are two types of modified release dosage forms, extended-release dosage form, and delayed-release dosage form.

What is the major advantage of sublingual or buccal administration?
The major advantage of buccal and sublingual administration is that they offer a quick onset of the pharmacological effect of the medication, especially for use in the treatment of acute disorders.

What is the disadvantage of the enteric coating?
The major disadvantage of enteric coating is it involves a tedious and time-consuming process which results in its products being expensive.
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Monday, December 14, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of enteric coating

  The enteric coating is also known as gastric-resistant coating it is a polymer-based barrier that is applied to prevent the dissolution or disintegration of oral medication in the gastric environment, enteric coating has its several advantages and disadvantages also, let’s check it.

The different types of dosage forms are developed by the pharmaceutical industries for patient compliance. Modified-release dosage forms are developed to deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) that part of the body to ensure that the concentration of the drug is retained at a suitable period to simplify the dosing schedule. Enteric coating is a type of modified-release solid dosage form, which prevents stomach irritation by the drug and protects it from stomach acid. The various types of tablet coating such as sugar coating, film coating, and enteric coating are used for medication.
Advantages of enteric coating:
  • The major advantage of enteric coating is that it is used to release the drug in the small intestine (alkaline pH) and avoids the drug release in the stomach (acidic pH), by which they provide long or controlled therapeutic action of the drug.
  • Enteric-coated tablets or dosage forms can mask the taste and odor of the drugs and excipients, makes it easier for children and elderly patients to swallow medicines.
  • It can reduce the frequent dosing of tablets or capsules by releasing sequential medication which can improve patient compliance.
  • It can improve the appearance of the product by using coating different colors.
  • Enteric coating is an economical method as compared to other dosage forms.
  • It is also used in capsules in preparing enteric-coated granules.
  • It usually takes an hour or two for the drug to dissolve, making it ideal for time-sensitive drugs.
  • Compared with uncoated tablets, the coating typically provides physical and chemical protection from environmental conditions to the drug.
Disadvantages of enteric coating:
  • The major disadvantage of enteric coating is that the process is tedious and time-consuming resulting in expensive products.
  • Coating materials are used in bulk quantities.
  • It can interfere with the pharmacodynamic properties of active ingredients.
  • Enteric coating takes additional time after the compression of tablets.
  • It should be handled by a highly skilled technician as it uses expensive equipment and processes.
  • Enteric-coated tablets cannot split or crushed before swallowing, it needs to be swallowed intact.
Commonly asked questions on tablet dosage forms are as follows.

Why effervescent tablets are used?
Effervescent tablets are widely used because it has significant benefits such that it dissolves rapidly in liquid and the ingredients are quickly absorbed.

What is the major advantage of the buccal or sublingual tablets?
The major advantage of buccal or sublingual tablets is that it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and it is good for patients who experience trouble swallowing or digesting the drug.

What is the difference between capsule and tablet?
A tablet is a compressed powder in solid form, while a capsule contains powder, granules, or jelly enclosed in a dissolved gelatin shell.

What is the working principle of the tablet coating machine?
Tablet coating machines operate on the principle of applying coating ingredients as a solution to a group of tablets in a bed that can move horizontally or vertically.


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Advantages and disadvantages of sublingual or buccal administration

 The buccal or sublingual forms of the medication have their advantages, as the drug can absorb rapidly, it is a significant option during emergencies, while the drug is required to work immediately, like during a heart attack.

