In pharmacies, we see thousands of different drugs every day. Tablets, sprays, syrups, suspensions… This variety just makes my head spin. Which is better: solid or liquid dosage forms? What is the peculiarity of medicines in vials? Let's take a closer look at what is hidden in these mysterious liquids.
What are these drugs for?
Liquid dosage forms have a wide range of applications. Often they are used as an internal remedy, less often - external. These drugs are available in special glass containers.
They treat colds and eye diseases, coughs and gastrointestinal ailments, and some medicinal liquids are used in the process of complex surgical interventions.
What are they like?
In order for the user to clearly distinguish one type of medicine in a 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;
- baths;
- tinctures;
- suspensions.
Each of the types has specific uses. Let's take a closer look at these liquid dosage forms.
Potions
This form of medication is a powder or liquid. They are usually dissolved in water. Liquid medicine includes solutions of s alts, extracts, syrups and fragrant waters. These liquid dosage forms are made on the basis of individual need by prescription in pharmacies. They are stored for no more than five days.
Dry potions are sold as a powder, which is brought to the desired volume with water at home. Such drugs 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 used: first, rubbing of substances that dissolve most easily. Then begin to introduce pre-homogenized poorly soluble components. Plant materials are initially ground into powder with the addition of water.
If it is required to add an alcohol tincture to the aqueous solution in the composition of the medicine, then it is recommended to do this in small portions to prevent precipitation.
Extracts
The peculiarity of these products is that the technology for manufacturing liquid dosage forms is reduced to the extraction of useful substances from medicinal herbs into a solvent and subsequentits concentration. Extracts are divided into three types:
- liquid dispensed by volume;
- dry (they are loose, the proportion of water is not more than 5%), usually included in the composition of tablets;
- thick (viscous in consistency, the proportion of water is no more than 25%).
Extracts can be applied internally or externally. They are stored for up to five years in a package 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 the 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 "sweetening" children's medicines. Usually, the therapeutic effect of taking syrup is superior to that of tablets. Store them in a container with a tightly screwed lid in a cool, dark place. Pharmacy syrup has a shelf life of at least two years.
Solutions
This dosage form is absolutely transparent and sterile. The introduction of solutions is associated with a puncture of the skin. This medication is produced in the form of a syringe tube, ampoules or vial (made of glass or polyethylene). If the volume of the solution exceeds 100 ml, it is called "infusion". These agents are usually administered into a vein throughdroppers. These can be solutions for hemodynamics, adjusting the balance of water and s alts, detoxification, parenteral nutrition. There are also a wide range of multifunctional agents. There is a certain rule: if it is necessary to make a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, then both solutions and suspensions of a transparent type can be used. Only 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 tool must be transparent and homogeneous, the presence of flakes, precipitation, suspensions 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 intended, then boiled is also suitable. If the medicinal substance is not soluble in water, then ethyl alcohol or ether or oils (for injection purposes - castor, sunflower, externally - fish oil) can be used as a solvent. Therefore, the solutions themselves are divided into alcohol, water, oil or ether.
There are also solutions intended for external (on wounds, mucous membranes, skin, etc.) and internal use. They are homogeneous and transparent. Such funds are produced in bottles with a stopper in the form of a dropper, which closes with a screw.
Solutions are stored 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 the product is obtained from 1 g of plant material. Taking into account the moisture absorption coefficient, water needs to be taken a little more. If an infusion is prepared from valerian or adonis, the proportion is 1:30. In the case of using 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 according to the recipe.
The technology for making infusion and decoction is as follows:
- medicinal raw materials in crushed form are poured with water at room temperature;
- the mixture is insisted on a water bath with continuous stirring for 15 (for infusion) or 30 minutes (for decoction);
- cool to room temperature;
- filter;
- add water to the desired volume.
Decoctions of plants containing tannins (oak, lingonberry, 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
Under this termrefers to solutions, emulsions or suspensions that need to be dosed in drops. They are available internally ("Nitroglycerin") or externally (nasal, ocular, ear) use.
On the bottle, the manufacturer usually installs a dispenser in the form of a dropper, which allows you to measure the right amount of medicine. The latter should be stored in a cool place away from light.
Emulsions
These preparations are two insoluble liquids, one of which is the active ingredient (balm or oil), and the other is water. The appearance of the emulsion is homogeneous and opaque. They can be used orally, topically or parenterally. If these liquid dosage forms (whose recipes 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 up to 1.5 years.
Baths
As ancillary procedures accompanying the main treatment, doctors may prescribe a bath with special aqueous solutions. They have a directed effect on the body: relax, strengthen, tone or fight bacteria. For procedures, extracts of various plants or mineral components can be used. The most popular baths are made 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 dyed andhave a characteristic aroma. The tincture is made by alcoholic extraction of the medicinal plant component. They can be taken externally or internally, diluted with water or dripping on sugar. Their shelf life is longer than that of infusions and decoctions.
However, the bottle of tincture should be tightly closed and stored in the refrigerator out of light. Precipitation may occur during storage, so shake before use.
Suspensions
The production of liquid dosage forms in the form of a suspension is reduced to the distribution of powdered components in a liquid medium (oil, water, glycerin, etc.). They can be taken orally, topically, parenterally or intramuscularly. Shake the suspension for 1 or 2 minutes immediately before use. They should be stored in the refrigerator without access to light. Freezing suspensions is considered unacceptable.
The choice of liquid medicines is really great. Sometimes this form of medication is a necessary measure. For example, children are much more likely to drink a sweet syrup than a nasty pill. In addition, it has been scientifically proven that this form of the drug works more efficiently than its solid counterpart. The most important thing in the treatment of liquid medicines is to follow the doctor's instructions, instructions, store correctly and do 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 composition of the product. For children prone to manifestations of dermatitis, manufacturers produce sugar-free syrups and emulsions, so kids should choose just such drugs. Stay he althy!
