SUPPOSITORIES BY AKASH SURESH (BDS)

1. SUPPOSITORIES
AKASH SURESH
THIRD YEAR BDS
MALABAR DENTAL COLLEGE AND RESEARCH CENTRE

2. DEFINITION
 Solid dosage form of medicament for insertion
into body cavities other than mouth
 They may be inserted into rectum, vagina or nasal
cavity.
 Incorporated into suppository base and either melt
or dissolve in the body cavity to release the
medicament.
 Available in different shapes and sizes.

4. ADVANTAGES
 Easily administered to children, old persons & to
unconscious patients who cannot swallow the drug easily.
 Inserted into body cavity to produce local effect.
 Rapid absorption of the drug occurs from the rectum
 Bypass first pass metabolism & gastric acid inactivation of
the drug.
 Unit dosage forms of drug.

5. DISADVANTAGES
 Irritant drugs cannot be administered
 Preparation of suppositories is not easy.
 The suppositories are required to be stored
at low temperature (10-20°c).
 If not stored properly, it will melt & the shape
may change slightly.

6. TYPES OF SUPPOSITORIES
1. RECTAL SUPPOSITORIES
2. VAGINAL SUPPOSITORIES
3. URETHRAL SUPPOSITORIES
4. NASAL SUPPOSITORIES
5. EAR CONE SUPPOSITORIES

7. For adults weigh 2gm; Torpedo shape; made from Theobroma oil; for
children weigh 1 gm.
TYPES OF SUPPOSITORIES
A.Rectal Suppositories
B.Vaginal Suppositories
Also known as Pessaries; weigh about 4gm; conical, rod or wedged
shaped; inserted into vagina.
Also known as Urethral Bougies; introduction to urethra; thin, long and
cylindrical; weigh 2-4gm.
C.Urethral Suppositories

8. Also known as Nasal Bougies; insertion to nasal cavity; thin and cylindrical
shape; weigh 1gm
TYPES OF SUPPOSITORIES
D.Nasal Suppositories
E.Ear Cones
Also known as Aurinaria; insertion to ear; thin, long and cylindrical shape;
1gm

9. NEW TRENDS IN SUPPOSITORIES
A. Tablet Suppositories
B. Layered Suppositories
C. Capsule Suppositories
D. Coated Suppositories
E. Disposable Suppositories

10. SUPPOSITORY BASES
 Suppository bases play an important role in maintaining the shape, solidity
and also play an important role when inserted into body cavity.
 Ideal Properties:
 It should melt at body temperature or dissolve or disperse in body fluids.
 It should retain it's shape while being handled.
 It should release the medicament readily.
 It should be non-toxic & non-irritant to the mucous membrane.
 It Should be stable on storage.
 It should be stable, if heated above it's melting point.
 It should be easily mouldable and should not adhere to the mould.
 It should be compatible with a large number of drugs

11. CLASSIFICATION OF SUPPOSITORY BASES
CLASSIFICATION
WATER SOLUBLE & WATER
MISCIBLE BASES
● GLYCERO- GELATIN
● SOAP-GLYCERINE
● POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
MISCELLENOUS BASES
● POLYOXYL 40
STEARATE
FATTY BASES
● THEOBROMA OIL
● EMULSIFIED THEOBROMA
OIL
● HYDROGENATED OIL
EMULSIFYING BASES
● WITEPSOL
● MASSA ESTARINUM
● MASSUPOL

12. METHOD OF PREPARATION OF
SUPPOSITORIES
Rolling method
Hot process or fusion method
Cold compression method
1
2
3

13. a) Rolling Method
 It is the ancient method, where the suppository base is rolled & then the
desired shape is given with hand.
 Not used now-a-days.

14. b) Hot Process Or Fusion Method
 It is the commonly used method.
 Here, the suppository base is melted, the medicament is incorporated in it &
filled in lubricated mold. On cooling, the suppositories are removed from the
mold.

17. Displacement Value
 The volume of suppository for particular mould is uniform but
its weight will vary because of difference in density of base and
medicament used
 For this displacement value of medicament is taken in
consideration
 Displacement value is defined as “the quantity of drug which
displaces one part of the base”

18. Steps to calculate displacement value

19. c) Cold Compression Method
 Useful for thermolabile & insoluble drugs as heating & stirring
of the base with medicament is not required.
 Cocoa butter is grated & mixed with the ingredients.
 The compression of this mass is done on hand or power-
operated compression machines.

21. The tests are:-
1)Uniformity of weight test
2)Melting range test
3)Liquefaction or softening time test
4) Breaking test
5)Disintegration/dissolution test
Evaluation Of Suppositories

22. Suppositories are packed in shallow Partitioned
card board boxes or in aluminium foil strips, to
avoid contact with each other
PACKAGING OF SUPPOSITORIES

23. Suppositories are meant to be Stored in a cold
place (refrigerator).
Do not freeze the suppositories.
STORAGE

24. “STORE IN A COOL PLACE” “ NOT TO BE TAKEN
ORALLY”
"FOR RECTAL USE ONLY."
LABELLING OF SUPPOSITORIES

25. THANK YOU