Sublingual and buccal are solid oral dosage forms of oral administration; they are two different methods of administering medication by mouth. Sublingual administration involves a medication that is placed under the tongue so that it can be dissolved and it can be absorbed into the blood through the tissue there. Buccal administration involves a medication that’s placed between gums and cheeks so that it can be dissolved and gets absorbed into the blood. Sublingual and buccal come in different types such as bullets, films, or sprays.
Advantages of buccal and sublingual administration:
  • The major advantage of sublingual or buccal administration is that they provide a rapid onset of pharmacological effects of drugs, particularly for use in the treatment of acute disorders.
  • Sublingual tablets quickly disintegrate and small amounts of saliva are usually enough to achieve disintegration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with improved dissolution and increased bioavailability.
  • The direct compression method is generally used to manufacture these types of tablets that are a simple, cost-effective, and efficient process.
  • It is easy to take for patients, especially the elderly and children who have problems swallowing pills and capsules, no need to swallow, just placed under the tongue or between the cheeks and gum.
  • Buccal and sublingual form of medication is a better route as compared with oral drug delivery system, it bypasses hepatic metabolism. It does not go through the digestive system, hence they do not metabolize through the liver.
  • Buccal and sublingual administration of the drug is also suitable for those patients who have difficulties in swallowing, suffering from nausea, and even for unconscious patients.
  • It reduces interaction with other drugs and foods when compared with liquid dosage forms and solid dosage forms.
Disadvantages of sublingual or buccal administration:
  • The major disadvantage of the sublingual or buccal dosage form is that it is not for high drug dosing, because of the small size of the oral cavity; just a few very potent drugs can be delivered effectively.
  • It is difficult to formulate drugs that have an unpleasant taste and odor or irritant to the mucosa, as such drugs are dissolved in saliva for mucosal absorption, and they may interact with taste buds in the mouth.
  • Some patients have difficulty keeping the drug on-site, as well as requiring the patient to refrain from talking, drinking, or swallowing during administration.
  • If a patient suffering from any open sores in the mouth, it may become irritated by the medication.
  • Not all medicines are suitable for making sublingual or buccal tablets, it is important to consider the physicochemical properties and mechanism of absorption of active ingredients.
  • It is more rapidly than capsule, tablets, and caplets hence may be swallowed accidentally, might be uncomfortable to the patient.
  • The physical and mechanical characteristics of the tablet, such as hardness, size, wettability, and porosity are the factors that commonly affect the manufacturing of sublingual or buccal tablets; they play a significant role in its dissolution time.
  • This type of drug delivery system is not suited for drugs that need to be processed slowly by the system, such as prolong or extended-release formulations.
Commonly asked questions on tablet dosage forms are as follows.

What are the advantages of effervescent tablets?
The major advantage is it provides an improved taste of the medication and has faster absorption of the drug.

What is the disadvantage of chewable tablets?
If the drug has a problem regarding bitter or foul-tasting are difficult to formulate in a chewable tablet with a pleasant taste. 

What is the major advantage of enteric coating tablets?
The major advantage of enteric coating tablets is that they provide a long or controlled therapeutic action of the drug.
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Friday, December 11, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of chewable tablets

The major advantage of chewable tablets is that it provides the appropriate unit dosage form of the drug that can be easily chewed and then swallowed by the patient, rather than swallowed whole tablet or capsule, however, it has some advantages as well as some disadvantages, let's check it.

Solid dosage formulations such as tablets, capsules, granules, powders, sachets, and caplets are the most used and significant dosage forms in pharmaceuticals. There are many challenges for the pharmaceutical industry to make medicines that are more convenient for patients; the chewable tablet is one of them. 
Chewable tablets are an oral solid dosage form that must be chewed and then swallowed rather than swallowed whole by the patient. It is also a widely used tablet for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients since it has many advantages in terms of dosing accuracy, long-term stability portability, and manufacturability. 
Advantages of chewable tablets: 
  • Chewable tablets are more convenient for patients who have difficulty swallowing, especially children or the elderly. Instead of swallowing intact, it needs to be chewed and then swallowed. 
  • It does not require water to swallow; it can be taken at any time and place. 
  • No special excipients are required in the formulation of chewable tablets; they are similar to conventional tablets. 
  • It is possible to use as an alternative to liquid dosage forms where the rapid onset of action is required. 
  • It has improved bioavailability (which increases dissolution) bypassing dissolution. 
  • It masks the unpleasant odor and taste of the drugs, which provide better patient acceptance through pleasant taste. 
  • Chewable tablets chew in the mouth so the drugs are quickly absorbed and do not pass through the digestive system. 
  • It is an economical product; no expensive equipment and a complex production process are required to manufacture the product as compared to capsules and coated tablets. 
  • If there is a high dose in the formulation, chewable tablets are preferred over traditional and coated tablets.  
Disadvantages of chewable tablets: 
  • The major disadvantage of the chewable tablet is that the drugs having an unpleasant taste that is difficult to formulate in a chewable tablet with a pleasant taste. 
  • It needs special storage conditions since it is hygroscopic. 
  • Chewable tablets have insufficient mechanical strength than the conventional tablets, they need to handle carefully. 
  • Sorbitol is commonly used in chewable tablets that cause diarrhea and flatulence. 
  • Prolonged chewing a tablet cause sore muscles. 
  • Flavoring agents that are used in the formulation of chewable tablets may cause ulcers in the oral cavity. 
  • Chewable tablets can interfere with dentures, so elderly patients always avoid taking them.  
Commonly asked questions on tablet dosage form are as follows. 

