Powders + Granules

Question 1

What are granules?

Answer 1

Agglomerates of powdered material

Question 2

Which is more soluble, amorphous or crystalline?

Answer 2

Amorphous

Question 3

Polymorphs exist in the (solid/liquid/gas) phase and never exists in _____

Answer 3

Exists as solid

Never exists in solution

Question 4

Formation of polymorphism is dependent on what?

Answer 4

Crystallization conditions such as temperature, solvent, etc

Question 5

What is polymorphism?

Answer 5

Ability of a SOLID material to exist in more than one form (not at the same time)

Question 6

Particle size reduction (increases/decreases) surface area

Answer 6

increase

Question 7

Increased surface area tends to (increase/decrease) dissolution rate

Answer 7

increase

Question 8

What is dissolution rate?

Answer 8

TIME it takes for RX to dissolve

Question 9

(T/F) Increasing dissolution rate has no effect upon the extent of solubility of a solute

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Acidic RX are absorbed where?

Answer 10

Stomach

Question 11

Basic RX are absorbed where?

Answer 11

Intestines

Question 12

How long do RX remain in the stomach?

Answer 12

2-4 hrs

Question 13

How long do RX remain in the intestines?

Answer 13

4-10 hours

Question 14

What is micrometrics?

Answer 14

Science of small particles

Question 15

Powder particle size ranges where what?

Answer 15

Coarse (1cm) to extremely fine (1 micrometer)

Question 16

How is sedimentation rate determined?

Answer 16

Measuring particle settling viscosity in a liquid medium via Stokes Law

Question 17

What is an excellent flow property value?

Answer 17

Angle of Repose = 25-30

Question 18

What is a horrible flow property value?

Answer 18

Angle of Repose = >66

Question 19

What is a passable flow property value?

Answer 19

Angle of Repose = 41-45

Question 20

What is the angle of repose?

Answer 20

Estimates powder flow properties

Question 21

Generally, flow is a problem with particle sizes _____

Answer 21

<100 micrometers

Question 22

Powders with low angle flow (freely/poorly)

Answer 22

Freely

Question 23

Powders with high angle flow (freely/poorly)

Answer 23

Poorly

Question 24

Bulk vs Tapped density

Includes pore, air and voids

Answer 24

Bulk

Question 25

Bulk vs Tapped density Density increases

Answer 25

Tapped

Question 26

Bulk vs Tapped density Particles pack more efficiently

Answer 26

Tapped

Question 27

Packing (for porosity's case) is dependent on what?

Answer 27

Particle shape and spaces between particles

Question 28

Small-scale trituration includes...

Answer 28

Grinding w/ mortar and pestle

Question 29

Large-scale trituration includes...

Answer 29

Mills and pulverizers

Question 30

When is sifting not acceptable?

Answer 30

Incorporation of potent drugs into a diluent powder

Question 31

When demixing of powders occur, what is it usually caused by?

Answer 31

Particle size variations or densities

Question 32

What are hygroscopic powders?

Answer 32

Absorb moisture from air

Question 33

What are deliquescent powders?

Answer 33

Absorb moisture from air + partially/completely liquefy

Question 34

To minimize hygroscopic and deliquescent powders, where can store them in?

Answer 34

Tight containers w/ desiccant packs

Question 35

What are efflorescent powders?

Answer 35

Crystalline powders that contain water that is liberated during processing/low humidity

Question 36

What's the problem with efflorescent powders?

Answer 36

It may become sticky or even liquefy

Question 37

How can you minimize the problem associated w/ efflorescent powders?

Answer 37

1. Use anhydrous form of RX | 2. Minimize friction

Question 38

What is an eutectic?

Answer 38

1. Powder becomes sticky or liquefies when mixed together | 2. Melting point reduced when two powders mixed

Question 39

How can you minimize the problem associated w/ eutectics?

Answer 39

1. Mix material w/ bulkuy absorbent powder | 2. Avoid compression (use spatula instead of mortar/pestle)

Question 40

What kind of agents can EXPLODE when mixed??

Answer 40

Oxidizing and reducing agents

Question 41

What kind of individuals prefer oral powders?

Answer 41

Peeps w/ difficulty swallowing solid dosage form

Question 42

What are the advantages and disadvantages of oral powders?

Answer 42

+ = faster dissolution and absorption over solid dosage forms - = Undesirable taste

Question 43

What is insufflation?

Answer 43

Blowing something into a body cavity

Question 44

When are aerosol powders particularly useful?

Answer 44

Anti-infectives w/ a WIDE therapeutic index

Question 45

What is the particle size range of aerosol powders?

Answer 45

1 to 6 micrometers

Question 46

(T/F) Powders dispensed in bulk is only limited to non-potent substances

Answer 46

True

Question 47

When are powder papers used?

Answer 47

Limited to institutional practice

Question 48

What are the advantages of granules?

Answer 48

1. Better flow than small powders 2. May be swallowed directly in food or H2O 3. May be compacted into tabs/caps

Question 49

What are the main methods of forming granules?

Answer 49

1. Wet granulation | 2. Dry granulation

Question 50

What are the disadvantages of granules?

Answer 50

Time and labor investment

Question 51

What kind of dosage form is preferred for reconstitution?

Answer 51

Granules

Question 52

What do effervescent granulated salts release when in contact with water?

Answer 52

CO2

Question 53

What kind of dosage form requires strict control of humidity and temperature conditions (10% RH + 20-25C)?

Answer 53

Effervescent Granulated Salts

Question 54

What are the advantages of effervescent formulations?

Answer 54

1. Protects low pH sensitive material in the stomach 2. Assist delivering large doses 3. Enhanced absorption 4. Masks unpleasant tastes

Question 55

(T/F) Effervescent Granulated can be swallowed directly

Answer 55

Nope, dissolve in H2O first

Question 56

Tartaric and citric acids are used together in a __:__ ratio for effervescent granulated salts

Answer 56

2:1

Question 57

If you just used tartaric acid alone for effervescent granulated salts, what would happen?

Answer 57

Chalky taste, crumbes

Question 58

If you just used citric acid alone for effervescent granulated salts, what would happen?

Answer 58

Produces a sticky material

Question 59

Effervescent granulated salts are prepared in (high/low) humidity and in _____ resistant, stainless steel vessels

Answer 59

low humidity + acid resistant