In pharmacies, we see thousands of different drugs every day. Tablets, sprays, syrups, suspensions ... From this variety just the head goes round. Which is better: solid or liquid dosage forms? What is the peculiarity of medicines in the vesicles? Let us examine in detail what is hidden in these mysterious liquids.
Why are such drugs needed?
Liquid dosage forms have a wide range of uses. Often they are used as an internal remedy, less often - an external one. These medicines are available in special glass containers.
They treat colds and eye diseases, cough and gastrointestinal ailments, and some medicinal fluids are used in the process of complex surgical interventions.
What are they like?
In order for the user to clearly distinguish one type of medication in the vial from another, there is a classification of liquid dosage forms. According to her, all such funds can be divided into the following groups:
- potions;
- extracts;
- syrups;
- solutions;
- decoctions and infusions;
- drops;
- emulsions;
- bathtubs;
- tinctures;
- suspensions.
Each of the types has application features. Let's take a look at these liquid dosage forms in more detail.
Potions
This form of medication is a powder or liquid. They are usually dissolved in water. Liquid medicine includes solutions of salts, extracts, syrups and aromatic waters. These liquid dosage forms are made on the basis of individual prescription needs in pharmacies. They are stored for no more than five days.
Dry potions are sold in the form of powder, which is brought to the right volume with water at home. Such preparations should be stored according to the manufacturer's recommendations: in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
In the manufacture of medicine, the following principle is applied: first, rubbing substances that dissolve most easily. Then, pre-homogenized poorly soluble components are introduced. Plant materials are initially ground into powder with the addition of water.
If an alcohol tincture is required to be added to the aqueous solution, it is recommended to do this in small portions to prevent precipitation.
Extracts
The peculiarity of these tools is that the manufacturing technology of liquid dosage forms is reduced to the extraction of useful substances from medicinal herbs into a solvent and its subsequent concentration. Extracts are divided into three types:
- liquid, which are dosed by volume;
- dry (they are loose, the proportion of water is not more than 5%), are usually included in the composition of the tablets;
- thick (viscous in consistency, the proportion of water is not more than 25%).
Extracts can be applied internally or externally. They are stored for up to five years in packaging in a cool place without access to light, during which precipitation is likely. Therefore, it is best to shake the extract before use.
Syrups
The preparation of liquid dosage forms in the form of syrups is reduced to a thickening of sucrose solutions. In addition to the main active ingredients, they may include extracts and flavorings. By their consistency, syrups are thick, transparent and have a taste and smell characteristic of the drug.
These dosage forms are taken orally and are very popular in pediatrics for the “sweetening” of children's medicines. Usually the therapeutic effect of taking the syrup exceeds that of tablets. They should be stored in containers with tightly screwed caps in a cool, dark place. The shelf life of syrup from a pharmacy is at least two years.
Solutions
This dosage form is completely transparent and sterile. The introduction of solutions is associated with a puncture of the skin. This medication is made in the form of a syringe tube, ampoules or vial (glass or polyethylene). If the volume of the solution exceeds 100 ml, it is called "infusion". Such agents are usually injected into the veins through a dropper. These can be solutions for hemodynamics, adjusting the balance of water and salts, detoxification, parenteral nutrition. There are also a wide range of multifunctional agents. There is a certain rule: if you need to do a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, then you can use both solutions and suspensions of a transparent type. Exceptionally transparent homogeneous solutions are allowed to be administered intravenously.
Solutions are usually prepared by diluting a liquid, solid or gaseous component in a solvent. This product should be transparent and uniform, the presence of flakes, precipitation, and suspended matter is unacceptable. In order to filter the solution, special paper or filters are used, folded into a glass funnel on a stand.
Most often, water is used as a solvent. If the solution is intended for injection, then it must be sterile, if external use is meant, then boiled is also suitable. If the medicinal substance does not dissolve in water, then ethanol or ether or oils can be used as a solvent (for injection purposes, castor, sunflower, externally - fish oil). Therefore, the solutions themselves are divided into alcohol, water, oil or ether.
