DRUGS AND IT'S DOSAGE FORMS

 BEFORE KNOWING THE DOSAGE FORMS WE SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUGS AND ADDITIVES

DRUGS -

Drugs may be defined as an agent intended for use in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, cure or prevention of disease.

ADDITIVES -

The different kind of non-drug inert components which are added to the main drug components are called additives.

The additives provides formulation a particular shape, increases stability and palatability as well as give more elegance to the preparation.

DOSAGE FORMS -

The dosage forms are carrier through which drug molecules are delivered to the site of action within the body.

Every dosage forms is a combination of a drug and different kind of non-drug components (additives)

LETS KNOW WHY THE DOSAGE FORMS ARE NECESSARY

- It prevents drug from oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis.

   i.e. - COATED AND SEALED TABLETS

- It protects the drug from gastric juices.

   i.e. - ENTERIC COATED TABLETS

- To conceal bitter, salty, obnoxious taste of a drug.

   i.e. - CAPSULES, COATED TABLETSAND FLAVOURED SYRUP

- To provide drug for insertion in the body cavities.

   i.e. - SUPPOSITORIES

The dosage forms are mainly of three types :-

- Solid dosage form

- Liquid dosage form

- Semisolid dosage form

These dosage forms are further divided into sub categories :-

 SOLID DOSAGE FORM

- UNIT DOSAGE FORM - Tablets

                                     - Powders

                                     - Capsules

                                     - Pills

- BULK DOSAGE FORM - Internal - Fine powders

                                                      - Granules and effervescent                                                                 granules

                                     - External - Dusting powders

                                                      - Insufflation

                                                      - Dentifrices

LIQUID DOSAGE FORM

- Monophasic - Internal - Syrups

                                         - Elixir

                                         - Linctus

                                         - Drops

                        - External - Eye and nasal drop

                                         - Liniments

                                         - Gargles

                                         - Throat paints

                                         - Mouth wash

- Biphasic - Emulsion

                 - Suspension

SEMI SOLID DOSAGE FORM

- Internal - Suppositories

                 - Pessaries

- External - Ointments

                 - Creams

                 - Pastes

                 - Jellies

                                                             

SOLID DOSAGE FORM -  

TABLETS - Tablets are solid unit dosage forms. These are basically compressed form of active drug and additive. These can be cylindrical, oval and biconcave.

CAPSULES - Capsules are unit dosage form in which the active drug is enclosed in a gelatin capsule. The gelatin capsule has 2 parts one wider part which cap and the narrow or thin part which is body

The process of capsule formation is called encapsulation.

POWDERS - The pharmaceutical powders is define as a dry, solid substance, composed of finely divided drug with or without excipients and intended for internal or external use.

It is a solid substance in finely divided state typically obtained by crushing, grinding, or comminuting.

PILLS - As same as tablets. These are also solid unit dosage forms.

DUSTING POWDERS - These are meant for external use and applied to the skin. These are present in very fine state of subdivision to avoid local irritation. 

The dusting  powders should be passed through 80 seive to enhance effectiveness.

The dusting powders are of two types - 

Medical dusting powders - It is used for superficial skin condition.

Surgical dusting powders - It is used in body cavities and major wounds as a result of burns and umbilical cord of infants.

INSUFFLATIONS - These are medicated dusting powder meant for introduction into the body cavities such as nose, throat, ears and vagina with the help of an apparatus known as "Insufflator".

It spray powder into a stream of finely divided particles all over the site of application.

SNUFFS - These are finely divided solid dosage form of medicament which are inhaled into nostril for its antiseptic, bronchodilator and decongestion.

DENTIFRICES - These are applied with the help of a tooth brush for cleaning the surface of teeth.

                          TOOTH PASTES AND TOOTH POWDER

LIQUID DOSAGE FORM -

LINIMENTS - Liniments or embrocation is a medicated topical preparation for application to the skin.

LOTIONS - A lotion is a low to medium-viscosity medicated or non medicated topical preparation, intended for application to unbroken skin.

GARGLES - A solution for rinsing the mouth and throat. To rinse the mouth and throat by holding a solution in the open mouth and agitating it by expulsion of air from the lungs.

THROAT PAINTS - These are viscous liquid preparation used for mouth and throat infections.

MOUTH WASH - These are medicated liquid used for cleaning the mouth and treating disorders of the oral mucosa also known as mouth rinse.

SYRUPS - Syrup is a medicine in the form of a thick liquid containing a sugar solution. 

The concentration of sugar is 66 % w/w.

