Solution

PHRM 210
 Solution
• A solution is a clear, homogenous mixture that
is prepared by dissolving a solid, liquid or gas
in another liquid.

• A solution is a homogenous one-phase system

consisting of two or more components
 Solution
• The component of a solution present in large
amount is known as ‘solvent’ and the
component present in lesser amount is known
as ‘solute’.
• Exception: Syrup BP contains 66.7% w/w of
sucrose as the solute in 33.3% of water as the
solvent.
 Solution
• The solvent, or mixture of solvents, is the
phase in which the dispersion occurs, and the
solute is the component which is dispersed as
molecules or ions in the solvent.
• Solutions of gases in liquids are characteristic
of aerosols, in which the propellant gas is
dispersed or dissolved in the solvent under
pressure.
 Advantages
• They are homogenous, therefore the
medicament is uniformly distributed through
the liquid. In suspension or emulsion
formulations uneven dosage can occur as a
result of phase separation on storage.

• The dose can be easily adjusted according the

need of the patient.
 Advantages
• Quick onset of action compared to tablet and
capsule, because they are already in solution
form and absorption starts quickly.

• Children or patients who cannot swallow

tablets or capsules can easily ingest solutions.
 Advantages
• Some drugs, including aspirin and potassium
chloride, can irritate and damage the gastric
mucosa, particularly if localized in one area, as
often occurs after the ingestion of a solid
dosage form. Irritation is reduced by the
administration of a solution of a drug because
of the immediate dilution by the gastric
contents.
 Disadvantages
• Liquids are bulky. They are difficult to carry
and store and there are chances of breakage
of container with the complete loss of
contents.
• The taste of a drug, which is usually
unpleasant, is always more pronounced when
in solution than in a solid form. Solutions can,
however, easily be sweetened and flavoured
to make them more palatable.
 Disadvantages
• They are less stable as compared to solid
dosage forms because deterioration is faster
in solutions. The shelf-life of a liquid dosage
form is often much shorter than that of the
corresponding solid preparation. Not only is
the stability of the drug important, but also
that of other excipients, such as surfactants,
preservatives, flavours and colours.
 Disadvantages
• Solutions often provide suitable media for the
growth of microorganisms and may therefore
require the incorporation of a preservative.
• Most liquid preparations are designed so that
the normal dosage of the drug is present in 5
mL, or a multiple of 5 mL, of product. Accurate
dosage depends on the ability of the patient
to use a 5 mL spoon or a volumetric dropper.
 Classification
Solutions are classified into two groups-
• Solutions intended for internal administration,
for example, mixtures, syrups, linctuses and
elixirs.
• Solutions intended for external administration,
for example, gargles, mouthwashes, nasal drops,
eye drops, ear drops, lotions, throat paints, etc.
 Solubility
• Intermolecular forces which are developed
between like molecules are responsible for the
physical state of the substance under given
conditions such as temperature and pressure.

• Most organic compounds, hence drugs under

ordinary conditions form molecular solids.
 Solubility
• When a solute dissolve, the substance
intermolecular force of attraction must be
overcome by force of attraction between the
solute and solvent molecules.

• This involves breaking of solute-solute forces

and the solvent-solvent forces to achieve the
solute-solvent attraction.
 Factors effecting the solubility
• Temperature
• Chemical and physical properties of both
solute and solvent
• Pressure
• Acidity or basicity of the solution
• State of subdivision
• Agitation
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Water
• Suitable for drinking.
• Most widely used as a vehicle for
pharmaceutical products, because of its
physiological compatibility and lack of toxicity.
• It is a highly polar solvent, which is essential
for ensuring the dissolution of a wide range of
ionizable materials.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Purified water BP
• Purified water is obtained by distillation, ion-
exchange treatment, reverse osmosis.
• It is free from solid impurities, when
evaporated to dryness, it must not yield
greater than 0.001% of residue.
• Used microorganism and salt is undesirable.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Cosolvency
• The solubility of a weak electrolyte or non-
polar compound in water can often be
improved by altering the polarity of the
solvent.
• This can be achieved by the addition of
another solvent that is both miscible with
water and in which the compound is also
soluble.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Cosolvency
• Vehicles used in combination to increase the
solubility of a drug are called cosolvents, and
often the solubility in this mixed system is
greater than can be predicted from the
material's solubility in each individual solvent.
• The most widely used system is a
water/ethanol blend.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Cosolvency
• Other suitable solvents for use with water
include sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol and
syrup.
• For example, a blend of propylene glycol and
water is used to improve the solubility of co-
trimoxazole, and paracetamol.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Alcohol
• Next to water alcohol is most useful solvent.
• Mostly used for organic solutes.
• Together with water it forms hydroalcholic
solution, this mixtures dissolves both alcohol
soluble and water soluble drugs.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Diluted alcohol
• Dilute alcohol is made of by preparing equal
volumes of both alcohol and water.
• Used as hydroalcholic solution for various
pharmaceutical preparations.
 Some solvents for the oral preparations

