DISPENSING LAB NOTES

Rx 1 - 13

Egr

Parts of a Prescription
1. Patients Info
2. Superscription
Rx symbol recipe, take thou
3. Inscription
a. Basis active ingredient serves as basis for
prescription
b. Adjuvant serves to aid the basis
c. Corrective used to correct undesirable properties of
the basis
d. Vehicle
4. Subscription instruction to the pharmacist
5. Transcription signa, instruction to the patient
6. Prescribers Info

Methods of Preparation:
a. Weighing most accurate; for potent substances
b. Block and Divide
PRESCRIPTION NO. 1A: SALICYLIC ACID FOOT POWDER
Therapeutic Use: Antifungal
Route of Administration: Topical/External
INGREDIENT

PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS

SOLUBILITY

USE

Salicylic acid

Beyond Use Date:

1. For non-aqueous liquids and solids not later than 25%
of the time remaining until products expiration or 6 months,
whichever is less
2. For water containing drugs 14 days at cool
temperature
3. Others intended duration of therapy or 30 days;
whichever is less

White
crystals
usually
fine
needles/fluffy
white pwdr

Sol.
in
alcohol,
slightly sol. in
water

Dermatological
problems;
analgesic

Benzoic Acid

White
flakes

Camphor

White crystals

Insol.
water

POWDERS intimate mixture of dry finely divided drugs or

substances that maybe intended for internal use

Menthol

Waxy, clear white

crystalline subs.

Slightly sol. in
water

Phenol

White or clear
acicular crystals

Starch

Irregular, angular
white masses or
fine pwdr

Types of Comminution:
a. Trituration use of mortar and pestle; grinding motion
b. Pulverization with Intervention use of mortar and
pestle; addition of solvent (ex. camphor and alcohol)
c. Levigation - addition of non-solvent/levigating agent to
form a paste
d. Mills and Pulverizer for large production
Blending Techniques:
a. Spatulation used to blend eutectic mixtures or
substances that liquefy
b. Trituration
c. Geometric dilution used to blend potent substances;
diluent is added portion by portion
d. Sifting use of a sieve; results to fluffy powder; for nonpotent materials
e. Tumbling for large scale production
Types of Powders:
A. Bulk Powder
Dusting powder
Used in bulk
No specific dosage strength
For internal (antacids) wide mouth bottle
For external use sifter bottle
B. Divided Powder
With controlled dosage
Also called paper tabs, chartulae, powder paper
Types of Paper Used:
a. Simple Bond Paper
No moisture resistance
Opaque
b. Vegetable Parchment
Onion skin, thin semi-opaque paper
With limited moisture resistance
c. Glassine
Transparent, frosted
With limited moisture resistance
d. Waxed
Transparent
Waterproof

crystalline

Topical
Antiseptic
in

Antimicrobial

Cooling effect

Antiseptic

Insol. in cold
water
and
alcohol

Filler, Binder

Procedure:
1. Triturate camphor, menthol and phenol.
2. Add salicylic acid then benzoic acid.
3. Add starch, portion by portion.
4. Pass through sieve #40.
Incompatibility:
Eutectic Mixture of Camphor and Menthol
Remedy: Add phenol.

PRESCRIPTION NO. 1B: CAMPHOR FOOT POWDER

Therapeutic Use: Antifungal
Route of Administration: Topical/External
INGREDIENT PHYSICAL
SOLUBILITY
CHARACTERISTICS
Calamine
powder

Pink pwdr

Camphor

White crystals

Talc

Very fine, white

crystalline pwdr

Starch

Irregular, angular
white masses or
fine pwdr

USE

Antipruritic

Insol. in water

Antimicrobial
Filler, diluent

Insol. in cold
water
and
alcohol

Stabilizer,
Filler, Binder

DISPENSING LAB NOTES: Rx 1 - 13

Procedure:
1. Triturate camphor in 1 drop of alcohol. (Pulverization with
intervention)
2. Add calamine, starch and talc.
3. Pass through sieve #40.
Computations:
Camphor0.08 parts
Calamine pwdr..8 parts
Starch.9.2 parts
Talc.30 parts

Therapeutic Use: Antibiotic

Route of Administration: Oral
Ingredients:
Sulfadiazine
Available in 500 mg tablet or 7.7 gr
Antibiotic
Sodium Bicarbonate
Increases solubility of sulfadiazine
Acetylsalicylic acid
Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic
To prevent gummy mass or hydrolyzation of ASA, double wrap
the prep.

