INORGANIC PHARMACEUTICALS

Pharmaceuticals
The substances that are used in the preparation of medicines for the human. Each pharmaceutical : definite composition, specific use and way of storage. Anti-oxidants, gastro intestinal agents etc.

GASTRO INTESTINAL AGENTS

Pharmaceutical compounds used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. E.g. Antacids Cathartics Protectives and adsorbents Acidifying agents

ANTACIDS
Agents which counteract the acidity.

These compounds neutralize excess of gastric HCl that causes pain and possible ulceration in G. I . Tract

Requirement for ideal antacid

Should not be absorbable or cause systemic alkalosis. Should not be laxative or cause constipation. Should exert effect rapidly and for a longer time and over a longer period of time, Rxn between antacid and Gastric HCl should not produce a large volume of gas. Should buffer in pH 4-6 Should inhibit pepsin..proteolytic enzyme.

e.g.
Aluminium Hydroxide Milk of magnesia Sodium bicarbonate Aluminium Phosphate Calcium carbonate Magnesium carbonate Magnesium trisilicate Magnesium Oxide

Aluminium Hydroxide
White viscous suspension of hydrated Al2O3 with varying amt of Aluminium carbonate and bicarbonate. 3.5 to 4.4% of alumina( w/w) May contain peppermint oil, suitable flavour, glycerine, sorbitol, sucrose or saccharin as sweetner and antimicrobial agents. Al-gel is very popular.

Uses
Slow acting antacid.. Gives relief in gastric and duodenal ulcers and reflux oesophagitis. Used to reduce absorption of phosphates conc. And reduce blood phosphate conc. In patients with bone disorders associated with chronic renal failures. Used in the management of urinary phosphatic calculli. Storage : Air tight containers. Freezing to be a

Milk of Magnesia
Suspension 7-8.5% magnesium hydroxide Suitable preservative Not obtd by suspending magnesium hydroxide but reaction of NaOH and Mg-sulphate Use : laxative action; used in alkaline mouth wash Storage : tightly closed containers not to be kept in cold place.

Sodium Bicarbonate : Baking Soda

White crystalline powder with saline taste Stable in dry air decomposes in moist air Soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol Aq. Solution is alkaline; Alkalinity increases with storages, heating etc.

Use of baking soda

It neutralises acidity HCO3- + H3O+ H2CO3 + H2O H2CO3 H2O + CO2

Evolution of Carbon dioxide causes discomfort because of undue distention of stomach and intestine. The pressure exerted by gas is dangerous for the patients with ulcerations..lead to perforations. Treatment of vomiting in children 4.2% injected for rapid acidosis 3.5% eye lotion in warm water, 5% in eye drops soften wax Storage : air tight containers

CATHARTICS
Drugs which promotes defecation Which facilitates the passage through and elimination of the faeces from the intestinal tract esp through colon and rectum. Purgatives : cathartic but mild in nature of action Laxative : Mild purgatives Bring same effect; but vary in nature and mechanism of action.

Route of administration
Laxatives, cathartics and purgatives act by retaining fluid in the bowel, Oral route: suspension, powder Rectal route : enema or suppository

Mechanism of cathartics in which they act

Stimulants Bulk purgatives Lubricants Saline cathartics

Stimulants
Drugs or chemicals which act by local irritation on intestinal tract and bring about stimulation of peristaltic activity. Drugs like senna, rhubarb, cascara, castor oil, aloe etc.

Bulk purgatives
Agents which are able to increase bulk of intestinal contents . These are cellulose or non-digestible type of materials which swell considerably when wet and because of increased bulk stimulate peristalsis. Methyl cellulose, gum. Ispagel etc.

Lubricants
In constipation, contents of intestine become hard because of absorption of water by body. This results in difficulty in clearing of bowels. Liquid paraffin, glycerin, mineral oil etc act as lubricant cause smooth clearance of the fecal material.

Saline cathartics
Act by increasing osmotic load of intestine by absorbing large quantity of water and thereby stimulate peristalsis. Poorly absorbable cations like Ca, Mg and anions like phosphate, sulphate etc contribute to this effect. Saline cathartics are water soluble mainly inorganic chemicals which are taken with plenty of water. Helps in restricting loss of body fluid and reduces nausea and vomiting. e.g. Magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulphate, Na & K tartarate.

Magnesium sulphate
99-100% MgSO4. 7H2O Colourless, odourless, needle like cryst powder. Freely soluble in water. Uses : Saline cathartics Used perenterally (I. v.) as an anticonvulsant. 50% soln (60-180ml) given as enema. Used locally in various inflammatory conditions. Used orally as antidote for HM poisoning. Storage : Cool place in air tight container

Sodium Phosphate
White hygroscopic powder Soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol Uses: Ionised phosphate produces saline cathartic effect Stored in tightly closed containers protected from moisture.