There are also solutions intended for external use (for wounds, mucous membranes, skin, etc.) and for internal use. They are uniform and transparent. Such products are available in bottles with a stopper in the form of a dropper, which is closed by screwing.
Storage of solutions is carried out in the refrigerator or at room temperature. This is usually described in the instructions for the drug.
Decoctions and infusions
These dosage forms are aqueous extracts from medicinal plants or solutions of dry or liquid extract. Most often they are used inside. The production of liquid dosage forms in the form of a decoction or tincture is usually carried out in a ratio of 1:10, that is, 10 g of product is obtained from 1 g of plant material. Given the absorption coefficient of moisture, you need to take a little more water. If an infusion is prepared from valerian or adonis, the proportion is 1:30. In the case of plants with a potent component, a ratio of 1: 400 is applied.
If a concentrate is used, then it is taken in the volume of the component by prescription.
The manufacturing technology of the infusion and broth is as follows:
- chopped medicinal raw materials are poured with water at room temperature;
- the mixture is insisted on a water bath with continuous stirring 15 (for infusion) or 30 minutes (for decoction);
- cooled to room temperature;
- filter;
- add water to the desired volume.
Decoctions of plants containing tannins (oak, lingonberries, bearberry, etc.) should be filtered hot, and from hay leaves - only as they cool completely. Infusions should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days and shaken before use.
Drops
By this term is meant solutions, emulsions or suspensions that need to be dosed in drops. They are for internal ("Nitroglycerin") or for external (nasal, ophthalmic, ear) use.
On the bottle, the manufacturer usually installs a dispenser in the form of a droplet, which allows you to measure the right amount of medicine. The latter should be stored in a cool place without access to light.
Emulsions
These drugs are two insoluble liquids, one of which is the active substance (balm or oil), and the other is water. In appearance, the emulsions are homogeneous and opaque. They can be used orally, externally or parenterally. If these liquid dosage forms (the preparation of which every pharmacist knows) were made in a pharmacy, then their shelf life in the refrigerator is a couple of days. Industrial analogues retain their properties unchanged for up to 1.5 years.
Bathtubs
As auxiliary procedures accompanying the main treatment, doctors can prescribe a bath with special aqueous solutions. They have a directed effect on the body: they relax, strengthen, tone up or fight bacteria. For the procedures, extracts of various plants or mineral components can be used. The most popular baths are from pine needles, lavender, as well as oxygen or thermal baths.
Tinctures
Often used for treatment and these liquid dosage forms. Their characteristic is as follows: they can be colored and have a characteristic aroma. Tincture is made by alcohol extraction of a medicinal plant component. You can take them externally or orally, diluting with water or dripping on sugar. The shelf life of them is longer than that of infusions and decoctions.
However, the tincture bottle should be tightly closed and stored in the refrigerator without access to light. During storage, sediment may precipitate, so it is necessary to shake the product before use.
Suspensions
The manufacture of liquid dosage forms in the form of a suspension is reduced to the distribution of powder components in a liquid medium (oil, water, glycerin, etc.). They can be taken orally, externally, parenterally or intramuscularly. Shake the suspension immediately before use for 1 or 2 minutes. They should be stored in the refrigerator without access to light. Suspension freezing is considered unacceptable.
The choice of liquid medications is really great. Sometimes this form of medication is a necessary measure. For example, children are much more likely to drink sweet syrup than a nasty pill. In addition, it is scientifically proven that this form of medication works more efficiently than its solid counterpart. The most important thing when treating with liquid drugs is to follow the doctor’s instructions, instructions, store correctly and not use after the expiration date. If you decide to try herbal infusions, decoctions, tinctures or extracts, make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to the components of the product. For children prone to manifestations of dermatitis, manufacturers produce syrups and emulsions without sugar, so kids should choose these drugs. Be healthy!