pharmacy

In pharmaceutical terms, this refers to a heterogeneous system consisting of finely divided solid particles dispersed within a liquid vehicle. The solid particles, being insoluble in the dispersion medium, maintain their distinct identity. A common example includes certain antibiotic formulations where the active drug is not soluble in water, requiring shaking before administration to ensure uniform distribution of the medication.

The relevance of this type of formulation lies in its ability to deliver medications that are unstable or poorly soluble in solution form. Benefits include enhanced chemical stability of the drug, ease of administration, and the potential for taste masking, which is particularly important in pediatric formulations. Historically, these preparations have provided a crucial means of delivering a wide range of therapeutic agents, addressing limitations presented by other dosage forms.

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A pharmaceutical preparation of a solid dispersed in a liquid medium defines a system where insoluble drug particles are finely divided and distributed throughout a vehicle, typically water. This mixture appears cloudy or opaque due to the presence of these undissolved particles. An example includes amoxicillin formulations for oral administration where the active antibiotic is present as solid particles dispersed in a sweetened liquid.

The development of these systems allows for the delivery of medications that are unstable or insoluble in solution. They offer improved patient compliance through palatable formulations, particularly important in pediatric and geriatric populations. Historically, compounding pharmacies frequently prepared them extemporaneously, but now many are manufactured on a large scale to ensure consistent quality and dosing.

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