ELIXIRS - These are hydro alcoholic liquid for oral use.

LINCTUS - Medicine in the form of syrup used to release cough and sore throats.

LOTIONS - These are liquid preparation meant for external application without friction. They are applied direct to the skin with the help of some absorbent material such as cotton wool or gauze soaked in it.

EMULSIONS - An emulsion is an biphasic liquid preparation which contains two immiscible liquids one which is dispersed as minute globules into the other.

Emulsions are of two types -

Oil in water emulsion - In this water is in continuous phase where as oil is in dispersed phase.

Water in oil emulsion - In this oil is in continuous phase where as water is in dispersed phase.

SUSPENSION - These are also biphasic liquid dosage form of medicament in which finely divided solid particles are dispersed in a liquid or semi solid vehicle.

SEMI SOLID DOSAGE FORM -

OINTMENT - These are semi-solid preparation meant for application to the skin or mucous membrane.

SUPPOSITORIES - A suppositories is a dosage form used to deliver medications by insertion into a body cavities where it is dissolves or melts to exert local or systemic effects.

                                        

                                                                  

 

 COVAXIN - A LIGHT OF HOPE AFTER DARK

IN THIS BLOG I AM GOING TO DISCUSS ABOUT  BHARAT BIOTECH'S COVID -19 VACCINE "COVAXIN"..

THIS BLOG CONTAINS ALL DETAILS ABOUT 'COVAXIN' VACCINE..

FIRSTLY WE SHOULD KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT COVID -19

COVID-19

COVID -19 is an infectious disease caused by newly discovered coronavirus .

Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment...

"COVAXIN" 

COVAXIN is the India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine..

This vaccine was manufactured by an Indian biotechnology company named BHARAT BIOTECH in collaboration with ICMR (Indian Council Of Medical Research).

Bharat Biotech is one of the leading manufacturer of vaccines and a leading biotech company.

After a long struggle in search of solution for preventing the spread of corona virus , a purely indigenous vaccine "COVAXIN" was approved in India for the vaccination program.

LET US KNOW SOME BASIC THINGS ABOUT "COVAXIN"

MANUFACTURER  - Bharat Biotech

RESEARCH NAME - BBV152

VACCINE TYPE       - Inactivated

ADMINISTRATION METHOD- Intramuscular Injection

The COVAXIN is developed by using whole-virion inactivated Vero cell derived platform technology.

The inactivated vaccine are generally considered to be safe because they do not replicate and are therefore unlikely to revert and cause pathological effect..

INGREDIENTS :-

THE BHARAT BIOTECH'S COVAXIN HAS FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS ;-

6 micro gram of whole virion inactivated SARS-CoV -2 antigen (strain - NV-2020-770)

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS - 

Aluminum hydroxide gel (250 micro gram)

 Imidazoquinolinone (15 micro gram)

                                                

2-phenoxy ethanol (2.5 mg)

                                                

 Phosphated buffer saline upto 0.5 ml

CLINICAL RESEARCH :-

PHASE (I) AND PHASE (II) TRIALS :-

ICMR on may 2020 provided the virus strains for the development of vaccine for COVID-19 

In June 2020 the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) permitted the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine "COVAXIN" for phase I and phase II trials.
In total there were total 12 sites were selected for phase I and phase II trials.
The phase I and phase II study includes randomise , double-blind and placebo study on vaccine candidate..

The dosing regimen in phase I and phase II trials are different.

In phase I trials there is 2 weeks gap between the 1st and the 2nd dose. But in phase II trials there is 4 weeks gap between the 1st and the 2nd dose..

The later study shows that phase II trials had high immune response and T cell response than the phase II trials due to the difference in their dosing regimen..

PHASE(III) TRIALS:-

In November 2020 COVAXIN also got the permission for the conduction of phase III trials in which the volunteers of 18 year of age or above were participated . In total 26000 volunteers from all over the India participated in phase III trials of the vaccine which is done in 22 sites all over the India..

In march 2021 the efficacy rate for phase III trial is 81 percent.

EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION :-

Bharat biotech applied for EUC to DCGI for getting the permission for starting the emergency use of the vaccine..

On 2nd January 2021 Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) recommended the permission and on 3rd January the permission was granted..

The vaccine EUC was granted before outcome of phase III data , and this became the point of criticism in some sections of media.

HOW DOES IT WORKS:-

This vaccine contains the inactivated corona viruses which are injected inside the body through intramuscular route , this does not cause COVID -19 as the viruses are inactivated . So some of the inactivated viruses are swallowed by an immune cell known as antigen-presenting cell. 

