1. Determination of Physical Characteristics of Nine Non-Prescription Medications: pH, Viscosity, Surface Tension, Specific Gravity and Kinematic Viscosity
Achyut Kathuria*, Mohammad Zahid Khan*, Antoine Al-Achi
Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, NC 27506
CONCLUSIONS
ABSTRACT
METHODS
All products were found to be acidic except for DI-gel Antacid and Antigas which showed basic pH. Tussin DM cough syrup was found to be the most acidic with an average pH of All products had an apparent surface tension value less than that of water. Tussin DM Cough Syrup had the least value for surface tension. Most of the products had viscosity close to water except for Allergy Liquid, Children’s day time cough and cold syrup and Tussin DM cough syrup which showed viscosity of cps, cps and cps respectively. The specific gravities were measured using two different instruments (a pycnometer and Densito 30 PX). The data obtained from both instruments showed excellent correlation. All products were found to be denser than water except Witch Hazel USP Hammelis Water which had a specific gravity of Children’s day time cough and cold syrup had highest kinematic viscosity of cSt, whereas pediaONE product had lowest kinematic viscosity of cSt.
The physical characteristic of non-prescription medications serves as important parameter for the compounding pharmacist in order to dispense the product according to the patient’s need. In this study, three bottles of nine different non-prescription products were tested for their pH, surface tension, viscosity, kinematic viscosity and specific gravity. All parameters were analyzed at room temperature and in triplicates. pH of all products was found to be acidic except for DI-gel Antacid and Antigas which showed basic pH. Tussin DM cough syrup was found to be the most acidic with an average pH of All products had an apparent surface tension value less than that of water. Pediatric Electrolyte had surface tension similar to that of water while Tussin DM Cough Syrup had the least value for surface tension. Viscosities of all products were measured by Ostwald Viscometer. Most of the products had viscosity close to water except for Allergy Liquid, Children’s day time cough and cold syrup and Tussin DM cough syrup which showed viscosity of cps, cps and cps respectively. The specific gravities were measured using two different instruments (a pycnometer and Densito 30 PX). The data obtained from both instruments showed excellent correlation. All products were found to be denser than water except Witch Hazel USP Hammelis Water which had a specific gravity of Tussin DM cough syrup had the highest specific gravity. Children’s day time cough and cold syrup had highest kinematic viscosity of cSt, whereas pediaONE product had lowest kinematic viscosity of cSt.
All physical characteristics of non-prescription medications were measured at room temperature in triplicate (n=3). pH was measured using pH meter. Specific gravity was determined by using Densito 30PX as well as Pycnometer. Surface tension was determined by capillary rise method. Viscosity of all non-prescription medications was determined by Ostwald viscometer.
RESULTS
OTC
Physical Characteristics (Average of 3 Bottles ± Standard deviation) pH
Specific Gravity
(Densito 30PX)
(Pycnometer)
Surface tension
(dyne/cm)
Viscosity
(cPs)
Kinematic Viscosity
(cSt)
Pediatric electrolyte
3.962±0.015
70.543±3.891
1.079±0.140
1.064±0.013
Lavoris Mouthwash
3.804±0.071
0.999±0.014
60.134±2.398
1.188±0.017
1.172±0.015
Citroma magnesium citrate
3.872±0.012
1.052±0.013
67.497±3.444
1.487±0.038
1.408±0.034
Allergy
liquid
4.799±0.069
1.128±0.000
1.114±0.027
58.441±4.937
3.226±0.039
2.858±0.032
Witch Hazel USP Hammelis water
4.140±0.159
0.980±0.000
0.962±0.016
68.634±2.383
1.461±0.029
1.490±0.028
Pedia ONE oral rehydration therapy
3.986±0.015
1.013±0.000
59.865±6.849
1.034±0.012
1.022±0.011
Tussin DM cough syrup
2.657±0.032
1.256±0.002
1.262±0.016
45.734±0.066
27.183±0.029
21.645±0.846
Children’s day time cough and cold
3.460±0.033
1.206±0.001
1.209±0.014
48.773±4.668
27.015±1.268
Di-gel, Antacid & Antigas
8.072±0.034
1.156±0.005
1.171±0.005
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REFERENCES
Al-Achi A, Shipp S. Physical Characteristics of Selected Over-the- Counter- Medications. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, 9 (1), Jan-Feb 2005,
Al-Achi A. Specific Gravity Determination of Ten Over-The-Counter products. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation, 5(1), Sep-Oct 2012, 65.
OBJECTIVE
To determination physical characteristics i.e. specific gravity, surface tension, pH and rheological properties, of various over the counter products. Specific gravities of all OTC products are determined by densitometer (Densito 30PX) as well as by pycnometer and observations are analyzed for any significant difference.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
Pediatric electrolyte, Lavoris mouthwash, Citroma magnesium citrate, Allergy liquid, Witch Hazel USP Hammelis water, Pedia ONE oral rehydration therapy, Tussin DM cough syrup, Children’s day time cough and cold, pH meter (Denver), Analytical balance (Mettler Toledo), Densitometer (Mettler Toledo), Pycnometer, Ostwald viscometer, Capillary tubes. . .