8 parts calamine : 47.28 parts = x : 10 g

x = 1.69 g calamine powder
9.2 parts starch : 47.28 parts = x : 10 g
x = 1.95 g starch
30 parts talc : 47.28 parts = x : 10 g
x = 6.35 g talc
PRESCRIPTION NO. 2: Al Mg BULK POWDER (INTERNAL USE)
Therapeutic Use: Antacid
Route of Administration: Oral
PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS

USE

Fine,
white,
tasteless pwdr

odourless,

Procedure:
1. Triturate each ingredient separately.
2. Mix the powder by spatulation.
Incompatibility:
ASA and Sodium bicarbonate form a mass
Remedy: Do not triturate. Use spatulation method.
PRESCRIPTION NO. 5: CARBAMAZEPINE POWDER PACKET

Antacid

Aluminum
hydroxide
Magnesium
trisilicate

Procedure:
1. Crush and triturate the tablet.
2. Add sodium bicarbonate and triturate.
3. Add lactose and triturate.
4. Block and divide.

PRESCRIPTION NO. 4: SULFADIAZINE-ASPIRIN PAPER TAB

0.08 parts: total parts = x : 10 g

0.08 parts camphor : 47.28 parts = x : 10 g
x = 0.0169 g camphor

INGREDIENT

Egr

Antacid

Peppermint oil

Fragrant

Calcium
carbonate

Antacid,
Adsorbent

Procedure:
1. Triturate aluminium hydroxide.
2. Add magnesium silicate
3. Add calcium carbonate
4. Add peppermint oil until desirable scent.
5. Mix.
PRESCRIPTION NO. 3: SULFADIAZINE PAPER TAB
Therapeutic Use: Antibiotic
Route of Administration: Oral
Ingredients:
Sulfadiazine
Available in 500 mg tablet or 7.7 gr
Antibiotic
Sodium Bicarbonate
Increases solubility of sulfadiazine
Lactose
Diluent if amount of the AI is less than 2 gr or 130 mg
Corrective if amount of AI is greater than 2 gr or 130 mg

As corrective, amount of lactose is equal to amount of the

AI

Therapeutic Use: Anticonvulsant

Route of Administration: Oral
Ingredients:
Carbamazepine
Used as anticonvulsant
Even in solid dosage forms, it has stability problems
Decreased bioavailability caused by tablet hardening
Should be kept in a tightly closed container because it becomes
dehydrated when exposed to moisture, decreasing its
bioavailability
Recommended dose: 5 20 mg/kg.day
Lactose
Diluent
Procedure:
1. Triturate carbamazepine tablet and put in 30 mg packet.
2. Add lactose to make 300 mg.
3. Weigh to check final weight.
Computations:
Carbamazepine 100 mg/powder packet
100 mg carbamazepine + diluent (lactose) = 300 mg powder packet
Diluent = 200 mg lactose
100 mg packet = 100 mg/dose
Sig.: Take 1 pwdr packet q.i.d, p.c. & h.s.
Determine the prescribed dose (mg/kg/day)
a. 35 lbs patient
35 lbs x 1kg/2.2 lbs = 15.91 kg
100 mg/dose x 4 doses per day = 400 mg/day
400 mg per day / 15.91 kg = 25 mg/kg/day OVERDOSED
Amount of carbamazepine :
30 mg per packet
Available strength: 200 mg/tab
Ave wt./tab = 280 mg
200 mg : 280 mg/tab = 30 mg per packet : x
x = 42 mg crushed carbamazepine powder per packet

DISPENSING LAB NOTES: Rx 1 - 13

Egr

PRESCRIPTION NO. 6: ANALGESIC CAPSULE

PRESCRIPTION NO. 7: GELATIN PASTILLES
Ingredient

Amount

Pharmaceutical Use

Phenylsalicylate/Salol

0.325 g

ASA

0.163 g

Analgesic,
Antipyretic,
Anti-inflammatory

Antipyrine

0.163 g

Analgesic

Ingredient

Amount

Computed
Amount to make
5 pastilles

Pharmaceutical
Use

Gelatin

1.0 oz

4g

Emulsifying agent

Glycerin
Acacia
Aromatic
water/Peppermint
water
Color, q.s

2.5 oz.
2.0 oz
2.0 oz

2 mL
2g
2 mL

Solvent
Demulcent
Carminative and
flavoured vehicle

Antiseptic

M. Ft. cap no. 24

Sig. One capsule every 12 hours.

