Simple Pharmanotes

Definition A suspension is biphasic system in which a dispersed state is solid while continuous phase is liquid (oily/aqueous), the system is stabilized by addition of “Suspending agent.” Most pharmaceutical suspensions are aqueous in nature. Advantages Suspensions offer distinct advantages they are as follows: 1. Stability : Some drugs are not stable in solution form. In such cases it is necessary to prepare an insoluble form of that drug. Therefore drugs are administered in the form of suspension. e.g. Procaine Penicillin G. 2. Choice of solvent : If the drug is not soluble in water and solvents other than water are not acceptable, suspension is the only choice. e.g. Parenteral corticosteroid. 3. Mask the taste; In some cases drugs are made insoluble and dispensed in the form of suspension to mask the objectionable taste. e.g. Chloramphenicol base is very bitter in taste, hence the insoluble chloramphenicol palmitate is used which does not have the bi...

What is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused due to bacteria of Mycobacterium species e.g. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (Humans). Mycobacterium bovis. (animals). Mycobacterium avium complex. (Extra pulmonary tuberculosis). Usually tuberculosis affects respiratory system as it spreads through air. It attacks apex part of lungs and starts to grow there causing necrosis of affected area. The affected area is called as “tubercle” becomes radio-opaque during X-Ray examinations. Due to caused infection, the destructed alveoli tissues shows inflammation and cause irritation leading to cough (most common symptom) followed with hyperpyrexia. What are symptoms of Tuberculosis? Persistent cough for three or more weeks. Hyperpyrexia at evening which disappears at night following profuse sweating. Blood in sputum. Excessive phlegm production. Weakness with chest pain. Weight loss. Diagnosis of Tuberculosis: Monteux Test. Sputum Test. chest X-Ray...

CoTrimoxazole is a rational combination of two antifolate drugs, Pyrimidine Analogue : Trimethoprim. Sulfonamide: Sulfamethoxazole. used in treatment of various diseases where alone drug fails. CoTrimoxazole name itself indicates “ CO mbination of TRIM ethoprim and Sulfameth OXAZOLE ”. This combinations offers “Synergistic Effect” hence the benefit is more than used alone. Mechanism of Action: These drugs attack the bacterial folic acid synthesis pathway at different steps and prevent bacterial folic acid synthesis leading to a “ Bactericidal Effect ”. Sulfamethoxazole inhibits bacterial enzyme “ Folate Synthtase ”  and prevents formation of “ Dihydrofolic acid from PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid). Trimethoprim inhibits bacterial enzyme “Dihydrofolate Reductase” and prevents conversion of “Dihydrofolic acid to Tetrahydrofolic acid.”. Dose Combination: This is a fixed dose combination that comes in 1:5 ratio of Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole i.e. 80 mg of...

Definition: Ointments are semisolid preparations for application to the skin or mucosae. The ointment bases are almost always anhydrous and generally contains one or more medicaments in suspension or solution. Characteristics of an ideal ointment : 1.        It should be chemically and physically stable. 2.        It should be smooth and free from grittiness. 3.        It should melt or soften at body temperature and be easily applied. 4.        The base should be non-irritant and should have no therapeutic action. 5.        The medicament should be finely divided and uniformly distributed throughout the base. Classification of ointments According to their therapeutic properties based on penetration of skin.   (a) Epidermic, (b) Endodermic, (c) Diadermic (a) Epidermic ointments These ointments ...