SOLID DOSAGE FORM: POWDERS

Charta:- A Powder

Pulvis:- Powder

Definition:

Powders are the homogenous mixture of drugs and chemicals in dry form
and the fine state is meant for internal and external use.

These are available in amorphous or crystalline form.

ADVANTAGES:
1. Faster dispersal of medicament compared to a tablet, capsules.
2. Convenient for dispensing the bulky drug.
3. Dry therefore stable, less incompatible, rapid onset of action.
4. Convenient for children & elderly patients.
5. Economical.

DISADVANTAGES:
1. Drugs having bitter, nauseous, unpleasant taste cannot be dispensed in
powder form.
2. Deliquescent & Hygroscopic drugs cannot be given in powder form.
3. Drugs affected by the atmospheric condition cannot be given in powder
form.
4. Dispensing is time-consuming.
5. Weighing difficulty. ( qty. Less than 100mg )

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Classification of Powders:-
Powders

Internal Powder External Powder

Divided Powder Bulk Powder Bulk Powder

i) Simple Powder i) Antacid i) Dusting Powder

ii) Compound Powder ii) Laxative ii) Insufflations

iii) Cachets iii) Effervescent powder iii) Snuffs

iv) Tablet Triturate iv) Dentifrices

General Method of Preparation of Powder:

Powders are prepared by using the following steps:

1) Size Reduction:- i) Trituration ii) Levigation iii) Pulverization

2) Mixing:- i) Spatulation ii) Trituration iii) Tumbling
3) Dividing:- i) Estimation ii) Blocking & Dividing iii) Powder measure
iv) Powder weighing
4) Packaging and Labelling

For the preparation of bulk powder step 1, 2 & 4 is followed.

For the preparation of divided powder, all 4 steps are followed.

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1) Size Reduction:-

i) To facilitate the mixing and to get homogenicity of the content size

reduction is an essential operation.

ii) It may be done by using methods like Trituration, Levigation &

Pulverization.

2) Mixing of Powders:-

The powders may be mixed by anyone of the following methods

i) Spatulation

ii) Trituration

iii) Geometric Dilution

iv) Sifting

v) Tumbling

i) Spatulation:-

i. In this method, the mixing of powders is done by the movement of a

spatula throughout the powders on a sheet of paper.
ii. This method is very useful in mixing a small amount of powder & solid
substances that liquefy when in close & prolonged contact with one
another since very little compression or compact result.
iii. This method is not suitable for large quantities of powders.

ii) Trituration:-

i. It is used to reduce particle size & mixing of powders.

ii. If the size reduction is desired along with the mixing of powders.
iii. A porcelain mortar with a rough inner surface is preferred to glass mortar.
iv. A glass mortar cleans more readily after use.

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iii) Geometric Dilution:-

i. This method is used when potent substances are to mix with a large
amount of diluent.
ii. The potent drug is triturated with an equal volume of diluent.
iii. The second portion of diluent equal in volume to the powder mixture in
mortar is added & trituration is repeated.
iv. The process is continued, adding diluents equal in volume to the powder
mixture in the mortar at each step, until all diluents are incorporated.
v. E.g. If 100 mg of Potent drug is required to be mixed with 900 mg of
Lactose then according to Geometric dilution, the following procedure
should be followed.
100 mg of potent drug + 100 mg of Lactose = 200 mg of Mixture
200 mg of Mixture + 200 mg of Lactose = 400 mg of Mixture
400 mg of Mixture + 400 mg of Lactose = 800 mg of Mixture
800 mg of Mixture + Remaining portion of Lactose = 1000 mg of Mixture

iv) Sifting:-

i. This process results in a light fluffy product & is generally not acceptable
for the incorporation of potent drugs into a diluents base.
ii. The powders are mixed by passing through sifters.

v) Tumbling:-

i. Tumbling is the process of mixing of powders in a large container rotated

by an electric motor.
ii. These blends are widely employed in the industry as large amount or
volume of powder mixers.

3) Dividing:-

The size-reduced & mixed powders are divided suitably. For the dividing of
powders Estimation, Blocking & Dividing, Powder measure & Powder weighing
technique are used.

