The suspension is a biphasic liquid or semi-solid dosage form that offers several advantages compared to other dosage forms and it also has some disadvantages they are listed below.
The dosage forms are the different pharmaceutical products by which the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is administered and are classified into two types such as according to the route of drug administration and physical form of the drug. They are particular mixtures of drugs and excipients and are formulated by different methods in a special combination such as solid, semi-solid, liquid, and gaseous dosage forms.
The pharmaceutical suspension is a biphasic liquid or semi-solid dosage form where insoluble solid drug particles are homogeneously dispersed in liquid or semi-solid medium. It is a coarse dispersion in that the internal phase is dispersed evenly throughout the external phase. The internal phase consists of insoluble solid particles ranging in size from 0.5 to 5 μm, and the external phase consists usually of aqueous in some instances, can be an organic or oily liquid for non-oral use.
Advantages of suspensions dosage form:
- The major advantage of the suspension dosage form is that the medication in suspension exhibits a higher bioavailability rate compared to other dosage forms.
- Compared to solid oral dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, caplets, and granules, the suspension is easier to swallow, mainly for the elderly and child patients who have difficulty swallowing solid dosage.
- The suspension is best suited for drugs with unpleasant taste and odor, it can be prepared in a pleasant taste using sweetening and flavoring agents (sugar) that children like.
- The suspension is suitable for drug delivery systems for therapeutic agents that have low solubility.
- The unlimited amount of a unique blend of drugs and excipients or ingredients can formulate in the suspensions dosage form.
- Pharmaceutical suspensions can be providing sustained/controlled release drug delivery in the form of intramuscular injections.
- It can resist drug degradation due to oxidation, hydrolysis, or microbial activity.
- Compared to other liquid dosage forms, a relatively high drug concentration can be incorporated into the drug suspension.
- Self-administration of the drug is possible and does not produce pain such as parenteral route (injection).
- The suspension ensures rapid dissolution (onset of action) required for absorption than tablets and capsules.
- The required dose can be changed and taken by measuring, which is not possible in the dosage forms of tablets, capsules.
Disadvantages of suspensions dosage form:
- The major disadvantage of the suspensions dosage form is that the pharmaceutical suspensions are unstable and for this cause, formulation skills are required to ensure that the physical stability of the product remains intact throughout the shelf-life period.
- Uniform and the accurate dose may not be achieved since it has to be manually measured at each time of dosing.
- It is bulky, prone to container breakage, and hence sufficient care must be taken during handling and transport.
- Occasionally microbial contamination occurs if the preservative agents are not added to the correct ratio.
- Comparison with other dosage forms is difficult to prepare pharmaceutical suspensions because not all drugs and excipients are suitable for formulation.
- Sometimes sedimentation of solids gives a poor form of product, which can cause caking, which may difficult to dispense.
- This requires a specific manufacturing process, equipment, and trained person resulting in the suspension being a more expensive product than solid dosage forms.
Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.
Why are suspensions used in medicine?
The pharmaceutical suspension is formulated when the drug is insoluble in the delivery vehicle, to increase the stability of the active ingredient, mask the bitter taste and odor of the drug, and achieve controlled/sustained drug release.
What is the difference between emulsion and suspension?
The major difference is the emulsion is a heterogeneous mixture of two immersed liquids, while the suspension is a heterogeneous mixture, in which the dispersed particles are large and settle on standing.
What are the types of modified release drug delivery systems?
Sustained-release, targeted-release, delayed-release, repeat-action extended-release, prolonged-action, and controlled-release, dosage forms are the types of modified release dosage forms.
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