MIXTURES

Mixtures are fluid preparations intended for

internal administration.
Simple Mixture: if the solute is soluble in the
vehicle (large fluid component of the mixture).
Compound Mixture: if the solute is insoluble or
dispersed in the vehicle.
Mixtures are used in acute cases such as cough,
indigestion, diarrhea, constipation for which
short period of treatment is adequate.
Classification of Mixtures
A. Simple mixtures.
B. Mixtures containing insoluble diffusible solids.
C. Mixtures containing insoluble in-diffusible solids.
D. Mixtures containing slightly miscible liquids.
E. Mixture containing precipitate forming liquids.
F. Miscellaneous mixtures.

Simple Mixtures
Those preparations containing soluble
ingredients e.g Iron Ammonium Citrate Mixture
(used in case of iron deficiency)
R/
Iron ammonium citrate. 0.3 gm
Tr. Nux Vomica...0.1 ml
Spirit Chloroform.0.1 ml
Aqua ad. 30 ml
Fait Mixture, Mitte ii
Sig. Fl.oz T.D.S.
N.B. Tincture Nux Vomica is tonic


Simple Mixtures
PROCEDURE:
Calculate the required weight and volume.
Dissolve iron ammonium citrate in of the
vehicle volume, noting that iron ammonium
citrate is added to vehicle and not the reverse.
Measure the liquid ingredients and add to iron
ammnium citrate solution.
Complete the volume to 60 ml with water.
Transfer to clean dry glass bottle and affix the
label.

Simple Mixtures
General Notes:
If solution is turbid, filter through cotton wool.
If large crystals are used, such as sodium sulphate
crystals, it should be powdered and dissolved in mortar.
Scale solids must be crushed on paper and added to
vehicle in a beaker.
To facilitate the work of a dispenser, stock solution of
commonly used soluble chemicals are often prepared (in
conc. Of 25% w/v).
Hygroscopic solids (CaCl
2
and MgCl
2
) are best kept
in solution.
The use of hot water hasten dissolution of slowly
soluble solids (e.g. borax)

B. Mixtures Containing Insoluble
Diffusible Solids
Mixtures containing insoluble ingredients
that diffuse readily in the vehicle by
shaking the bottle and remain dispersed
long enough so that a dose can be poured
out.
A (Shake The Bottle) label must be used.
Examples; magnesium carbonate, light
kaolin, magnesium trisilicate, bismuth
sulphate and bismuth carbonate
B. Mixtures Containing Insoluble Diffusible
Solids
WHITE MIXTURE:
R/
Magnesium sulphate 4 gm
Magnesium carbonate (light)2 gm
Peppermint water ad.....30 ml
Fait Mixture, Mitte ii (60 ml)
Sig., two table spoonful to be taken half an
hour before breakfast
- Used as laxative.
B. Mixtures Containing Insoluble Diffusible
Solids
Procedure:
1. Dissolve magnesium sulphate in about 30 ml of
peppermint water.
2. In dry clean mortar triturate magnesium
carbonate (light) to a smooth past with a little of
vehicle, transfer to a measuring cylinder with
successive portions of the vehicle.
3. Add to the magnesium carbonate suspension
the prepared magnesium sulphate solution with
stirring, and complete to volume with vehicle.
4. Transfer to white glass bottles and affix the label
together with shake the bottle label.
C. Mixtures Containing Insoluble
In-diffusible Solids
Those mixtures containing insoluble solids that
settle down very rapidly and not remain evenly
distributed in the vehicle long enough to ensure
uniformity of the measured dose.
They required a suspending agent.
As a general rule, the suspending agent ordered
by the prescriber should be used, when no
suspending agent is ordered, the dispenser
must select the most suitable one for a particular
solid.
C. Mixtures Containing Insoluble In-diffusible
Solids
Suspending Agents:
These are substances included to keep insoluble
medicament(s) in a state of suspension at least
sufficiently long for a dose to be poured out of the
container.
1. Gum Acacia Powder:
- mixed with substance to be suspended before
adding the vehicle
- used in concentration of 6-10% w/v of the mixture
C. Mixtures Containing Insoluble In-diffusible Solids

Suspending Agents (cont.)

2. Gum Tragacanth powder:

- it usually make lumps when vehicle is added to
it, so it is better to use it a mucilage.
- used in concentration of 0.25-2.3% w/v.
- used only when ordered by the prescriber.

C. Mixtures Containing Insoluble In-diffusible Solids

Suspending Agents (cont.)

3. Compound Tragacanth Powder:
- It consists of tragacanth powder, acacia powder,
starch and sucrose.
- Starch grains prevent formation of lump.
- Mixed with substance to be suspended in the
mortar and vehicle is added gradually with
trituration.
- Used in concentration of 2% w/v of the mixture.
- Usually used when no particular suspending
agent is ordered
- Disadvantage; starch impart opacity to the final
mixture.

C. Mixtures Containing Insoluble In-diffusible Solids

Suspending Agents (cont.)

4. Mucilage of Acacia or Tragacanth
used in concentration of 25% of final volume
Disadv: form solid mass with some insoluble
solid e.g. bismuth salts
R/
Prepared chalk.0.6 gm
Tincture of catechu..0.3 ml
Glycerin.1.0 ml
Chloroform water to.15 ml
Prepare mixture, send 10 dose

N.B. prepared chalk (calcium carbonate) is
insoluble in-diffusible solid.
This formula is used as antacid.
Calculation of the amount of suspending agent:
If no suspending agent is ordered we usually
use the compound tragacanth powder in 2%
concentration.

15 X 2 = 0.3 gm for each dose
100
So, for 10 doses = 0.3 gm X 10 = 3 gm
D. Mixtures Containing Slightly miscible
liquids
Example
R/
Creasote. 0.3 ml
Sodium benzoate.. 0.3 gm
Syrup tolu 2.0 ml
liquid extract of liquorices.2.0 ml
Camphor water ad.. 30.0 ml
Fait Mistura, Mitte ii
D. Mixtures Containing Slightly miscible
liquids
Procedure:
1. Calculate the weight and volumes enough to make 60
ml.
2. Dissolve sodium benzoate in about 10 ml of camphor
water, add other liquid ingredients (syrup tolu and
liquorices).
3. In a clean dry mortar triturate 1.2 gm of compound
tragacanth powder (2% w/v) with about 10 ml of
camphor water.
4. Creasote is added dropwise to the gum mucilage with
continuous trituration.
5. Transfer to cylinder containing the solution of step 2,
and complete volume to 60 ml with camphor water.

E. Mixtures Containing Precipitate
Forming Liquids
Spirit (for example) is an alcoholic solution of
volatile liquid.
On dilution of spirits with water, they yield a fine
precipitate (ppt).
In the finally divided state the ppt is more easily
dissolved by the vehicle than in case if it was
added directly to it.
As a rule, it is necessary to shake until the
precipitated substance is dissolved.