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a) Estimation:-

i. In this method papers arranged on the prescription bench & portion of the
powder are transferred to each with a spatula.
ii. Equalization of the portion & adding to others.
iii. It is an inaccurate method & not used now a days.

b) Blocking & Dividing:-

i. The powder is placed on paper & is blocked with suitable mean each block
is separately packed as a single dose.
ii. It is an inaccurate method, rarely used now a days.

c) Powder Measures:-
i. The use of scoops, spoon & suitable powder dividers has been introduced.
ii. It is also an inaccurate method & not used now a days.

d) Weighing each powder:-

i. In this method, each dose of powder is separately weighed & dispense.

ii. Various balances are used for the process & an individual dose of powder is
accurately weighed.
iii. It is a time-consuming process.
iv. It is the most accurate & commonly used method now a days.

4) Packaging & Labelling :-

The divided powders are packed in suitable powder papers, Powder boxes &
Envelop with special labeling instruction.

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A) Internal Powder:
1) Divided Powder:
These are the powders that are dispensed in the form of an individual dose.

i) Simple Powder:

These are the powders that contain only one ingredient either in crystalline or
amorphous form.

e.g. Dispense 6 powders of “Aspirin” each powder contain 300 mg of Aspirin.

Rx

Aspirin- 300 mg

Make Powder

Direction: One powder to be taken every 8 hours.

Method of Preparation:

1) Powder the Aspirin and weigh the required quantity of aspirin.

2) Weigh 300 mg of aspirin for powder.
3) Wrap each dose in individual powder paper.
4) Pack it flap to flap and be restrained with an elastic band.

ii) Compound Powder:

These are the powders contain two or more than two substances which are
mixed & then divided into the desired number of individual dose.

e.g. Dispense 8 powders A.P.C.

Rx

Aspirin – 300 mg

Paracetamol – 150 mg

Caffeine – 50 mg

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Direction:- One powder to be taken when the need arises.

Method of Preparation:-

i. Powdered all ingredients weigh the calculated quantity of each ingredient.

ii. Mix them in ascending order of their weight.
iii. Weigh 500 mg of the mixed powder for each powder.
iv. Wrap each dose in individual powder paper & then packed.

iii) Powders enclosed in Cachets:

i. These are solid unit dosage forms made up of rice paper or rice sheet consist
of body & cap in which powder is enclosed.
ii. Cachets are also known as wafer capsule & Konseals by trade names.
iii. Cachets are hard to swallow as such hence they are softened by dipping in
water for a few seconds & then swallowed with plenty of water after
swallowing cachets get disintegrate & drug released.

Advantages of Cachets:-

i. They can make it easy because no complicated machinery is required.

ii. They disintegrate in the stomach quickly.
iii. The drug can easily be dispensed in cachets.
iv. Large doses of the drug can be enclosed in cachets than tablets or capsules.

Disadvantages of Cachets:-

i. They must be softened before swallowing.

ii. They are easily damaged.
iii. They cannot protect the drug from light & moisture.
iv. They are not suitable for filling the drug by large scale machinery.
v. They require more space than the size of the capsule & tablet.

Type of Cachets:-

Depending upon the method used for sealing cachets are divided into 2
types-

1) Wet seal cachets

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2) Dry seal cachets

1) Wet seal cachets:-

i. Wet seal cachets are made up of two similar convex halves having flat
edges.
ii. The weighed quantity of powder is placed in one half and sealing is done
with the help of the application of water or suitable liquid on the inner &
outer part of the body & cap.

2) Dry seal cachets:-

i. Dry seal cachets consisting of two halves i.e. Upper half & Lower half.
ii. The diameter of the upper half is slightly larger than the lower half.
iii. The powder is filled in the lower half & the upper half is fitted over it.

Packaging & Storage of Cachets:-

i. Cachets are packed in boxes or Tins in which they are placed on their edges
or lying flat.
ii. They contain an auxiliary label with direction for its use, “Immerse in water
for a few seconds & then swallow with a draught of water”.
iii. They are stored in cool & dry place.