What is the major disadvantage of effervescent tablets? 
The major advantage of effervescent tablets is that it rapidly provides exact doses to the patients in the form of palatable sparkling solution. 

What are the disadvantages of the buccal or sublingual tablets? 
This works only for immediate release and not for an extended-release formulation. 

What are the advantages of enteric-coated tablets? 
It masks the bitter taste and when swallowed it remains intact in the stomach, however, dissolves and releases the drug in the intestine. 

What is the characteristic of the delayed-release system? 
The delayed drug delivery system is usually achieved by the application of an enteric coating on dosage forms (tablets, capsules, etc.), This involves the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients only to a specific site in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
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Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of effervescent tablets

Effervescent tablets are the most popular way of taking medication, it has some advantages and disadvantages compared to other methods, let's check it.

The effervescent tablet is an oral solid dosage form of medication that has particular characteristics that allow active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to be rapidly absorbed. It is designed to dissolve while coming into contact with liquids or water, often causing the tablet to dissolve in the solution. These are the uncoated tablets and typically contain acidic substances and carbonates or hydrogen carbonates, which quickly respond to the release of carbon dioxide in the presence of water.
The effervescent tablets are larger than normal tablets which are produced and controlled the same as conventional tablets. These types of tablets are formulated by mixing drugs and excipients with a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and organic acids (citric and tartaric acid) which is controlled by the included physicochemical properties such as hardness, friability, solution time, weight variation, pH, and content uniformity.
Advantages of effervescent tablets:
  • The major advantage of effervescent tablets is that it is easily dissolved and exact doses can rapidly obtain to the patients.
  • Efficiency tablet is most useful for people suffering from dehydration, as it quickly rehydrates the body by releasing electrolytes.
  • Efficiency tablets may be more attractive to the consumer than traditional dosage forms.
  • It may formulate with a large amount of active ingredients as compared to the tablet and capsule dosage form.
  • An effervescent tablet does not have an issue of unpleasant taste and odor of the drug, since it masks the unpleasant taste characteristics of the drug and it is administered as a palatable sparkling solution.
  • Effervescent granules or tablets are useful for drugs that are not stable in a liquid dosage form.
  • As compared to the liquid dosage forms effervescent tablets are stable in atmospheric conditions.
  • It does not have a more complex manufacturing process as capsules and coated tablets.
  • Compared to other types of dosage forms, it performs a more gentle action on the stomach of the patient.
  • Conventional tablets dissolve slowly, but effervescent tablets completely and uniformly dissolve in the stomach.
  • It is a more suitable option for those who may have trouble swallowing tablets and capsules, particularly children and elderly patients.
Disadvantages of effervescent tablets:
  • The major disadvantage of the effervescent tablet is that it requires expensive excipients, a complex production process, specialist packaging materials, and the need for larger tablets.
  • It is not suitable for patients with heart failure or cardiac insufficiency since has a high amount of sodium or potassium.
  • It is an expensive product compared to conventional tablets because most of the materials used are relatively costly.
  • The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) that have an unpleasant taste and smell can be difficult to formulate.
  • It requires a trained person, special packaging materials, and production facilities.
  • It is only intended for immediate release, not for sustained or controlled release.

Commonly asked questions on tablet dosage form are as follows.

