Principles and Procedures
Pharmacopoeia refers to official publications containing standards for the quality, purity, and strength of drugs.
These standards ensure that medicinal products are safe, effective, and of consistent quality.
Standards are set by organizations like USP, BP, or EP for global compliance.
Includes tablets, capsules, and pills, which are common delivery forms.
Covers testing for identity, purity, potency, and physical characteristics.
Verifies that the active ingredient matches the intended substance using techniques like spectroscopy or chromatography.
Assesses for impurities, contaminants, or degradation products to ensure the product is free from unwanted substances.
Measures the strength of the active ingredient to confirm it meets the specified potency level.
Ensures consistent distribution of the active ingredient across dosage units, such as weight variation tests.
Evaluates how the dosage form maintains its quality over time under various storage conditions.
Collect representative samples of solid oral dosage forms and prepare them for visual and instrumental analysis.
Examine the dosage form for color, shape, size, and any physical defects under appropriate lighting.
Use infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy to confirm the identity of the active ingredient.
Apply high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to verify the presence of specific compounds.
Record results and compare against pharmacopoeial limits to determine compliance.
Randomly select a specified number of dosage units as per pharmacopoeial guidelines, typically 10 to 20 units.
Individually weigh each unit using a calibrated balance to the nearest milligram.
Compute the average weight of the samples and compare individual weights to this average.
Ensure that no more than one unit deviates by more than the allowed percentage (e.g., 10% as per USP).
The batch passes if the weights meet the pharmacopoeial limits for uniformity.
Use a disintegration tester with baskets and a water bath maintained at 37°C to simulate body conditions.
Place one dosage unit in each tube of the basket assembly.
Immerse the baskets in the medium (e.g., simulated gastric fluid) and operate at specified strokes per minute.
Monitor the time taken for the dosage form to break down completely, ensuring no residue remains.
Record the disintegration time and verify it against pharmacopoeial standards (e.g., less than 15 minutes for uncoated tablets).
Set up a dissolution apparatus with paddles or baskets in a vessel containing dissolution medium at 37°C.
Add the solid oral dosage form to the apparatus and start agitation at the specified speed.
Withdraw samples at predetermined times (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes) to analyze drug release.
Use UV spectrophotometry or HPLC to quantify the amount of dissolved active ingredient.
Compare the dissolution profile to pharmacopoeial requirements for the specific dosage form.