Colorant

M. Ft. Pastilles
Sig. One pastille when needed.

Physical Incompatibility:
Eutectic mixture of Phenylslicylate & Aspirin:
Disperse separately.
Eutexia when 2 components are mixed together that would
eventually liquefy. Eg. Camphor, Menthol, Thyrol
* ASA forms a damp pasty mass with antipyrine
Remedial measures:
-addition of adsorbent
-Superimposition
-Disperse separately
Method of preparation
1. Superimposition
2. Cap 0: ASA, Antipyrine
3. Cap 00: Salol
Compounding Procedure:
1. Triturate powders separately
2. Place antipyrine in the SMALL capsule
3. Place adsorbent layer
4. Add ASA in the SMALL capsule
5. Introduce salol in the BIG capsule and place small capsule
inside
Capsule Sizes

Compounding Procedure:
1. Triturate gelatin and acacia.
2. Mix the gelatin and acacia.
3. Add 2 m L of glycerine.
4. Add peppermint water.
5. Form into pastilles.

Route of Administration: Oral

GELATIN
-Stable in air when dried
-subject to microbial decomposition when moistened or in
solution
-suppository vehicles

ACACIA
-demulcent in the throat or stomach

GLYCERIN
-1.249 density
-preservative property
-humectant

PEPPERMINT OIL
-menthol
-flavoring, carminative, antiseptic, local anes.

Aromatic Water
-Cleared saturated aqueous solution of volatile oils which are
medicated in nature.

Peppermint has a digestive property, antinausea and

refreshing that is why it is an ideal flavorant for mouth and
throat preparations.

Beyond use date: One month after prep

DISPENSING LAB NOTES: Rx 1 - 13

PRESCRIPTION NO. 8: QUININE SULFATE PILLS

Ingredient

Amount

Quinine sulfate

Pharmaceutical Use

gr X

Egr

SORBITOL 70%
-suspending agent
-sweetener
-vehicle

SYRUP NF
-sweetener
-preservative
-vehicle
-flavorant

Beyond use date: 14 days after prep

Anti - infectives

M. Ft. pill no. X

Sig. One pill twice a day.

PRESCRIPTION NO. 10: DEXTROMETHORPHAN LOZENGES

Route of Administration: Oral

HARD LOZENGES

QUININE SULFATE
-Anti-Malaria
-darkens on exposure to light
-600mg every 8hours

Use geometric dilution

Advantage of Pills: Suitable for Extemporaneous
Compounding
Disadvantage of Pills: Does not mask the taste well
Beyond use date: 14 days after prep

Solid syrups of sugars made by heating sugar with other

ingredients and pouring the mixture in the mold
Will not disintegrate in the mouth but will erode or dissolve
over 5-10 min period
Requirement: low moisture content (.5-1.5%)

INGREDIENT

AMOUNT
PER DOSE

USE

Powdered Sugar

2.1 g

Vehicle,
sweetener

Light Corn Syrup

0.8 mL

Binder

Puriified Water

1.2 mL

Wetting
Agent,
Vehicle

Dextromethorphan

5 mg

Antitussive

Mint Extract

0.06 mL

Flavoring Agt

Food Color

qs

Colorant

PRESCRIPTION NO. 9: NYSTATIN POPSICLE

Ingredient

Nystatin

Amount

Computed
Amount for 2
popsicles

2,000,000
units
10 mL

4 mL

Sorbitol 70%
2 mL
Solution USP
Syrup NF
30 mL
6 mL
Purified
100 mL
20 mL
Water, qs ad
M. et Div. to make #10 popsicles
Sig. Eat one popsicle every 8 hours for thrush.