What is the major disadvantage of chewable tablets?
The major disadvantage of chewable tablets is that it is difficult to formulate drugs having bitter.

What is the difference between modified release and extended-release tablets?
The major difference between modified release and extended-release tablets is that the modified-release tablets that deliver a drug over a long period, while extended-release tablets are formulated to release the drug slowly over time.

Mention one disadvantage of delayed-release tablets.
A high production cost is a major disadvantage of delayed-release tablets.

What are the advantages of the buccal or sublingual tablets?
The drugs are absorbed quickly and do not go through the digestive system. This is the major benefit of buccal or sublingual tablets.


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Monday, December 7, 2020

Advantage of granules over powders

The major advantage of granules over powder is that the granules are free-flowing, it increases compressibility, content uniformity and it can be used for the preparation of tablets and can enclose in capsules.

Pharmaceutical powders and granules both are orally administered solid dosage form of medicaments; they are convenient forms in which drugs have to be dispensed with a large dose. Currently, only a few drugs are formulated in the form of granules or powders, typically they have taken as it is or with water in which they are readily dispersible and dissolve easily than tablets or capsules as a result of the wide surface area given by the small powder particles and the high solubility of the other ingredients or excipients used in the formulation.
Advantage of granules over powder:
  • To prepare a tablet and some other medication the granules are more preferred than pharmaceutical powders since it flows more uniformly and more freely.
  • Granules increase compressibility as compared with powder.
  • The granules have particle-size uniformity, thus it has relatively more content uniformity than the powder.
  • As compared to the pharmaceutical powders the granules are easily wetted by a solvent, this is the reason the granules are more preferred to make a solution.
  • During the production process, granules eliminate or control dust in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Granules have good compressibility than the powder.
  • Different types of granules such as effervescent granules, coated granules, gastro-resistant granules, and modified-release granules can formulate for medication, but the powder has certain limitations.
  • Tablets prepared by granules are always more ideal for coating than the tablets prepared by powder compression.
  • As compared with powder the granules have a smaller surface area which makes them physically and chemically more stable against atmospheric conditions such as humidity, light, and temperature, etc.
  • The granules can be prepared by the dry granulation or wet granulation methods which are suitable for both sensitive and non-sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) /excipients to moisture.
  • Granules are ideal to formulate tablet as sustained release, controlled release, and extended release.  
Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

How many types of tablet coating equipment are there?
Depending on the working principle, three types of machines are used for tablet coatings such as standard coating pans, perforated coating pans, and fluidized bed coaters.

What is the difference between powders and granules?
The difference between powders and granules is that the pharmaceutical powder is the fine particles to which any material is reduced by pounding, grinding, or crushing, while the granule is a small grain, while granules are also solid oral dosage formulations consisting of dry aggregates of powder particles containing one or more pharmaceutical items, with or without other ingredients or excipients.

What are the methods of determining particle size?
Sieving, microscopy, sedimentation, light scattering, laser holography, and cascade impactor are the methods that are used to determine particle size.

What is the classification of powders?
They are broadly classified into different classes such as bulk powders for external use, bulk powders for internal use, simple and compound powders for internal use, powder enclosed in cachets and capsules, and compressed powder (tablets).


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Saturday, December 5, 2020

Difference between powders and granules


The major difference between powders and granules is that the powder is a mixture of finely divided materials/ chemicals/ drugs in a dry form, whereas the granules are agglomerates of powder material in large, free-flowing particles or a small compact particle of a substance.  