The antigen presenting cell tears the corona virus and display some of its fragments on its surface A so called helper T cell may detect the fragment. If the fragment fits into one of its surface protein , the T cell becomes activated and can help recruit other immune cells to respond to the vaccine.

DOSING:-

The dosing regimen of COVAXIN between the first dose  and the second dose is of 4 weeks.

WHY TWO DOSES ARE REQUIRED ?

The two doses are required for the COVAXIN because , when the vaccine was first tested , a relative weak immune response was found within a few week . After getting the 2nd dose the trial study shows that the immune response against the corona virus became strong .

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE "COVAXIN":-

- Those who have history of allergy 

- Those who have fever

- Those who have any bleeding disorder 

- Those who are taking medications which affects the immune system

- Pregnant and breastfeeding women

- Who have received another COVID-19 vaccine 

- Any  other health issues...

NOTE - Tell the vaccinator / officer supervising your vaccination about all of your medical conditions which are mentioned above..

 

 Antihelminthics - Enemy Of Helminths

Hi in this  blog I am going to discuss about "Antihelminthics" drug. We all are familiar to this word , but  this blog will provide a descriptive information about "ANTIHELMINTHICS"

Firstly we should know what are Helminths

Helminths are basically parasitic worms which when entered into the body develops disease condition. The adult parasite can generally be seen with naked eyes.
Basically when the parasitic worms entered into the host body they nourish themselves by receiving nutrients from the host and as a result the absorbing power of host to absorb nutrients get disturbed due to which weakness and disease condition arises.
An infection caused by Helminths are known as "Helminthiasis"

ANTIHELMINTHICS

Antihelminthics drug are the class of drugs which are used to treat the disease caused by Helminths( Parasitic worm)

The worms that cause infection in man generally includes- 

- Roundworms

- Tapeworms

- Flukes

CLASSFICATION

For Nematodes (Roundworms) -

- Diethylcarbamazine

- Ivermectin

- Mebendazole

- Pyrantel pamoate

- Thiabendazole

For Trematodes (Flukes) -

- Praziquantel

For Cestodes ( Tapeworms) -

- Albendazole

- Niclosamide

Uses And Mechanism Of Action

DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE

Uses - It is used to treat Filariasis 

MOA  - It immobilize microfilariae and rendered them susceptible to host defence.

IVERMECTIN

Uses - It is used to treat River blindness

MOA - It target the parasite's glutamate gated chloride channel receptors which will cause paralysis of the worm.

IT IS CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY.

MEBENDAZOLE

Uses - It is the drug of choice in the treatment of infection caused by whipworm , pinworm , hookworms and roundworms.

MOA - It interfere with parasite's  microtubules and decreases glucose uptake.

IT ALSO CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY  DUE TO ITS TERATOGENIC AND EMBRYOTOXIC EFFECT

PYRANTEL PAMOATE

Uses - It is used in the treatment of infection caused by ringworms , pinworms , hookworms.

MOA - It act as a depolarizing , neuromuscular blocking agent causing persistent activation of the parasite's nicotinic receptor.

THIABENDAZOLE

Uses - It is used to treat Strongyloidiasis caused by threadworm.

MOA -  It cause the microtubule aggregation in parasite.

PRAZIQUANTEL

Uses - It is used to treat the infections caused by Trematode.

MOA - It increases the cell membrane permeability to calcium causing paralysis of the parasites.

IT IS CONTRAINDICATED FOR THE TREATMENT OF OCULAR CYSTICERCOSIS BECAUSE OF DESTRUCTION OF THE ORGANISM AND MAY DAMAGE THE ORGAN.

ABENDAZOLE

Uses - It inhibits the microtubule synthesis in parasites.

MOA -  It inhibits the microtubule synthesis in parasites

 IT SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND TO CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEAR OF AGE

NICLOSAMIDE

Uses - It is used to treat tapeworm infections.

MOA - It inhibits the parasites mitochondrial phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate and causes parasite death.

ALCOHOL SHOULD BE AVOIDED WITHIN ONE DAY OF NICLOSAMIDE

SIDE EFFECTS

The adverse effects varies with each drug

But the common side effects includes - 

Nausea

vomiting

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Headache

PROTON THERAPY. (A treatment for Cancers)

Hii..I am Gourav and in this blog I am going to share something about CANCER with you..

National Health profile 2019 revealed that there were nearly 258 cancer patients recorded per lakh of population in 2019 in India , which was earlier 106 cancer patients per lakh population in 2016

By this we can know that how the number of Cancer patients is increasing year by year in India,  in present scenario this problem is not only facing by India but also the whole world is facing such problem.

