Formulation :These are solid dosage form of medicament, meant for internal use.
These are composed of citric acid, tartaric acid & sodium bicarbonate.
In presence of water, acid reacts with alkali to release carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide helps to mask the bitter and saline taste of the drugs
Carbon dioxide stimulates the flow of gastric juices and therefore helps in
absorption of drugs
Sometimes saccharin or sucrose may be added as sweetening agent
Colour can be imparted to enhance the appearance
Preparation:
Method of preparation:
1) Heat method:
A large porcelain dish is placed on a water bath, with as much of the dish as possible
exposed to the water or steam. The dish must be hot to ensure rapid liberation of water of
crystallization from citric acid. If heating of the dish is delayed, the powder which is
added to it, will heat up slowly and the liberated water of crystallisation will go on
evaporating simultaneously. As a result sufficient water will not be available to make
coherent mass.
3) Generally heating takes 1 to 5 minutes. The damp mass is then passed through sieve
dried in an oven temperature not exceeding 600C.
2) Wet method:
i) The mixed ingredients are moistened with non-aqueous vehicle( e.g. alcohol, propylene
glycol) to prepare a coherent mass.
ii) It is then passed through a sieve no.8 & dried in an oven at temperature not exceeding
600C.
iii)The dried granules then passed through the sieve to break the lumps which may be
formed during drying.
iv) Then packed in air tight containers.