Rethabile Seotsa

Powders and granules

Powders
o A powder is a compound made up of finely divided drugs or chemicals in a dry
form.
o Their sizes range from 1.25mm to 1.7mm and plays a huge role in biological,
chemical and physical properties of drug forms.
o They can be used externally or internally.
o They can also be administered orally depending on the patient’s ability to take in
the drug. For example, some patients are unable to swallow solid drugs such as
tablets.
o They are dosages in a solid form available in crystalline and amorphous form.
o They can be prepared in different ways being comminution, blending and
medicated powders.
o Types of powders are tropical powders, insufflated powders.

Granules
o They are small particles of powders used in the formation of pharmaceutical
products.
o They have an irregular shape and their sizes range from 0.2 to 4.0mm.
o They are used in process known as granulation where they stick to form larger
multi particle organizations.
o They can be shaped into various geometrics such as rounded, spherical and
dendritic to name a few.
o They are prepared by three methods being wet, dry and fluid bed granulation.

Advantages of powders and granules

o They dissolve faster than tablets and capsules.
o They are convenient to dispense in a large dose.
o Granules are a step to preparation of tablets.
o Granules are less likely to harden when standing than powders.
o Powders are said to be chemically stable.

Disadvantages of powders and granule

o Powders tend to be inaccurate when it comes to bulk administration.
o They are also not suitable for drugs that are not stable in normal atmospheric
condition.

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o They are less convenient for patients to carry than tablets and capsules.

Storage conditions
o Powders should be stored in moisture proof containers.
o They should be placed in cool dry place.
o They both should be stored in airtight containers.
o Shelf life of external powders is 2-4 weeks.
o Pan coating where coating is done in a pan that’s made up of copper or stainless
steel.
o They are packaged into sachets.

Patient counselling
o Granules are designed in such way that they can be taken with food especially
for children but some of them to not go hand in hand with other foods. For
example, they can be sprinkled on food.
o Granules should be consumed within 15 minutes after opening if not used within
that time it should be thrown away and use another one.
o They can both dissolve easily in water and are often packaged in sachets.
o Some granules and powders are taken on an empty stomach.
o Granules are not to be mixed with warm food.
o Powders once they are prepared they should be consumed within 30 minutes.

References
1. George M. Brenner, Craig W. Stevens. Pharmacology.4th Edition. 2. Scott A.
2. Pharmaceutical Practice. 4th edition. EBook 4. Yvonne. Bouwma-Boer, V’lain
3. Pharmacy practice 6th edition. Johnnie Watson. Louise cogan.
4. Fenton-May, Paul Le Brun. Practical Pharmaceutics. EBook
5. http://www.slideshare.net

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