Learn about semi-solid dosage forms and their types, packaging, and storage of semi-solid dosage forms, ideal properties of semisolid dosage for, and excipients or additives used in the semi-solid dosage form.
Medication is more effective when it reaches its site of action therefore the different routes and dosage forms are used to treat various diseases. Dosage forms are the way by which active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are delivered to sites of action within the body to achieve the optimum desired results with the least amount of side effects. It consists of a combination of drugs and excipients, prepared in a specific configuration and apportioned into a specific dose.
Based on the physical state the pharmaceutical dosage forms are classified as solid, semi-solid, liquid dosage forms, and gaseous dosage form and based on route of administration the pharmaceutical dosage forms are classified as oral, parenteral, topical, rectal, inhaled, ophthalmic, buccal and sublingual route of drug administration.
What is a semi-solid dosage form?
Semisolids are neither solid nor liquid they are a combination or mixture of both and are used for both local and systemic effects. It is intended used as drug carriers that are transported topically through the skin, rectal tissue, buckle tissue, urethral membrane, outer ear lining nasal mucosa, and cornea, etc.
The drug substances are generally applied to the skin in the form of semi-solid formulations for topical treatment of skin diseases or to improve the condition of the skin. The skin can also be recognized as an alternative option of entry for systematically acting drugs since many patients particularly children and elders have faced problems taking medicines orally or the parenteral route.
Types of semisolid dosage forms:
Semisolid dosage forms can be classified into two types, internal and external.
- Internal: examples- suppositories, and pessaries, etc.
- External: examples- ointments, creams, pastes, and jellies, etc.
Definitions: Semisolid dosage forms:
Creams: Cream is a semisolid dosage form for external use containing one or more active ingredients dispersed or dissolved in a suitable fatty base.
Ointments: Ointments are semisolid preparations for external use containing with or without active ingredients with a suitable ointment base, intended for application on the skin to soothe or heal wounds, scrapes, rashes, burns, or other skin problems.
Gels: Gels are semisolid preparations intended for application on the skin, containing hydrophilic or hydrophobic bases with gelling agents.
Paste: A paste is semisolid dosage forms containing a high proportion of finely powdered medicaments with a suitable fatty base intended for topical application.
Poultices: A poultice is a semi-solid made up of a soft, moist mass created by wetting a solid absorbent material. It is for external use containing active ingredients applied to the skin to hold the dressing and protective.
Ideal properties of semisolid dosage forms:
Physical properties: Non-gritty, smooth texture, elegant in appearance, non-hygroscopic, non-greasy, and non-staining.
Physiological properties: Miscible with skin secretion, non-irritating, do not alter membrane or skin functioning, and have a low sensitization index
Application properties: Easily applicable with efficient drug release and high aqueous washability.
Storage properties: Its store temperature should not exceed 25°, Should not be allowed to freeze and stored in a well-closed container.
Mechanism of drug penetration through the skin:
Three possible entry macro routes to the viable tissue:
1. Via the sweat ducts
2. Across the continuous stratum corneum
3. Through the hair follicles with their associated sebaceous glands
Factors affecting semisolid dosage forms:
- The medication incorporated into the semisolid base should reach their site of action, for the effectiveness of the formulations. The skin, on the other hand, acts as a barrier, preventing molecules from the administered medications from entering the body.
- Physio-chemical and biological are the two major factors that affect the dermal penetration of the drug.
List of excipients or additives used in semi-solid dosage forms:
- Sweetening agents
- Solubilizing agents
- Flavoring agents
- Coloring agents
- Preservatives
- Antioxidants
- Thickening agents
- Binding agents
- Suspending agents
- Lubricants
- Solvents
- Perfumes
Packaging and storage of semi-solid dosage forms:
- Aluminum, metal, or plastic tubes are used to package ointments and other semisolid formulations.
- The tubes are tested to ensure that they are compatible and stable with the intended product.
- Tubes used to pack the final topical product are easier to use for patients, lighter, compatible with most drugs and excipients, cost-effective, and offer better protection against external contamination and environmental conditions.
- Tubes of aluminum generally are coated or laminated to eliminate any interactions and protect from moisture.
- All containers are sterilized before being filled.
- Semisolids should be store in tightly closed containers to avoid contamination and in a cool environment to avoid product separation due to heat (temperature).
- Light-sensitive preparations are packaged in light-resistant containers when necessary.
Commonly asked questions o dosage forms are as follows.
Which dosage form is semi-solid oil in water emulsion?
Creams are semi-solid emulsions of oil and water that come in two types: oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O).
How are the ointments classified?
Ointments are classified based on penetration and the basis of therapeutic use.
What is the advantage of a semi-solid dosage form?
The major advantage of a semi-solid dosage form is that it can be applied directly to the affected area, has a longer duration of action, and does not require oral administration.
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