Let's know more about cancer.....

WHAT IS CANCER ?

In my point of view we cannot say a cancer as a disease rather it is a condition in which the cell divides uncontrollably and abnormally which     results in tissue destruction....

Cancer are of many types like breast cancer, prostate cancer , basal cell cancer , skin cancer, colon cancer etc...

Out to these the lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer are the most common type of cancer.

TREATMENT

many procedures and drugs are available which are commonly used for treating cancer.

Some are local treatment like surgery and Radiation therapy which are used to treat specific tumor.

And some are systemic  treatments which includes chemotherapy , immunotherapy etc...

But in this blog l am going to share something about Proton Therapy , which is a new step in the treatment of cancer with fewer side effects in comparison to other traditional treatment for cancer

PROTON THERAPY :-

Proton therapy is a type of Radiation therapy which is used to treat cancer.

In this therapy the Proton beams are used instead of X rays..

The X rays as radiation therapy is a traditional way to treat cancer..Now a days it is not so much used as it has some side effects and can harm the healthy tissues..

In this therapy the high energy protons are used to destroy the cancer cells.

It is a type of external beam Radiation therapy which painlessly delivers the radiation inside the body through skin from machine outside the body without affecting the healthy tissues..

HOW IT WORKS :-

The protons are deliver by a machine called synchrotron or cyclotron which speeds up protons and the high speed of protons creates high energy.

This high energy Proton can easily penetrate deep inside the body to the targeted side with targeted radiation dose..

In Proton therapy there is less radiation dose outside the tumor it means that it effect less healthy tissues and have fewer Side Effects than the traditional Radiation therapy..

MACHINES USED FOR DELIVERING PROTONS -

Synchrotron and cyclotron is used to deliver the proton beam.

This machines accelerate Proton to speed upto 60% the speed of light and energies of 250 million electron volts.

This high energy Proton are steered by magnet toward the treatment room and then to specific part of the body being treated...

The magnetic field created by the magnet guide the part of the proton being and delivers the proton beam where the energy needed to destroy the tumor cells..

CANCERS IN WHICH PROTON THERAPY IS USED  :-

Proton therapy is being used to treat tumors in in different areas of the body with encouraging early results.

It is mainly used in following cases :-

Lungs cancer

Prostate cancer

Breast cancer

Oesophagus cancer

Rectum cancer

Liver cancer

Skull base carcomas

Paediatric brain tumor

Head and neck cancer

Eye melanomas..

DURATION OF PROTON THERAPY -

Once the tumors location is accurately determined Proton therapy sessions may take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks..

The appointment usually takes 15 to 45 minutes but the actual time the proton therapy takes to deliver the proton beam is only 1- 3 months on average..

PROTON THERAPY IN INDIA :-

Recently India becomes 16th country in the world to offer Proton therapy..

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) is providing this treatment in India.

The entire treatment will cost about 25 to 30 lakh rupees for a patient , which is a very huge amount to be paid by a middle class family in India..So, in India many patients goes for Chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer..

BENEFITS OF PROTON THERAPY :-

In comparison to other Radiation therapy Proton therapy has several benefits :-

- Usually the proton therapy delivers 60% less radiation to Healthy tissues as compared to other Radiation therapy.

- It allows high radiation dose to the tumor which may increase the chances of destroying all tumor cells.

- It has very less Side Effects as compared to other Radiation therapy.

DRAWBACKS OFPROTON THERAPY :-

As we know that there is nothing in the world which is 100% perfect so in that point of view the proton therapy has also some drawbacks -

- It is very much costly as compared to X Ray Radiation therapy.

- Not all cancer can be treated by Proton therapy

- In many places there is in availability of the documents on machines which are used for delivering the proton beam...

DOTS THERAPY (Directly Observed Therapy , Short Course). "A THERAPY FOR TUBERCULOSIS"

TUBERCULOSIS

It is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disorder. It is caused by bacteria Microbacterium tuberculosis.

It is called as " king of diseases " is it is very much difficult to treat.

The bacteria that causes TB are spread when an infected person cough or sneezes.

DOTS THERAPY

DOTS stands for "Directly Observed Treatment Short course)

It was developed by Karel Styblo of International Union against TB and lung diseases in 1970 primarily in Tanzania

TB requires at least six months for the treatment

if treatment is incompleted or discontinued the patient may not be cure and the drug resistance may developed

Directly Observed therapy is a specific strategy which is done to improve adherence by requiring health workers community volunteers for family members to observe and record patients taking each dose.