TOPICAL AGENTS
Topical = pertaining to a particular spot These compounds act locally on skin or mucous membrane. Classified as : 1. Protective and Adsorbents 2. Antimicrobial and astringent compounds

Protective & Adsorbents

Protectives: Cover skin or mucous membrane from possible irritant e.g. Talc Adsorbents: Chemically inert sub. that adsorb dissolved or suspended particles or gases , toxins. E.g. calamine Prop. : Insolubility; adsorbent and chemical inertness

 Topical protectives and adsorbents generally applied to irritated or inflamed areas of skin. The irritation / inflammation is due to moisture, friction or allergy. Adsorbent should not be applied to the abraded skin because of possibility of systemic absorption. E.g. : Talc, zinc oxide, calamine, titanium dioxide, silicone polymers

Talc ( Talc, French Chalk, Purified Talc)

Softest mineral. Occurs as lumps ( steatite) Mg-silicate and small amount of Al-silicate Fine white/ grayish powder, tasteless, odourless Readily adheres to skin Practically insoluble in water, dilute acids and bases

Uses:
Protective dusting powder. Prevents irritation due to friction and protects that area. Should not be applied on broken skin or wound. Lubricant. Lubricant in tableting process. Filter aid (80-100mesh), non-adsoprtive prop. Render it as filter aid in syrup, aromatic elixer. Storage : well closed container

Calamine
Zinc oxide with a small amount of ferric oxide and yields on ignition NLT 98% of ZnO. Amorphous, odourless, tasteless pink or reddish brown powder. Colour = variety and amount of ferric oxide Insoluble in water, soluble with effervescence in HCl.

Uses
Mild astringent action on the skin. Due to soothing , adsorbent and protective properties is used as dusting powder. Used as a cream, lotion or ointment in various skin disorders. Has better cosmetic acceptability than ZnO. Storage : air tight containers

ANTIMICROBIAL AND ASTRINGENTS

These drugs cause suppression of the growth of microorganisms. E.g. bacteria, fungi, protozoans etc. Disinfectant Antiseptic Bactericide Bacteriostatic Germicide

Disinfectant
Chem agent which destroys micro-organisms but not usually bacterial spores. It doesn t serilise the area under treatment. Used to treat inanimate objects and materials and also used to treat the skin andother body membranes and cavities.

Antiseptic
Chem agent which destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

Used to treat living tissues in general.

 Bactericide : Kills the bacteria but not necessarily bacterial spores. Bacteriostatic : Inhibits the multiplication of bacteria. Germicide : Destroys pathogenic microorganisms.

Mechanism of action
Ranges from a mild astringent to powerful oxidative processes. Oxidation Halogenation Protein precipitation

Oxidative Mechanism
Compounds acting by this mechanism belong to class of peroxides of peroxyacids, permangantes and certain oxo-halogen anions. These anti infective agents bring about oxidation of active functional groups present in proteins or enzymes which is essential to the growth of microorganisms.

Halogenation mechanism
The compounds are able to liberate chlorine or hypochlorite or iodine act by this mechanism. They act on peptide linkage and alter its potential and property. The destruction of specific function of protein cayses death of microorganisms.

Protein precipitation
Many metal ions exhibit protein binding or protein precipitation. The reaction takes place through polar group of protein which acts as ligands and metal ions as Lewis acid. The complex formed may be strong chelate giving rise to inactivation of protein.

KMnO4
Odourless, dark purple coloured crystalline compound with greenish blue metallic lustre. Sweet astringent taste Soluble in water freely soluble in boiling water Conc solutions are deep violet to red in colour Higly dil solutions are pink in colour Forms explosive mixture with charcoal and produces fire with glycerine.

Uses
Wide range of medicinal applications for its antibacterial, antifungal, germicidal and astringent properties. Has deodorising action. 1:1000 soln in water powerful cleansing action in wounds 1:4000 soln in water a a gargel or mouth wash, antiseptic action 1:5000 soln non irritant used as a gastric lavage. Treatment of posioning by morphine

Uses contd.
1% soln of KMnO4 used un bromhidrosis ( foul smelling perspiratoin) etc. Stored in closed containers avoiding contact with organic matter.

Tincture iodine
Tinctures are medicines dissolved in volatile, w.s. solvents like ethanol and used for external applications. Tincture iodine: dissolving 2% iodine and 2% NaI in 50% aq. Alcohol The aq soln of iodine forms hypoiodous acid HOI, ( mild oxidising agent) HOI is effective on bacteriocidal action of iodine.

 I2 + H2O

HI + HOI

2HI + [O]

Uses : effective topical antimicrobial agent which is cheap and readily available. Elemental iodine is responsible for its antiseptic action and alcohol adds to the antibaterial activity. Acts as astringent and reduces bacterial growth.

 Effective against bacterial and fungal infection of skin. Used to disinfect drinking water sources.

Boric acid
NLT 99.5% H3BO3 .. Odourless, colourless or white cryst powder. It is stable in air. It has slight bitter taste . Soluble in water, alcohol, and frely soluble in glycerine boiling water and boiling alcohol.

Uses
Weak bacteriostatic and fungistatic action. Used as buffer to maintain an acidic pH in various topical preparations. Used in ophthalmic solutions. Used as a dusting powder but beacause of danger of inhalation this practice is avoided. It is toxic and not used internally. Boroglycerin glycerite is used as a suppository base.

Astringents
Shows a local or surface protein precipitant action when applied to damaged skin or mucous membranes. Astringent action is a surface phenomenon as such agents do not cause destruction of host tissues.

 Astringents are generally applied in dilute solutions. In higher conc they produce irritation. E.g. alum

Potash alum
Colourless, transparent, odourless crystalline mass or granular powder with a sweet astringent taste. Freely soluble in water and glycerin, insoluble in alcohol. Its solution is acidic and turns blue litmus red. Melts at 200oC , loses water of crystallisation and forms anhydrous salt.

Uses
Typical astringent Used as haemostatic for superficial abrasions, cuts and ulcers. Dilute solutions have been used as mouth wash or gargles, but the acidity may damage teeth. Occasionally used as dusting powder. Considered as antiseptic.