Types of Powders

A drug composed of a solid dry substance in the form of finely divided particles used for external and internal use in the form of dosage is termed a pharmaceutical powder. These powders are used in doses and can be obtained through the processes like 

crushing and grinding. The pharmaceutical powder’s size can vary from 10 nanometers to 1000 micrometers in terms of fine structure and elegant appearance. There was an observation that the doses in the powder form are more effective than the liquid doses as the drug in the soluble form gets easily absorbed quickly.  

Types of Powder:

Based on the utility of the pharmaceutical powder, it is divided into different categories given as:

1. Bulk powder

The bulk powder is a finely powdered substance that consists of medicinal drugs and can be used for internal and external uses. As the name implies, these powders are used in large quantities, which can be limited by measuring them with the help of teaspoons, cups, etc. The major portion of bulk powder is tropical. 

2. Dusting Powder

Dusting powders are those pharmaceutical powders that contain single medicinal agents applied as dusting agents. These powders are frequently used as medicinal powder drugs and protect against skin irritation. The base for the dusting powder is clay, kaolin, magnesium carbonate, talc and starch. 

3. Douche powder 

Douche powder is a powder drug that is used for the cleaning solutions of intimate body parts for hygiene. Douche powders are sometimes called douches. These powders are prepared for cleaning vaginal problems. This Powder is synthesized from the volatile substances, and the pH lies in the parameter of 3.5 to 5. Metal foil bags are equipped to prepare the commercial douche powder packets.

4. Insufflations

Insufflations are the extremely small fine solid particles of the pharmaceutical powder used to inject into the body. The Powder can be easily injected into the patient’s body with the help of the insufflator by inhaling the air current when the insufflator bulb gets squeezed. These packaged solutions provide an excellent solution for administering insufflation.

5. Divided powders

A single dose of medicine in powdered form packed in individual packages is known as divided Powder, generally known as a chart. These powders are generally divided into smaller accurate dosages than the bulk powder and are available in small units of Cellophane, paper and foil. This Powder must be kept safe from external environmental conditions to eliminate its side effects.

6. Powder sprays

Powder sprays are a better alternative than dusting powder as it is dispensed with high pressure and uniform distribution in the targeted place. For an effective spray of the medicine on the target place, the particles must be smaller than 50 microns if it gets packaged as a powder spray. 

7. Efflorescent Powder

These types of pharmaceutical powders are those powders that are composed of crystallized powders such as atropine, citric acid, codeine, alums and caffeine. This type of pharmaceutical Powder would become sticky if exposed to a low-humidity environment as the water gets liberated from the Powder. Drying the powder is supposed to get mixed with the bulky Powder. Those solids which can spontaneously liberate water from the hydrated salt are called efflorescent substances. In simple terms, hydrated substances are generally referred to as the most efflorescent substance. Some examples of efflorescent substances are Na₂SO₄.10H₂O, Na₂CO₃, and FeSO₄. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of pharmaceutical Powder

In the given section, the advantages and disadvantages of the pharmaceutical powder are discussed as given below: 

Advantages:

1. One can easily prepare the dose, and its composition’s elements are found in a wide range.
2. Powder doses have a higher shelf life and better physicochemical stability than liquid dosages.
3. Consumption of medicines in powder form can be a better option for children and adults who suffer difficulty swallowing capsules and tablets.
4. Powder medication is an effective alternative for providing a larger dose to the patient than any other.
5. Mixing more than one medical agent provides great versatility to the medicine.

Disadvantage:

1. The drugs having unpleasant tastes are difficult to consume in powder form.
2. The powdered medicine is difficult to carry as it is heavy and bulky.
3. The hygroscopic drug is not good for dispensing in powdered form.
4. Powdered medication is not suitable where the medicine can harm the stomach or become inactive in the stomach. 

Conclusion

This article concluded the entire discussion on the pharmaceutical powder used in the pharmaceutical industry. It also briefly explained the powders used in the pharmaceutical industries, which are given as a bulky powder, dusting powder, divided Powder, powder sprays, douche powder and insufflations. The advantages and disadvantages of pharmaceutical powders also limelight the positive and negative impacts of Powder. Of all the types of Powder, the efflorescent Powder is a different type due to its presence of crystallized particles. Examples of efflorescent substances are Na₂SO₄.10H₂O, Na₂CO₃, and FeSO₄. 

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