Examples of Suspension Preparations

Example 1 Kaolin and Morphine Mixture BP

Master Formula

Scaled Formula

150ml
Light Kaolin
30g

2g

Sodium Bicarbonate
7.5g

500mg

Chloroform and morphine tincture

0.4ml

Water
150ml

to 10ml

6ml
to

Actions and Uses: As an adjunct to fluid replacement in treatment of acute

diarrhea
Formulation Notes: Light Kaolin is a diffusible solid, therefore no suspending
agent is required
Method of Preparation: Weigh the light kaolin and place in the mortar. Dissolve
the sodium bicarbonate in about 100ml of water. Gradually add this to the light
kaolin in the mortar with missing to disperse the solid. Add the chloroform and
morphine tincture. Was the mixture into a tared, amber medicine bottle, and make
up to the volume with water. Seal with a child-resistant closure. Polish and label the
bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine.
Shelf-life and storage: Store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared (unless
the kaolin has been sterilized), therefore a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is applicable.
Advice and labeling: Shake well before use. The usual dose is 10ml every 4
hours in water. The importance of rehydration therapy should be stressed to the
patient.

Example 2 Chalk Mixture, Paediatric BP. Mitte 100ml

Master Formula

Scaled Formula

100ml
Chalk
2g

100mg

Tragacanth
200mg

10mg

Syrup
10ml

0.5ml

Concentrated cinnamon water

0.02ml

0.4ml

Double strength chloroform water

2.5ml

50ml

Water
100ml

to 5ml

to

Actions and Uses: As an antidiarrhoeal mixture for children, in addition to fluid

replacement
Formulation notes: Chalk is practically insoluble in water and is an undiffusable
solid which requires a suspending agent. Tragacanth powder is used in this
formulation. The concentrated cinnamon water is a flavoring agent and the syrup
increase the viscosity as well as acting as a sweetener. Chloroform water is the
preservative.
Method of preparation: The chalk and tracaganth should be weighed and lightly
mixed in a morter and pestle. Add the syrup and mix to make a paste. The double
strength chloroform water should be gradually added, with mixing, followed by the
concentrated cinnamon water. The mixture should be rinsed into a previously tared
100ml amber medicine bottle and made up to the volume with water. Shake the
suspension well and seal with a child resistant closure. Polish and label the bottle
and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine

Shelf life and storage: store in a cool, dry place. It is freshly prepared, therefore a
shelf life of 1 week is applicable.
Advice and labeling: Shake well before use. Advice on the importance of fluid
replacement using oral rehydration sachets should be given if necessary.

Example 3 Sipronolactone suspension 15mg/5ml. Sig.5ml. t.d.s. Mitte 100ml.

For a 4-year-old child.

Master Formula

Scaled

Formula 100ml
Sipronolactone
Compound orange spirit
Cologel
Water

q.s. (sufficient quantity)

0.2%
20%
to 100%

300mg
0.2ml
20ml
to 100ml

Actions and Uses: A potassium-sparing diuretic usedin oedema of heart failure

and nephrotic syndrome
Formulation Notes: Spironolactone is practically insoluble in water. Cologel
(methylcellulose) acts as the suspending agent. Compound orange spirit is a
flavoring agent.
Method of preparation: Tablets may be used and sufficiently crushed in a mortar
and pestle to give 300mg spironolactone (e.g. 6X50mg tablets). Alternatively, weigh
the powder and transfer to a mortar and pestle. Add to cologel and mix to a past.
Gradually add some of the water. Add the compound orange spirit. Rinse the
suspension into a tared, amber medicine bottle and make up to volume with water.
Polish and label the bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine.
Shelf life and storage: It is recently prepared with a shelf life of 4 weeks when
stored in a refrigerator. Sipronolactone should be protected from light.
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Advice and labeling: Shake well before use and give one 5ml spoonful three
times a day. Reinforce the storage conditions.

Example 4 Menthol and Eucalyptus inhalation BP 1980 Mitte 100ml

Master Formula
Menthol

2g

Eucalytpus oil

10ml

Light magnesium carbonate

7g

Water

to 100ml

Actions and Uses: For the relief of nasal congestion

Formulation notes: Light magnesium carbonate has a large surface area and is
used to adsorb the volatile ingredients which helps to ensure a uniform dispersion.
Menthol is freely soluble in fixed and volatile oils, so will dissolve in the eucalyptus
oil.
Method of Preparation: Grind the menthol to a fine powder in a glass mortar and
pestle and add the eucaplytus oil, which will dissolve in the menthol. Gradually add
the light magnesium carbonate to the mortar and mix well. Add the water gradually
to produce a pourable suspension; this may take a while to achieve. Rinse into a
tared, amber ribbed bottle and make up to volume. Seal with a child-resistant
closure.
Shelf life and storage: store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared, therefore
a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is applicable.
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Advice and labeling: Shake well before use and Not to be taken. The patient
should be told to add 1 teaspoonful to 1 pint of hot, not boiling, water. A towel
should be placed over the head and bowl and the vapor inhaled for 5-10 minutes.
Patients should be aware of the potential danger of scalding to themselves and
others, particularly small children.
Notes: Suspensions are useful formulations for inhalations. The volatile
components are adsorbed onto the surface of a diffusible solid to ensure uniform
dispersion throughout the liquid. When hot water is added, the oils vaporize.

Example 5 200ml Calamine Lotion BP

Master Formula
Calamine

15g

Scaled Formula 200ml

30g

Zinc Oxide

5g

10g

Bentonite

3g

6g

Sodium Citrate

500mg

1g

Liquified Phenol

0.50ml

1ml

Glycerol
Water

5ml

10ml

to 100ml

to 200ml

Actions and Uses: As a cooling lotion for sunburn or skin irritation and pruritis
Formulation Notes: Calamine is a colored zinc carbonate and is practically
insoluble in water, as is zinc oxide. Both are indiffusible solids. Sodium citrate is
added to control the flocculation of calamine. Bentonite is a thickening agent,
glycerol will thicken the product and will help powder adherence to the skin.
Liquified phenol acts as a preservative and antiseptic.
Method of preparation: The dry powders should be weighed and mixed in a
mortar so that the bentonite is well distributed. Add the glycerol to the powders and
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mix. The sodium citrate is dissolved in about 140ml of water, and gradually added
to the mixture in the mortar, so that a smooth paste is produced. Add the liquefied
phenol, taking care not to splash as it is caustic. Transfer the mixture to a tared,
amber ribbed glass bottle, adding washings from the mortar, and make up to
volume. Seal with a child resistant closure.
Shelf life and Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared, therefore
a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is applicable.
Advice and Labeling: For external use only, Shake well before use, and Do not
apply to broken skin. The lotion should be applied to the affected areas when
required and allowed to dry.