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 Aerosol
 Classification of aerosol
 Advantages of aerosols
 Disadvantages
 Aerosol principle
 Aerosol System
 Components of Aerosol
 Metered dose inhalers
 Formulation
 Filling of aerosol

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 “Aerosols are pressurized dosage forms containing one
or more active ingredients which upon actuation emit a
fine dispersion of liquid and/or solid materials in
gaseous medium”

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 Two types are:
 Space Sprays:
These are used to provide an airborne mist.
These have Particle size is less than 50 m.
Contain 70-80% propellant
Examples are: Room disinfectants, room
deodorizers, space sprays, air fresheners etc.

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 Surface Sprays :
Used to carry an active ingredient to a surface.
Larger particle size
Contain usually 30-70% propellant.
Examples are: Dermatological aerosols, Non-pharmaceutical
aerosols e.g. cologne sprays etc.

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 Following are the advantages of aerosols over the
other dosage forms:
 Drug can be easily drawn from the package without
contamination
 Affords protection of active ingredients from atmospheric
oxygen and moisture.
 Can be applied on skin in a thin layer without touching the
affected area.
 The particle size is nearly constant which contribute to the
efficacy of drug.
 Aerosol application is a clean process.
 Elegant dosage form
 Dosage may be calibrated by metered dose inhaler

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 The disadvantages of aerosols are as follows:
 High cost because container, valve, propellants and filling
methods are more expensive than traditional packs.
 Disposal of exhausted aerosol packs may be difficult.
 Protection from heat is necessary otherwise bursting may occur.
 Refrigeration effect of propellant may cause problems.
 Toxicity of propellant may cause problems.
 It is necessary to test the formulation against all parts of
container

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 Aerosol product mechanism is quite simple i.e. compressed or
liquefied gas exerts a force upon the internal surfaces of the
container in which it is enclosed. This force per unit area is
expressed in the form of Pounds per square inch gauge.

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 Two-Phase Systems
The two-phase aerosol system consists of
the liquid phase, containing the liquefied
propellant and product concentrate, and the vapor
phase.
 Three-Phase Systems
The three-phase system consists of a layer
of water-immiscible liquid propellant, a layer of
highly aqueous product concentrate, and the
vapor phase
 Compressed Gas Systems
Compressed rather than liquefied gases 9
 Propellant
 Container
 Valve
 Product concentrate

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 “A propellant is a chemical used in the production of energy or
pressurized gas that is subsequently used to create movement
of a fluid or to generate propulsion of a vehicle, projectile, or
other object. “

Two types of propellants are used

 Liquefied gas propellants
 Compressed gas propellants

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  When the propellant is a liquid gas or mixture of liquefied gas, it
frequently serves the dual role of propellant and solvent or
vehicle for the product concentrate

 Gases used in liquefied propellant are also of two types.

1. Fluorocarbons
 Examples:
i. Trichloromonoflouromethane
ii. Dichlorodifluoromethane
iii. Dichlorotetraflouroethane

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2. Hydrocarbons
Examples:
i. Propane
ii. Butane
iii. Pentane
iv. Hexane

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Compressed propellants are of two types:
 Insoluble

 Soluble

INSOLUBLE GASES:
They include Nitrogen and Argon
SOLUBLE GASES:
They include carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide

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 There are usually three types of containers are used
 Glass containers
 Metal containers
 Plastic containers

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 Uncoated Glass.
 Plastic coated glass

 Glass aerosol containers, especially those that are

plastic-coated, are now used perhaps as widely as
any other material for pressurized medicinal. They are
usually inert materials.
 Mostly coating the glass from inner side is done if
product is not compatible. Outer side is coated to
protect from light or to avoid breakage of glass.

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 Mostly metal containers used are
 Tinplated

 Aluminum

 Stainless steal

PLASTIC CONTAINERS
 Not widely used for aerosol container but
Polyethylene tetra phthalate (PET) container as used
for some non pharmaceutical products.

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 Actuator: The button the user presses to activate the valve
assembly for emission of the product.
 Stem: Supports the actuator and delivers the formulation in the
proper form to the chamber of the actuator.
 Gasket: Placed snugly with the stem, prevents leakage of the
formulation when the valve is closed.
 Spring: Holds the gasket in place and is the mechanism by which
the actuator retracts when pressure is released, returning the
valve to the closed position.
 Mounting cup: Attached to the aerosol can or container, holds
the valve in place.
 Housing: Directly below the mounting cup, the housing links the
dip tube and the stem and actuator.

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 Dip tube: Extends from the housing down into the product;
brings the formulation from the container to the valve.

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 Product concentrate contains ingredients or mixture
of active ingredients and other such as solvents,
antioxidants and surfactants.

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 Metering valves are employed when the formulation is potent
medication. The metering valve is constructed to deliver a
prearranged measured quantity of product each time the valve is
actuated. This is achieved by a valve design which isolates a
given volume of product in a separate chamber and releases it
when the valve is actuated, while simultaneously shutting off the
flow of remaining contents.
 Most metering valves employ a molded plastic or machined
stainless-steel chamber whose internal diameter determine the
metered quantity.

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 An aerosol formulation consists of two parts:
 Product concentrate

 Propellant.

 PRODUCT CONCENTRATE:
Product concentrate contains ingredients or mixture
of active ingredients and other such as solvents,
surfactants.

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 PROPELLENT:
May be single or blend of propellants.
Blends of propellants are used in formulation to achieve
desired solubility characteristics or various surfactants
are mixed to give the proper HLB value for emulsion
system
To give the desired vapour pressure, particle size and
solubility.

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 Filling of aerosols is performed by two methods

 COLD FILLING:
In this method both propellants and product
concentrate must be cooled to -30° to -40F°. Now
container is also cooled equally and then product is
added. The vapours of still cold propellant displace the
air of the container and then immediately valve is
inserted.

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 PRESSURE FILLING:
The product concentrate is placed in the container
and the valve assembly is fixed. Then propellant is
passed from a container to the aerosol container up to
required capacity. This may also be done when pressure
of container having propellant initially is adjusted.
During filling when pressure becomes equal then this
filling is automatically stopped. Now shake the
container.

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