What Is GLP-1: Understanding Its Role in Formulation Development
What is GLP-1, and why is it important in formulation development? Glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, manage appetite, and support digestion. Certain medications, known as GLP-1 agonists, mimic these functions and are especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes or obesity. How can pharmaceutical companies ensure they […]
What is a Compounding Pharmacy and How Can It Help You?
A compounding pharmacy is a specialized type of pharmacy that creates customized medications tailored to meet the unique needs of individual patients. Unlike traditional pharmacies that dispense mass-produced drugs, compounding pharmacies mix ingredients in precise formulations as prescribed by doctors. This personalized approach allows for adjustments in dosage strength, routes of administration, alternative delivery methods, […]
Chewable Tablets: A Guide to Formulation and Development
Chewable tablets are solid oral dosage forms designed to be chewed and swallowed rather than taken whole. They are particularly beneficial for children and those who have difficulty swallowing large tablets. These dosage forms are palatable and conveniently deliver the active ingredients found in vitamins, antibiotics, and analgesics. This guide explores their formulation and development […]
Oral Liquids – A Comprehensive Guide
Oral liquids are an essential part of modern healthcare; they offer patients a convenient way to take their medications. These pharmaceutical formulations disperse active ingredients through a liquid medium and come in various forms, such as suspensions, solutions, and syrups. They are easy to administer, making them an effective alternative for patients who struggle with […]
Taste Masking in Oral liquids
Oral liquids such as syrups and suspensions are the preferred dosage form for pediatric and geriatric patients due to their ease of administration. Swallowing a tablet can be difficult for an infant or an elderly person and injectables usually require a qualified person to administer the drug. Patient compliance in both these drastically decreases if […]
Formulating Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) Drugs: Innovation through bilayer tablet technology
Bilayer tablets consist of two or more different layers compressed together to form a single tablet. Bilayer tablets are gaining popularity due to their ability to administer multiple active ingredients in one single dosage form. Patients prefer a simple dosing regimen rather than taking multiple different pills throughout the day. Bilayer tablets can help in […]
What is Freeze thaw (Thermal cycling) study?
A freeze-thaw study is a type of stress test performed on liquid formulations to evaluate how finished dosage forms react to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. For example, when pharmaceutical suspensions formulations or emulsions freeze, they lose their structural characteristics that maintain their properties. Upon thawing, the drug substance may not redisperse properly or may […]
What is In-Use Stability?
An in-use stability study is performed to evaluate the chemical, physical, microbiological, and functional integrity of a pharmaceutical product after it has been opened or used but before it expires. This test is used to establish the shelf life and storage condition recommendations for pharmaceutical products after the primary packaging is opened. For example, oral […]
Does your dosage form need to be sterile? Key differences between sterile and non-sterile dosage forms
Whether a dosage form must be sterile prior to administration depends on its route of administration. Parenteral products such as injectable formulations, ophthalmic formulations, otic formulations, and aqueous inhalation products must be sterile prior to use. Oral solid dosage (OSD) and oral liquids, topical, vaginal and anal suppositories on the other hand need not be […]
Overcoming Key Challenges in Developing Fixed-Dose Combination Tablets
Fixed dose combination products are dosage forms containing two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients. Including more than one active ingredient in the same dosage form has shown to increase the effectiveness of treatment for infective diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis and also chronic conditions such as blood pressure and diabetes, where patient compliance is […]