COMPONENTS OF DOTS

It has five main components :-

- Government Commitment

Here the Government of the particular region establish centralised and prioritised system of TB monitoring recording and tracing.

- Case Detection

The case this section is done by sputum smear microscopy.

- Standardized Treatment

it includes 6 to 9 months therapy which is observed by a Health Care worker or community health worker for at least the first two months.

- Drug Supply

- A standardized recording and reporting system that allows assessment of treatment result.

PHASES OF DOTS THERAPY

There are two phases of DOTS Therapy :-

INTENSIVE PHASE :-

It is of two to three months of duration. in this space the patient has to swallow medicine under the observation of health worker during IP

Medicines are taken 3 times a week on alternative days

If the sputum is negative for bacteria after IP Continuation Phase is started..

CONTINUATION PHASE :-

This phase is of 4 to 5 months duration.

Here the patient is provided with a weekly blister pack to take home.

The medications from the blister pack are taken on alternative days three times a week and in the remaining days vitamin tablet are taken.

The first dose of the weekly blister pack is taken under direct observation of the health worker.

Empty blistera packs are collected to ensure that the medications are taken at home by the patients

DRUG USED IN DIFFERENT PHASES OF DOTS THERAPY

DRUGS TAKEN IN INITIAL PHASE

- ISONIAZID (H)

- RIFAMPICIN (R)

- PYRAZINAMIDE (Z)

- ETHAMBUTOL (E)

- PYRIDOXINE  (Vit. B6) 100 mg/ day

DRUGS TAKEN IN CONTINUATION PHASE

- ISONIAZID

- RIFAMPICIN

- PYRIDOXINE (Vit B6)

OBJECTIVES OF TB TREATMENT

- TO KILL ACTIVELY DIVIDING BACTERIA - RELIEVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS - ISONIAZID

- TO KILL SLOWLY DIVIDING AND PERSISTENT         BACTERIA -  ERADICATE THE DISEASE AND     PREVENT RELAPSE -  RIFAMPICIN AND PYRAZINAMIDE

- TO PREVENT EMERGENCE OF DRUG           RESISTANCE - ETHAMBUTOL

ADVANTAGES OF DOTS THERAPY

- It ensure that patient completes an adequate     regimen

- It lets the health care worker to monitor patient   regularly for side effects and response to therapy

- It helps the health care worker to solve problems that might interrupt the treatment

- It helps in ensuring that the patient takes every dose of medicines and also it helps patient to become noninfectious Sooner.

DISADVANTAGES OF DOTS THERAPY

- It is the time consuming therapy

- It is labour intensive

- It can be perceived as demeaning or punitive

NOOTROPICS ( Smart drugs or Cognitive enhancers)

Firstly we should know what is the meaning of cognition.

COGNITION - It is the process by which knowledge and understanding is developed in the mind.

The healthy mind plays an important role in playing a healthy and happy life..

LETS KNOW ABOUT NOOTROOPICS DRUGS

Nootroopics are drug, supplements and substances that improve the cognitive function particularly executive function,memory creativity or motivation in health individuals.

CLASSIFICATION

1. RACETAM (Piracetam) - It is the first nootropic agent discovered.
2. ACETYLCHOLINEEE PRECURSORS -Lecithin
3. ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITOR - Huperzine A   
4. AMPAKINES (Aniracetam) 
5. HERBALS - 

• Bacopa monneri
• Vinpocetin
• Gingko biloba
• Gotu kola
• 6. OTHER NOOTROPICS
• Pyritinol
• Citicholine
• Sulbutiami
• Noopept

• 7.PRESCRIPTION NOOTROPICS
• Provigil
• Adderall
• Methylphenidate
• Meantine

• HOW NOOTROPICS WORKS

• It act on blood vessels and causes vasodilation due to which the blood flow to the Brain increases

• As more blood flows to cerebrum so more oxygen supplements and glucose is utilised by the brain

• Performing mental activities, adapting to new things ,focusing on work and staying focus all day burns lots of calories by raising blood flow and oxygenation , you immediately experience increase in memory and focus.

• BENEFITS OF NOOTROPICS

• Increasing blood flow
• Enhancing neurotransmission
• Increases stimulation of hormones and enzymes
• Increased growth factor
• It also helps in improving memory and mental health
• It also helps in reducing anxiety.

SIDE EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION NOOTROPICS 

• High blood pressure
• Fast heart rate
• Insomnia
• Trouble with vision
• Addiction