Pharmaceutical powders and granules both are the oldest and most commonly used solid dosage forms for medication by the pharmaceutical industry. Granules are often commonly used solid oral dosage formulations consisting, with or without other ingredients or excipients, of dry aggregates of powder particles containing one or more pharmaceutical drugs. 
A powder is a solid form fine dry bulk, composed of particles of different sizes, shapes, and flow properties. While the desirable characteristics of being in fine size, but with output limitations such as flow complexity and simultaneous clumping. Hence, granulation is preferred to conquer such issues in pharmaceutical manufacturing. 
Here are point-wise mention some differences between the powders and granules: 
  • The powder is the fine particles to which by grinding, pounding, or crushing substances are reduced, whereas the granule is small grain usually created by first mixing the powders and then moistening the mixture to form a pasty mass then it passes with granulation process. 
  • The powder can be used for external applications to the skin, whereas granules cannot be applied to the body. 
  • The powder is smooth to the touch and non-irritating to the skin, while the granules are rough. 
  • The powder has relatively poor flow properties while the granules flow well and is a good choice for compressing tablets.  
  • A powder typically comes in the range from 0.1 to 10 microns while grains have larger particle sizes. 
  • The pharmaceutical powder is physically and chemically less stable in atmospheric conditions such as light, moisture, and temperature, whereas granules are more stable. 
  • Powder causes dust between handling while grains produce less dust. 
  • The dissolution rate of powder and granules is higher than that of tablets or capsules as they rapidly disintegrate the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), however, granules can formulate as a sustained release. 
  • Powder manufacturing requires fewer and simpler processes while granules have complex processes and need to be exposed to heat and contact with solvents.
Powders vs Granules
Difference between powders and granules

Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What is the advantage of the sieving method in particle sizing? 
Low investment costs, fast handling, reliable and reproducible results in a comparatively short time, and the ability to isolate the fractions of the particle size are the major advantages of the sieve sieving method. 

What are the two types of granulation? 
Wet granulation and dry granulation are the processes used to form granules in the pharmaceutical industries. 

What is the difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules? 
The major difference between hard gelatin and soft gelatin capsules is that the hard gelatin capsules are used for solid filling, while soft gelatin capsules are used for liquid filling. 

What are the different types of pharmaceutical tablets? 
The tablets can be either coated or uncoated and are classified based on the route of administration and action. 
1. Tablets ingested orally: compressed, multiple-compressed, sustained release, enteric-coated, film-coated, sugar-coated, and gelatin-coated 
2. Tablets used in the oral cavity: sublingual, buccal, dental cones, lozenges, and torches 
3. Tablets administered by other routes: implantation, rectal, and vaginal tablet 
4. Tablets used to prepare solutions: effervescent tablets 
5. Molded tablets or tablet triturates: dispensing and hypodermic tablets


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Friday, December 4, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of granules dosage form

The major advantage of granules is that it is easily dissolved and release, and have a high rate of utilization and absorption.

The pharmaceutical dosage forms can be categorized as solids, semi-solids, liquids, and gases, which is depending on the form. Most medicines are developed for oral administration in a solid dosage form, in which tablets, capsules, powders, granules are popular.
Granules are solid dosage forms for oral administration that are composed of dry aggregates of powder particles enclose with one or more drugs, with or without other ingredients or excipients. It is mostly used for low-toxicity, high-dose drugs and can be taken as such, dissolved in water, or dispersed in food There are several types of granules are used for medication such as effervescent granules, coated granules, gastro-resistant granules, and modified-release granules.
Advantages of granules dosage form:
  • The granules dosage form is more flexible and convenient to administer, mainly for adult and children patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules.
  • The granules can be formulated by both the dry granulation method and the wet granulation method.
  • The granules can be coated or prepared into an enteric or sustained release.
  • It is also suitable to dispense drugs with a large dosage, and it is convenient to take.
  • Granules are appropriate for industrial production, it has a simple process and it does not need punching or coating instrument. 
  • Granules are also suitable for those drugs that are sensitive to moisture since its formulation does not have moisture content.
  • The dissolution rate of granules is higher than that of tablets or capsules since they must first disintegrate before the drug dissolves.
  • Granules and powders are more chemically more stable than the liquid dosage form.
  • It provides rapid dispersion of medicaments in the stomach when delivered in the pharmaceutical powders or granule form.
  • Granules flow uniformly and freely in the hopper and are more compatible for compression than with powders.
  • Granules have a smaller surface area than powders and it increases compressibility.
  • Granulation is suitable for most kinds of drugs.
Disadvantages of granules dosage form:
  • The major disadvantage of granules is that they are much less comfortable for the patient to dispense and carry as compared with tablets or capsules.
  • It is difficult to formulate active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) which are hygroscopic or deliquescent, amorphous oxygen-sensitive, and volatile.
  • To perform the granulation process experienced person is required.
  • It needs special storage conditions; these types of medicine should be stored in a dry place to prevent moisture degradation.
  • Compared to tablets, pills, and capsules, the dosage of the granules may not accurate as they have a stable dose, high precision, and lowest variability.
  • It includes several processing steps and takes more time, energy, and space, hence it is a costly technique.
  • Granules are not suitable for the administration of potent drugs with low doses; however, the manufacture of tablets and capsules is a more appropriate option for low-dose products.
  • It cannot protect the unpleasant odor and taste of the drugs.
Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What granulation techniques are used in pharmaceutical industries?
Wet granulation and dry granulation are two types of granular technologies are used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