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iv) Tablet Triturate ( Moulded Tablets):-

i. These are the fine powders that are shaped in a small flat disc-like that tablet
so they are also known as moulded tablets.
ii. They are small flat disc & powders moulded into tablets.
iii. Usually, they contain only the medicament & diluent such as Lactose.
iv. Tablet triturates contain very potent drugs mixed with suitable additives.
E.g. Strychnine, Atropine, Morphine, etc.
v. Now a days tablet triturate machine is available which can prepare 2500
tablets per minute.
vi. These are the tablets in which powder contents are converted into a tablet by
using a suitable converting mould.
vii. Hypodermic Tablet:- These are the powders that are dissolved in water
for injection & the resulting solution is injected hypodermically
(Parenterally administered).

2) Bulk Powder for internal use:

i. These are the powders which are dispensed in large dose are known as
Bulk Powders.
ii. When powders are dispensed in bulks the dose accuracy is not important.
iii. They are supplied in wide-mouth containers for easy removal.
iv. The non-potent substances like antacid, laxative & effervescent powder/
granules are supplied in bulk powder.
v. E.g. Antacid Powder, Laxative Powder, Compound Rhubarb Powder B.P.C.,
Compound Bismuth Powder, Effervescent Granules, etc.

a) Effervescent Granules:-
i. These are specially prepared dosage form of solid meant for internal use.
ii. They contain a medicament mixed with citric acid, tartaric acid & sodium
bicarbonate.
iii. They are added to water & taken immediately when effervescence occurring.

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Advantages of Effervescent Granules:-

a) The carbonated solution becomes an ideal vehicle for bitter drugs like
magnesium sulphate.
b) The liberated CO2 stimulates the flow of gastric juice & acts as Carminative.

Formulation of Effervescent Granules:-

i. It consists of the drug, respective additives, acids & alkali i.e. Citric acid,
tartaric acid & sodium bicarbonate are the major content of formulation due
to which liberation of CO2 is possible.
ii. Sodium bicarbonate reacts with acid & causes evaluation of CO2 in presence
of water.
iii. Tartaric acid is anhydrous.
iv. Citric acid contains 1 mole of water for crystallization & the required
moisture for granule formation is attain in the content due to water of
crystallization.
v. Tartaric acid initiates the reaction between citric acid & sodium bicarbonate
& neutralization of sodium bicarbonate takes place.
vi. Citric acid performs the function like provides water for crystallization &
also neutralization sodium bicarbonate.
vii. The tartaric acid neutralizes the remaining sodium bicarbonate.

Formulation of effervescent granules:-

i) Sodium bicarbonate

ii) Citric acid

iii) Tartaric acid

iv) Sugar as a sweetening agent

v) Medicament

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Method of Preparation of Effervescent Granules:-

There are two methods of effervescent granules-

1) Heat / Fusion Method

2) Wet Method

1) Heat / Fusion Method:-

i. A large porcelain dish is placed on a water bath.

ii. The dish must be hot to ensure the rapid liberation of water of crystallization
from citric acid.
iii. If heating of the dish is delayed, the powder which is added to it will heat up
slowly & the liberated water of crystallization from the citric acid will go on
evaporating simultaneously.
iv. As a result, sufficient water will not be available to make coherent mass.
v. Generally, heating takes 1 to 5 minutes. The damp mass is then passed
through a sieve, dried in an oven temperature not exceeding 60 oc.
vi. The water needed for granulation is provided from two sources-
i) From the water of crystallization of citric acid:-
The citric acid contains one molecule of water of crystallization that is
liberated during heating.

3NaHCO3 + C6H8O7H2O C6H5Na3O7 + 3CO2 + 3H2O

Sodium bicarbonate Citric acid Sodium citrate

ii) The water produced from the reactions of citric acid & tartaric acid with

sodium bicarbonate.

2NaHCO3 + C4H6O6 C4H4Na2O6 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

Sodium bicarbonate Tartaric acid Sodium tartarate

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2) Wet Method:-

In this method all the powder ingredients are mixed with a solvent like
alcohol & compact mass is prepared & passed through sieve no.8 & granules are
dry at about 60 oc temperature.

