Oral solid dosage forms

Question 1

What are the reasons for coating a tablet?

Answer 1

Protect the drug
Mask the taste/appearance
Identification
Easier to swallow
Changing the release properties

Question 2

What are the types of coating for tablets?

Answer 2

Film - polymers

Sugar (s/c) - sucrose

Question 3

What are capsules?

Answer 3

One or more drug encased in a gelatin shell

Question 4

Can capsules be opened?

Answer 4

Yes - can be swallowed whole or opened

Question 5

Why are capsules used?

Answer 5

Mask taste
Easier to swallow
Administer a measured volume of drug

Question 6

What are the two types of capsule?

Answer 6

Hard gelatin

Soft gelatin

Question 7

What are the issues surrounding capsules?

Answer 7

Vegetarians and religion

Question 8

Which type of capsule has a two piece outer shell?

Answer 8

Hard gelatin

Question 9

Which type of capsule has a one piece flexible shell?

Answer 9

Soft gelatin

Question 10

Which type of capsule can be cleared or coloured?

Answer 10

Both soft and hard gelatin

Question 11

Which type of capsule is filled with powder, granules or pellets?

Answer 11

Hard gelatin

Question 12

Which type of capsule can be filled with powders, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, oils or pastes?

Answer 12

Soft gelatin

Question 13

Which type of capsule can be swallowed whole or as sprinkle caps?

Answer 13

Hard gelatin

Question 14

Which type of gelatin can be swallowed whole, chewed or be opened for external use?

Answer 14

Soft gelatin

Question 15

What are granules?

Answer 15

Powders that have been aggregated together to form larger particles

Question 16

Are granules for internal or external use?

Answer 16

Internal

Question 17

What are diluents/fillers such as lactose, mannitol and cellulose used for?

Answer 17

To add bulk

Question 18

What are binders such as gelatin and cellulose derivatives used for?

Answer 18

To make granules

Question 19

What are disintegrants such as modified cellulose/starch used for?

Answer 19

To break up the tablet

Question 20

What are lubricants/glidants such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate and talc used for?

Answer 20

To improve flow properties

Question 21

What are colourants such as those with E numbers used for?

Answer 21

Identification/appearance

Question 22

In effervescent tablets/powders a reaction between a _________ and ________ produces CO2 to break the tablet up

Answer 22

carbonate and weak acid

Question 23

In chewable tablets, mannitol is a sweetener used and has three functions which are?

Answer 23

Sweeten
Aid solubility
For a pleasant feel in the mouth

Question 24

What are the three types of modified release formulations work?

Answer 24

Delayed release
Enteric coating
Extended release

Question 25

How do delayed release formulations work?

Answer 25

Releases drug after a specific time frame to help target drug delivery

Question 26

How do enteric coated formulations work?

Answer 26

prevents release of drug in stomach (acidic) Drug is released in the intestine Controlled by pH Protects the drug or protects the stomach

Question 27

How do extended release formulations work?

Answer 27

Release of drug from formulation is prolonged Reduces frequency of dosing can improve compliance Names include MR, CR, SR, XL, LA, SA

Question 28

How does a matrix system work in MR?

Answer 28

Drug with a matrix, matrix controls the release of the drug. It is made of polymers and can be split

Question 29

How does a reservoir/membrane system work?

Answer 29

Coating creates a semi-permeable membrane. Membrane controls the release. Made from polymers and plasticisers. Cannot be split

Question 30

In terms of stability what factors affect oral solid dosage forms?

Answer 30

Heat Light Moisture

Question 31

What are the disadvantages of tablets and capsules?

Answer 31

``` Slow onset of action First pass metabolism Systemic action and side effects Gelatin issues Difficulty swallowing - elderly, children, oral route not available ```

Question 32

What are the advantages of powders and granules?

Answer 32

Very stable and can be reconstituted to liquids Accurate dosing from sachets Faster onset of action Good for patients with difficulty swallowing Release can be modified for granules

Question 33

What are the disadvantages of powders and granules?

Answer 33

``` Less convenient for patient Inaccurate dosing from bulk pots First pass metabolism Systemic action and side effects Difficult to mask taste ```

Question 34

What are the advantages of tablets and capsules?

Answer 34

``` Very stable Accurate dosing Convenient for the patient Easy to make and low cost Taste can be masked Release can be modified Can be enteric coated ```