What are the types of tablet coating?
According to the properties and nature tablets are coated with an enteric coating, sugar coating, gelatin coating, film coating, compression coating, electrostatic coating, magnetically assisted impaction coating, dip coating, and rotary-die coating.

What are the different classes of powders?
Bulk powders, divided powders, dusting powders, dry powder inhalers, and powdered antibiotics for reconstitution are the classes of powders.
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Thursday, December 3, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of pharmaceutical powders

The major advantage of pharmaceutical powder is that it is more convenient to swallow than tablet and capsule dosage forms, although the use of pharmaceutical powders in therapeutics is limited.

The pharmaceutical powder is a dry, solid substance, composed of finely divided medicinal and non-medicinal drugs for internal or external use, with or without any excipients. It is a solid dosage form of a thinly divided state usually obtained by grinding, crushing, or commuting. There are two types of powder are used for drug delivery or therapeutic use, bulk powder for internal use and bulk powder for external use.
Advantages of pharmaceutical powders:
  • The powder dosage form is more versatile and convenient to prescribe and administer, particularly for children and the adult patient who have trouble swallowing tablets or capsules or caplets.
  • As compared to other dosage forms it provides rapid dispersion of drugs in the stomach (acidic condition) when given in the powdered form.
  • The rate of dissolution of oral powders of water-soluble drugs is generally higher than that of tablets or capsules, in that disintegration of the tablet or capsule shell is necessary before dissolution.
  • As compared to liquid dosage form it has less incompatibility.
  • The unlimited amount of a unique mix of ingredients can only be possible in powder, not in capsules and tablets.
  • The powder is a good choice for delivering the medication in bulk; it can be administered by mixing with foods or drinks.
  • A powder can be swallowed more easily in water or any other liquid.
  • Its manufacturing process is simple and does not require expensive equipment such as a compression machine, coating pan, and granulation, etc. Therefore, the product is quite economical as compared to other dosage forms.
Disadvantages of pharmaceutical powders:
  • The major disadvantage of pharmaceutical powder is that it cannot prevent the unpleasant taste and odor of the drug.
  • It cannot control the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).
  • The drugs that are hygroscopic or deliquescent, volatile, oxygen-sensitive, and amorphous are difficult to formulate.
  • It does not maintain physical and chemical integrity by protecting it from humidity, heat, and temperature.
  • Powders do not have dose accuracy, like tablets and capsules; they have a stable dose, high precision, and the lowest variability.
  • Pharmaceutical powders are bulky and inconvenient to carry and dispense.
Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

How many types of equipment are used in tablet coating? 
Based on the working principle, there are three types of tablet coating equipment are used in tablet coatings such as the standard coating pan, perforated coating pan, and fluidized bed coater.

What is the difference between tablets and capsules?
The major difference between tablets and capsules is that the tablet contains compressed powder in solid form while the capsule contains powder or jelly which is enclosed in a gelatin shell (hard or soft).

What are the types of granulation?
The granulation technique is generally classified into two types, i.e. dry granulation and wet granulation.

Which are the types of tablet coating are used in pharmaceutical industries?
According to the properties and nature tablets are coated with sugar coating, film coating, enteric coating, gelatin coating, compression coating, magnetically assisted impaction coating, rotary-die coating, electrostatic coating, and dip coating, etc.


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