1. Suppositories
Aram I. Ibrahim

2. Content Introduction Advantages Disadvantages Types of suppositories
Bases of suppositories
Procedure

3. Introduction
Suppository is a solid dosage form meant to be inserted into Body cavity like rectum , urethra, vagina.
They should melt or soften to release the drugs and produce their local or systemic effect.
They are made in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the routes of administration (body cavities).

4. Advantages Alternated dosage form for low bioavailability drugs.
Suitable for unconscious patients.
Bypass GI irritation.
A patient who has difficulty in swallowing.
Bypassing portal circulation.
Masking bad odor or tastes.

5. Disadvantages Difficulties in manufacturing process
Irritation to mucous membrane
Storage condition problem (10-20 °c )
Leakage problem
They are not preferred by patients

6. Rectal suppositories
The weight of suppository used in children is about 1g and in adult about 2g.
The shape of suppository used in rectal is torpedo shape.
The length is about 3 to 5 cm.

7. Vaginal suppositories
It is in oviform shape.
It is about 3-5g in weight.
It contains the drugs which are used in treatment of the infections of female genitourinary tract , or for contraception.

8. Urethral suppositories
they are cylindrical in shape (3 - 6 mm in diameter) and vary in length according to gender.
Female urethral suppositories can be mm in length while male urethral suppositories can be about mm in length.

9. Suppository bases
Bases should be exist in solid form at room temperature
It should melt at body temperature.
It should not irritate mucus membranes
It should remain stable on storage

10. Suppository bases Oleaginous bases Hydrophilic bases Emulsifying bases
1. Cocoa butter.
2. Emulsified cocoa butter.
3. Hydrogenated oils.
Hydrophilic bases
1. Glycero-gelatin base.
2. Soap-glycerin base.
3. Polyethylene glycol.
Emulsifying bases
1. Witepsol
2. Massa estarinum
3. Massuppol.

11. Suppository bases Cocoa Butter Source Properties
Cocoa butter is fat obtained from the roasted seed of Theobroma cocoa.
Properties
At room temperature it is a yellowish, white solid having a faint, agreeable chocolate like odour.
Chemically, it is a triglyceride (combination of glycerin and one or different fatty acids).
It melts at C

12. Suppository bases Hydrophilic bases Properties:
It is a mixture of glycerin and water which is made stiff by the addition of gelatin.
Properties:
It is colourless, transparent in nature. It is soft to touch.
It melts at C.

13. Suppository bases Emulsifying bases Properties: They solidify rapidly
They are non-irritant
The lubrication of mould is not required
Overheating does not affect the physical properties of the base
They can absorb fairly large amount of water or aqueous liquids
The white, odourless, clean and attractive suppositories are produced

14. Method of preparation
Fusion method
Cold compression

15. Method of preparation Fusion Method Melting the suppository base
Dispersing or dissolving the drug in the melted base
Pour the mixture into the suppository mold
Allowing the melt to congeal
Removing the suppositories from the mold

16. Method of preparation Compression moulding :
It is a method of preparing suppositories from a mixed mass of suppository base and medicaments, which is forced into a special compression mold.
The suppository base and the other ingredients should be thorough mixed using a mortar and pestle.
In the compression machine, the suppository mass is placed into a cylinder which is then closed.
Pressure is applied from one end to release the mass from the other end into the suppository mold.

17. Packaging and storage
Suppositories are usually packed in tin or aluminum, paper or plastic.
Poorly packed suppositories may give rise to staining, breakage or deformation by melting.
Both cocoa butter and glycerinated gelatin suppositories stored preferably in a refrigerator.
Polyethylene glycol suppositories stored at usual room temperature without the requirement of refrigeration.