sThey are pressurized dosage forms that upon actuation emit a fine dispersion of a liquid and/or solid

materials containing one or more active ingredients in a gaseous medium.

Consideration required in aerosols:

1. Proper function of the container and valve assembly.

2. The propellant.

3. Physical delivery of the medication in proper form.

Aerosol products may be designed to expel their contents as a fine mist, a coarse wet or dry spray, a
steady stream or a stable or fast breaking foam. The physical form of aerosol is depend on the intended
use: For inhalation therapy (like in treatment of asthma or emphysema) the product must be fine
liquid mist or as finely divided solid particles (< 6µm for respiratory bronchioles) and (< 2µm reach
alveolar ducts and alveoli). For dermatological purpose the particle size is coarser and less critical in
therapeutic efficacy.

Space sprays: are aerosols used to provide an airborne mist, the particle size of the released product
quite small below 50 µm.

Surface sprays: are aerosols which are intended to carry the active ingredients to a surface such as to
the skin.

Types of aerosols:

1. Inhalation aerosols: commonly known as metered dose inhalers (MDSIs), are intended to produce fine
particles or droplets for inhalation through the mouth and deposition in the pulmonary tree. The design
of system intended to release measured quantities of API with each actuation.

2. Nasal aerosols: commonly known as nasal MDIs, produce fine particles or droplets for delivery
through nasal vestibule and deposition in the nasal cavity.

3.Lingual aerosols: they are intended to produce fine particles or droplets for deposition on the surface
of the tongue.

4.Topical aerosols: produce fine particles or droplets for application to the skin.
Advantages of aerosols:
1. A portion of medication easily withdrawn from the package without contamination or exposure to the
remaining material.

2. Aerosol container protects medicinal agents from atmospheric oxygen , moisture and from light.

3. Topical medication may be applied in a uniform thin layer to the skin without touching the affected
area.

4. Physical form and P.S of the emitted product may be controlled by proper formulation and valve
control.

5. Aerosol process is a clean process requiring little or no wash up by the user.

6. Removal of dose without contamination.

7.Directly delivered to the affected area in a desired form.

8.Minimized manual contact with drug. Rapid response. Convenient, easy. Controlled and uniform
dosage by metered valves. No manual contact with patient.

DISADVANTAGES

1. Costly.

2.Difficulty in disposal.

3.Difficulty in formulation.

4.Q.C testing is complicated.

5.Cannot be subjected to heat

COMPONENTS

1.Aerosols consist of-

2. Propellant

3.Container

4.Valve and Actuator

5.Product concentrate
Product concentrate consists of API, Additives like suspending agent, antioxidant, aqueous
and non aqueous solvents, co solvent, emulsifying agents etc…

1.AEROSOL PROPELLEANT- Aerosol propellant is defined “as compressed gas or vapour in a

container which, upon release of pressure and expansion through a valve, carries another substance
from the container, known as aerosol; used for cosmetics, household cleaners, and so on; examples are
butanes, propane, nitrogen, fluorocarbons, and carbon dioxide”.

Propellants propel out the pressurised contents of a container.

Categories of Aerosol Propellants

A.Compressed Gases –
compressed gases which are used as propellants are nitrogen and carbon dioxide. These gases are inert
and are used to dispense the aerosol as a solid stream, wet spray, or foam. The gas is compressed in the
can, and it is the expansion of the compressed gas that gives the thrust or the force required to push out
the contents from the can. These Aerosol propellants occupy the head space above the liquid in the can
and when the valve is opened the gas pushes the liquid out of the can. This system has been used to
dispense food and non food products, to dispense the product in its original form as a semi solid. These
are used in the products like dental creams, hair preparations, ointments, and aqueous antiseptic and
germicidal aerosols and are useful in contact lens cleaner saline solution and barrier systems.

B.LQUIFIED GASES-

The Liquefied Gases used as propellants are very effective in dispersing the active ingredients in to a ine
mist or foam; depending on the form it is required.

Vvvvvvvvvv
/.These are relatively inert and non toxic and have the advantage that the pressure within the can
fremains constant. The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro fluorocarbons ( H F C s ) , and hydrocarbons
(HCs) are used. T h e chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) are nonflammable as
compared to hydrocarbons which are flammable.

The hydrocarbons are advantageous since they are less expensive and are environment friendly e.g.
propane or butanes.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in American-made

aerosols, but has allowed for a few uses. These are health and pharmaceutical products that represent
less than 1% of the US aerosol market. Even these uses are also in process of phase out as formulations
with non-CFC propellants and are approved as appropriate substitute.

Aerosols works on a basic principle of physics: a gas under adequate pressure turns into a liquid, and
when that pressure is relieved will expand and turns back into a gas. That process is called vaporisation.
Products are packaged in aerosol containers and the particular product is dissolved or suspended in
liquid solvent. A liquefied gas generally works as propellant and the propellant in its liquid state is very
often part of the solvent system.