Pharmaceutical
Use

Anti-infectives
Sweet vehicle

M ft. 10 lozenges

Sweet vehicle

Compounding Procedure

Compounding Procedure:
1. Mix sorbitol, syrup and water.
2. Add 3 grams of gelatin, portion by portion.
3. Add nystatin.
4. Heat to dissolve the powders.
5. Seal using aluminium foil.
6. Put popsicle stick when half-frozen.
Route of Administration: Oral

NYSTATIN
-Antifungal
-100,000units, 4x a day
-pH: 4.5 -7

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a beaker and stir

until mixed well
Cover the mixture & heat on a hot plate at high setting until
the mixture boils & continue boiling for 2 mins
Uncover and remove from heat at 1410C
Do not stir the mixture until the temp is 1290C
Quickly add the AI, mint extract, food color and stir until well
mixed
Put small amounts of vegetable oil to the mold
Pour the melt into the molders
Cool, package and label

DISPENSING LAB NOTES: Rx 1 - 13

Egr

SUPPOSITORIES

Recommended pediatric dose: 10-15 mg/kg/day

Displacement value/Density factor of Aspirin = 1.1 (1.1 g of
aspirin will displace 1 g of cocoa butter)

solid dosage forms intended for insertion into the body

orifice where they melt, soften, dissolve & exert localized
and systemic effect

Local 1/3 upper portion of the rectum

Systemic 1/3 lower portion of the rectum

Computations:
Aspirin 100 mg
100 mg x 8 suppositories = 800 mg or 0.8 g

1.

Rectal - cylindrical, bullet shape; 32 mm (1 inch), 2

grams (adult) or 1g (children)

1.1 g of ASA : 1 g of cocoa butter = 0.8 g of ASA : x

x = 0.73 cocoa butter

2.

Urethral slender or pencil shape

Average weight of cocoa butter = 1.72 g* x 8

= 13.76 g 0.73 g of cocoa butter
= 13.03 g of cocoa butter for 8 suppositorites
(* average weight per suppository)

Example:
M. ft. suppositories #6 (+2 extra) = 8

Types

Male- 4 g 140mm (length) 3-6 mm diameter

Female- 2g 170mm (length)

MEDICATION STICKS

Use: dilatation of utherus, anti-infective agent, erectile

dysfunction
3.

Vaginal globular, oviform, coreshaped; 5g; anti-fungal,

anti-infective, contraceptive

convenient forms for administering topical medications

different sizes and shapes for application to different areas
of the body

Desirable Characteristics

Spreads easily without excessive - greasiness

Does not sweat, crumble or crack
Uniform, stable, and free from mottling

Suppository Bases
1. Cocoa Butter Theobroma oil, most
widely used
2. Witepool bases Contains natural saturated fatty acid chain
between C12 and C18
- Lauric acid

Bases
1. Melting bases soften at body temperature and spread the
drug-vehicle mixture over the skin
a. Opaque waxes, oils, PEGs
b. Clear - sodium stearate/glycerin mixtures
*if waxes and oils or plain polymers (PEGs) alone are used
topical effect

3. Wecobee base derived from coconut oil

3.

PRESCRIPTION NO. 11: ASPIRIN SUPPOSITORIES

Ingredient

Aspirin

Cocoa butter

Amount

100 mg

q.s.

Pharmaceutical Use

Analgesic, Antipyretic,
inflammatory

Valuable
for
suppositories

Anti-

making

Compounding Procedure
1. Weigh the AI and triturate in a mortar.
2. Reduce cocoa butter to smaller pieces.
3. Carefully heat a small portion of the base in a beaker on a warm
water bath until the base has turned to a fluid (approximately 55C
water bath).
4. Add the AI to the melted base and stir.
5. Add the remainder of the base in portion with stirring.
6. Pour the molten mixture into the frozen molder.
7. Allow the suppository to congeal.
8. Trim the excess material from the top of the mold using spatula
9. Carefully remove the suppository from
the mold cavities.
Wrap each suppositories in foil and place the in a suitable container.

Moisten bases - solid sticks which must be moistened to

become activated
- concentrated solution of the drug will be
present at the tip of the stick and, when
applied, will exert its effect topically

*Some ingredients added:

Vitamin E and A - emollient and
skin enhancement effects
Zinc Oxide, PABA, - sun block
Perfume oil - perfume sticks
Categories of Medication Stick (with sample formulations)
1. Soft-opaque

DISPENSING LAB NOTES: Rx 1 - 13

2.

Egr

OINTMENTS

Soft Clear

Ointment/Salve/Charisma
Semi-solid preparation intended for external application to skin
and mucous membrane
Characteristics
1. Free from grittiness
2. Becomes rancid with time
3. Easily spread
3.