The added solvent is evaporated & the formulation is used as effervescent

granules.

Containers for Effervescent Granules:-

1) Wide mouth airtight bottles are used for this formulation.

Why necessary for preheating of porcelain dish during the preparation of

effervescent granules?

Ans:- Preheating of porcelain dish during the preparation of effervescent granules

is necessary because-

i. The porcelain dish must be hot to ensure the liberation of water of

crystallization from citric acid.
ii. For the granulation, water is needed.
iii. The porcelain dish heated the citric acid liberates water for crystallization.
iv. So, necessary for the preheating of a porcelain dish.

B) Bulk Powder for External Use:

1) Dusting Powder
2) Insufflation
3) Snuffs
4) Dentifrices

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 1) Dusting Powder:-
These are the bulk powder meant for external application to the skin &
generally applied in a fine state to avoid local irritation.

Dusting powder should be pass through sieve no.8 to enhance their

effectiveness.

Dusting powder is mainly used for their – Antiseptic, Astringent, Absorbent,

Antiperspirant action, etc.

Ideal properties / Qualities of Dusting Powder:-

The dusting powder has the following properties-

i. Homogenous
ii. Non-irritating
iii. Flow easily
iv. Spread uniformly
v. Cling to the skin
vi. Non-toxic
vii. Having a good covering capability
viii. Good absorptive & adsorptive capacity

Types of Dusting Powder:-

There are two types of dusting powder such as-

1) Medicated dusting powder

2) Surgical dusting powder

1) Medicated dusting powder:-

These are the powders mainly used for superficial skin conditions.

2) Surgical dusting powder:-

These powders are used in the body cavity & also to open wounds. These
powders must be sterilized before their use.

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Formulation of Dusting Powder:-

i. Dusting powder is generally prepared by mixing two or more ingredients.

One of which must be either Starch, Talc, Kaolin as one ingredient of the
formulation.
ii. Talc & Kaolin are mostly used because they are chemically inert & also a
therapeutic agent.

The container of Dusting Powder:-

Dusting powder is dispensed in Sifter top container OR Aerosol container.

2) Insufflation:-
These are the medicated dusting powder for introduction into body
cavities such as the Nose, Throat, Ear & Vagina with the help of an
apparatus known as insufflator.
Insufflation should be finely divided powder so that a stream of fine
particles of medicament gets applied to the site application.

Insufflator consists of a bulb, chamber & delivery nozzle. The powder is placed in
the chamber when the bulb is compressed. The air current carries fine particles

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through the nozzle to the body cavity. It produces local as well as systemic effects
also in the treatment of Ear, Nose & Throat infection.

Disadvantages of Insufflation:-

i. Non- uniform dosage form.

ii. Particles stick to each other & wall of insufflators. The newer aerosols
overcome these difficulties.

3) Snuffs:-
i. These are finely divided solid dosage forms of medicament which
are inhaled into nostrils for its Antiseptic, Bronchodilator &
Decongestion action.
ii. They are dispensed in flat metal boxes with hinged lid.
4) Dentifrices:-
i. These are the bulk powder meant for cleaning the surface of teeth
with help of a toothbrush.
ii. They are available as fine powders & paste.
iii. They contain suitable detergent, abrasive substances, flavouring
agents & additives.
iv. Abrasives are also known as Polishing agents used to remove
debris & residual strength from the teeth surface without damaging
it.
v. Detergents are the surface-active agents which are used to enhance
the action of abrasives. They lower the surface tension & suspend
the debris.
vi. Saccharin is used as a sweetening agent.
vii. The abrasive agents such as Calcium sulphate, Magnesium
carbonate, Sodium chloride & Sodium carbonate used in a fine
state.

