Powders, Advantages and Disadvantages

POWDERS

• A pharmaceutical powder is a mixture of finely divided drugs or chemicals in dry form. 
• Meant for both Internal and External Use.
• Available in crystalline or amorphous form.
• Particle size of powder plays an important role in physical, chemical and biological properties of the dosage forms.
• Relationship between Particle size and physiological properties are given below.
• ↓ Particle size = ↑ dissolution, absorption, and therapeutic effect (Because it will increase the surface area)   

                                   

Advantages of Powder:

1. can be used both Internally and Externally.
2. More stable than liquid dosage form.
3. A physician can prescribe a specific amount of powdered medicament depending upon the need of the patient.
4. chance of incompactibilites are less than liquid dosage form.
5. Rapid action because of increase in Surface area.
6. Easily dissolved in the body fluids due to smaller size of particle.
7. Easy to handle.
8. large quantity of powder can be easily administered to the patient orally by dissolving in suitable liquid.
9. Cheap and easily available.

Disadvantages of Powder:

1. Drugs having bitter, nauseous and unpleasant taste cannot be dispensed in powdered form.
2. Hygroscopic drugs cannot be dispensed in powder form.
3. The dispensing of powder is a time consuming.
4. Quantity less than 100mg cannot be weighed conventiently on dispensing balance.

Examples of Powder:

1. ORS Powder 

2. Camphor Menthol Eutetic mixture

ETC.