Glycerin (glycerol)
• It is a clear syrupy liquid with a sweet taste.
• It is miscible with water and alcohol.
• As solvent it is comparable with alcohol, but
due to its viscosity, solutes are slowly soluble
in it unless rendered less viscous by heating.
• Glycerin has preservative qualities.
 Preparation of solutions
Simple solution
• Simple solutions are prepared by dissolving
the solute in a suitable solvent. Solute is mixed
until dissolved, then solvent is added to bring
the solution up to the proper volume.
• The solvent may contain other ingredients
which stabilize or solubilize the active
ingredients.
 Preparation of solutions
Example:
- Calcium hydroxide topical solution (lime
water)
- Sodium phosphates oral solution,
- Strong iodine solution.
 Preparation of solutions
Solution by chemical reaction
• These solution are prepared by reacting two
or more solutes with each other in suitable
solvent.
• Example: Aluminum subacetate topical
solution. (Prepared from Aluminium sulfate,
Acetic acid and Calcium carbonate)

Aluminum subacetate
 Preparation of solutions
Solution by extraction
• Drugs or pharmaceuticals necessities of
vegetable origin often are extracted with
water or with water containing substances.
• Preparations of this type may be classified as
solutions, but, more often, are classified as
extract.
 Syrups
• Syrups are concentrated aqueous solutions of
sugar or sugar-substitute with or without
added flavoring agent and medicinal agent.
• The concentration of sugar is 66.7% w/w.
 Syrups
• When purified water alone is used in making
the solution of sucrose, the preparation is
known as syrup or simple syrup.
• The syrups containing medicinal substances
are called ‘medicated syrup’ and
• Those containing aromatic or flavored
substances are known as ‘flavored syrup’.
 Syrup
• For example:
Codeine phosphate syrup- cough
suppressant
Orange syrup- flavoring agent
• Syrups provide a pleasant means of
administrating a liquid form of a disagreeable
tasting drug especially in the children.
 Syrup
• Advantages
Syrup retards oxidation
Acts as a preservative
They are palatable

• Disadvantages
Crystallization
Dilute solution spoiled by bacteria and yeast
 Retardation crystallization
• In addition to sucrose, certain other polyols,
such as glycerin, sorbitol or other polyhydric
alcohols may be added in small quantities to
retard crystallization of sucrose or to increase
the solubility of other added ingredients.
 Preservation of syrup
• Only small quantities of syrups should be
prepared which can be used with in a few
months.
• If large quantities are to be prepared then
they must be preserved well to prevent
contamination.
 Preservation of syrup
• Syrups can be well preserved at a temperature
not exceeding 250c.
• In dilute solutions preservatives like glycerin,
methyl paraben, benzoic acid and sodium
benzoate may be added.
 Mixtures and Draughts
• A mixture is a liquid (aqueous) preparation
intended for oral administration in which drug
or drugs are dissolved or suspended in a
suitable vehicle. So a mixture can be a solution
or a suspension. Generally, several doses are
dispensed in a bottle.
• In case, a bottle contains one dose, it is called
draught.
 Mixtures and Draughts
• Mixtures are not prepared to keep them for a
long period because they are mainly
prescribed for acute conditions like cough,
indigestion, diarrhea, constipation etc. So the
mixtures should be extemporaneously
prepared and supplied only for small no. of
doses which can be used up with in a short
period. Incase further need arises, then a
fresh mixture is prepared for the patient.
 Mixtures and Draughts
Example:
• Mixture- Aluminium hydroxide mixture
• Draughts- Paraldehyde draught
 Mixtures and Draughts
• Mixtures differ from solutions that the
mixtures may be homogenous or
heterogeneous and are for oral administration
whereas solutions are homogenous and are
for external or internal use.
 Elixir
• The terms mixture and elixir are often
confused, although an elixir is strictly a
solution of a potent or nauseous drug.
• Elixirs are clear, sweetened, aromatic,
hydroalcoholic (5-40%) liquids intended for
oral use.
 Mouthwashes and gargles
• Aqueous solutions for the prevention and
treatment of mouth and throat infections can
contain antiseptics, analgesics and/or
astringents.
• They are usually diluted with warm water
before use.
 Throat paint
• Throat paints are viscous liquid preparations
used for mouth and throat infections.
• Glycerin is commonly used as a base because
being viscous, it adhere to mucous membrane
for a long time. It also provide sweet taste to
the preparation.