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Problems Involving in Dispensing of Powders:-

A no. of problems arise while dispensing a powder containing,

1) Hygroscopic & Deliquescent powders

2) Volatile substances

3) Efflorescent powders

4) Eutectic mixtures

5) Liquids

6) Explosive substances

7) Potent drugs

8) Granular powder

1) Hygroscopic & Deliquescent powders:-

i. The powder which absorbs moisture from the atmosphere is termed as

‘Hygroscopic powders’.
ii. Certain powders absorb moisture to such a great extent that they go into
solution are called ‘Deliquescent powders’.
iii. E.g. Ammonium chloride, Iron, Pepsin, Sodium bromide, Sodium iodide,
etc.
iv. Such substances should be supplied in the Granular form. It should not be
finely powdered, such powders should be Double Wrapped and in humid
weather, it should be further wrapped in aluminum foil.

2) Efflorescent powders:-

i. Some crystalline substances liberate water of crystallization on exposure

to the humid atmosphere & thus wet on exposure to the atmosphere.
ii. E.g. Caffeine, Ferrous sulphate, Citric acid, etc.
iii. This difficulty may be overcome by using Anhydrous salt may be mixed
with efflorescent & Double wrapping should be provided to prevent
absorption of moisture from the air.

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3) Eutectic mixtures:-
1. When two or more substances are mixed they liquefy due to the formation of
the new compound which has a lower melting point than room temperature
is known as a Eutectic mixture.
2. Substances like Menthol, Thymol, Camphor, Phenol, Aspirin, Phenacetin,
Chloral hydrate, etc.
3. Such content is converted into powder by adding additives like Absorbents
in the formulation.
4. The absorbents give a protective covering to the contents of the eutectic
mixture and avoid liquefication.
5. Spatulation is done instead of trituration during the mixing of content.
6. Also, dispense a separate set of powder with the direction that one set of
each kind shall be treated as a dose.
7. The proportion of eutectic content, room temperature at the preparation,
quantity of absorbent added should be taken care of to overcome this
difficulty.

5) Liquids:-

1. The liquid drug can be incorporated in powder form, during incorporation of

liquid into the powder specific care for trituration and control over the
addition of a quantity of liquid is to be added.
2. Additives like absorbents are added in the formulation due to which liquid is
easily incorporated.
3. Thus, the small quantity of liquid can be easily incorporated & a large
quantity of liquid can also be incorporated by taking some specific care.
4. In some cases, the diluents are added to the formulation to avoid stick mass
formulation.

6) Explosive substances:-

1. When oxidizing & reducing agents are triturated in a mortar there are
chances of an explosion which may lead to serious consequences.

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 2. Oxidizing agents like Potassium chlorate, potassium dichromate, potassium
nitrate, potassium permagnate, etc & reducing agents like sulphur, tannic
acid, sulphides, etc.
3. Such substances are dispensed as a powder, they should be dispensed
separately.
4. In separate powder paper & also use Tumbling for mixing.

7) Potent drugs:-

1. Potent drugs are the drugs that have a dose of 60 mg or less or poisonous
substances are regarded as potent drugs.
2. Such drugs are converted into powder by the addition of diluent (Lactose)
into it.
3. The geometric dilution method is followed for the mixing of diluents with
the drug.
4. The diluents like lactose, fructose, starch, glucose, etc are used in this
formulation.

8) Granular powder:-

1. These are the solid medicaments that are required to be administered orally
in large doses, & these medicaments are difficult to dispense as such in
powder form because of its bitter, nauseous & unpleasant taste & it is also
difficult to convert in liquid dosage form due to stability problem. So these
powdered drugs are converted into granular form.
2. Some of the antibiotics like erythromycin, nystatin, penicillin, etc which are
unstable in solution, are prepared in dry granular form in which the drug is
mixed with suspending, sweetening, flavouring, colouring & granulating
agents & granules are formed.

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Double Wrapping:-

1. Double wrapping is useful for the packing of volatile, hygroscopic &

deliquescent substances.
2. It is made up of two layers of different papers.
3. The inner layer of white glazed paper but it will not give adequate
protection.
4. Therefore outer layer lined with waxed (Butter) paper.
5. The lining is cut a few mm smaller each way than the white glazed paper &
it is quite satisfactory to fold both papers together.
6. In exceptional cases, each packet may be wrapped externally in aluminium
foil.

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