Hard

Uses
1. Emollient skin pliable
2. Protective barrier
3. Vehicle for medication
Pacakging
1. Jars get ointment from the surface, do not dig for it will leave
greater surface area exposed
- Rancidity and growth of bacteria
2. Tubes - More preferred, less exposure

Counseling

Apply only to the involved area and not to surrounding skin

Apply liberally over the area
Apply as needed.
Clean the surface of the stick with clean tissue after use
Do not share this product with others because of the possibility
of transmitting infections

PRESCRIPTION NO. 12: MEDICATED STICK

Methyl salicylate
Menthol
Sodium stearate
Propylene glycol
Purified water

5.5
1.5
1.3
2.5
1.2

g
g
g Stiffening Agent
g
g

4 Types of Ointment Bases

Dispense 5 g medication stick.

Sig. Apply to painful areas of right elbow and arm t.i.d. prn pain.

1. Oleaginous Base Example: petrolatum, synthetic ester,

lanolin derivative

PROCEDURE:

2. Absorption Base Example: hydrophilic petrolatum, woolfat

(anhydrous lanolin)

1. Weigh/measure the ingredients.

2. Gently heat and melt the Sodium Stearate.
3. Mix the Purified Water with the Propylene Glycol and add to the
melted
Sodium Stearate.

3. Emulsion Base Example: Hydrophilic ointment and vanishing

cream (o/w); hydrous woolfat and cold cream (w/o)
4. Water Soluble base Example: PEG, Propylene glycol

4. Mix thoroughly, remove from heat and allow this base to cool
slightly.
5. Dissolve the Menthol in the Methyl Salicylate, add this solution
to the base
and mix thoroughly.
6. As the product begins to thicken, continue to mix and pour into
5 g stick containers.
7. Allow to harden at room temperature.

Methods of Preparation
1. Levigation Use of mortar and pestle
- Reduction to impalpable powder to reduce grittiness and to form
a very smooth nucleus

DISPENSING LAB NOTES: Rx 1 - 13

- Heat first the substance with high melting point like wax and
spermaceti using water bath before adding soft, oleaginous
material

PRESCRIPTION NO. 13A: BETAMETHASONE OINTMENT

INGREDIENT

ORIGINAL AMOUNT

Betamethasone
Diproprionate ointment

1g

PEG 400

2g

Distilled water

2g

Procedure
1. Levigate hydrocortisone powder with small hydrophilic petrolatum.
2. Geometrically incorporate the rest of petrolatum.
3. Add urea and paraben very gradually (6 g urea dissolve in 9 mL
water + 3 g paraben/ PG)
Remarks
Weight of hydrocortisone
Paraben or PG
Urea
Water

0.6 g
3.0 g
6.0 g
9.0 g_
18.6g
Weight of petrolatum= 60g-18.6g=41.4 g hydrophilic petrolatum

Urea - hard crystalline substance that is difficult to levigate to a fine

powder; dissolve in water before incorporation into the
ointment base
1g : 1.5mL water
6g x 1.5mL = 9 mL of water

Mitte 10 g
Sig. Apply to affected area 2x a day.

White petrolatum - hydrophilic petrolatum

- cannot absorb the water added

Procedure:
1.Triturate 1g Bethamethasone with PEG 400.
2. Add distilled water.
3. Place in a suitable container.
Remarks:
Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment- anti-inflammatory
PEG - Water Washable, Soluble in Water, Absorb/Contain water

PRESCRIPTION NO. 13B: HYDROCORTISONE OINTMENT

Ingredient

Original Amount

Hydrocortisone

0.6 g

Urea

6.0 g

White petrolatum, q.s. ad

60.0 g

Sig. Apply to affected area up to qid.

Hydrocortisone

0.6g

Anti-inflammatory,
antipruritic

Paraben or PG

3 g

Preservative

Urea

6g

Mild keratolytic,
hydrates skin

Purified water

9 mL

Solvent

Hydrophilic
petrolatum

Egr

2. Fusion use of heat

Vehicle, emollient

41.4
g

+ 3g preservative (due to the addition of water)

Methyl paraben
0.2 % of weight of the ointment
Propyl paraben
0.02 %
Propylene glycol
2-3%

0.12g
0.012g

2.868g
3.000g