Powders

Powders are classified into 5 types:

1. Bulk Powder for Internal Use

Dispensed in bulk (When accuracy isn't imp.)
Contains several Doses
Not supplied in wide mouthed containers that permits easy removal of spoonful of powder
non potent substance are antacids and laxatives

Bentonite clay for upset stomach

2. Bulk powders for external use:

Examples :

>Snuffs > Dusting powder

>Insufflations >Dentrifices

3. Simple and compound powders for Internal use:

Individual dose is enclosed in paper
one or more than one ingredients may be used
minimum quantity should not be less than 100mg
Dispensing rules:- Weight material for one powder more than required, If procedure is in fraction which is not directly weighable, calculate and weight sufficient extra powder

A) Simple Powder:

Contains only one ingredient, either crystalline or amorphous form

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when in crystalline form

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reduced to fine powder

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weight it out

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divide into number of doses

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wrapped as individual dose

B) Compound Powder:

contains two or more than two substance

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mixed

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divide into individual dose

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dispense into each powder paper

solid unit dosage form
moulded from rice paper
used to enclose nauseous or disagreeable powder
available in different sizes for 0.2 to 1.5g of powder
also known as wafer capsules
hard to swallow soften by dipping in water then placed on the tounge and swallowed
after swallowing, cachet gets disintegrated and drug is released

5. Compressed Tablets:

powder moulded into tablets
they are flat, circular disc contains potent substance which is mixed with lactose, dextrose or some other solid diluent
apparatus used for compression of stainless steel or plastic with upper perforated plate
moulds are available in several sizes 30 - 250mg
50 to 250 tablets at a time
medicament and diluents -- finely powdered -- > stiff paste with 60% alcohol

powders into hole and then punched