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Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PA20285: Medicines design 1: liquid and semisolid pharmaceutical dosage forms

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: EX100
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take PA10281
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To learn about liquid and semisolid dosage forms, their manufacturing process and their use in drug therapy.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit the student will be able to:
1. Explain the concepts of solubility, dissolution and dissolution rate and illustrate their relevance in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Formulate and contrast the methods used to solubilise drugs.
2. Explain the phenomena of surface and interfacial tension, wetting, and adsorption. Illustrate their relevance in pharmaceutical technology.
3. Explain what surfactants and polymers are and their use in pharmaceutical technology. Explain and apply the concepts of HLB and critical micellar concentration. List the most commonly used surfactants and polymers. Contrast their advantages and limitations.
4. Explain the concepts of osmolarity and isotonicity and their application in pharmaceutical dosage forms.
5. Explain the phenomena of rheology. Illustrate its relevance in pharmaceutical dosage forms.
6. Explain the technological process involved in the formulation of emulsions, suspensions and ointments and evaluate the critical parameters involved in their stability.
7. Contrast microemulsion, liposome and gel pharmaceutical formulations. List the most commonly used excipients, and the critical parameters involved in the production, stability, safety and efficacy.
8. Contrast the different liquid and semi-solid dosage forms used in pharmacy. List the most commonly used excipients and the critical parameters involved in the production, stability, safety and efficacy of liquid and semi-solid dosage forms. Explain the requirements and tests that each type of dosage form must met and relate them to their performance and route of administration (oral, ophthalmic, parenterals).

Skills:
1. Scientific and practical skills
2. Planning and organization
3. Working with others
4. Problem solving and data analysis
5. Handling information
6. Analytical thinking
7. Professional skills
All taught and assessed.

Content:
1. Solubility, dissolution and dissolution rate. Methods for drug solubilisation: co-solvents, cyclodextrins, surfactants. Revison: pH-pKa: salt-formation and pH of precipitation.
2. Surface and interfacial tension. Wetting and adsorption phenomena. Tensio-actives and their properties. Concept of critical micellar concentration and HLB and their application.
3. Pharmaceutical polymers.
4. Osmolarity and isotonicity. Adjustment of isotonicity
5. Concept of rheology. Rheological properties of liquid and semi-solid dosage forms
6. Pharmaceutical disperse and colloidal systems (emulsions, suspensions, microemulsions, liposomes, gels). Other semisolid forms (ointments, pastes).
7. Pharmaceutical liquid and semisolid dosage forms. Their use for the parenteral, oral, ophthalmic and otic routes of drug delivery.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PA20285 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.