Prescription status of Respiratory tract infection – a survey report

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the Self-medication and non-doctor prescribing of drugs used for respiratory tract infection in developing countries. Problems and factors responsible for this practice in SouthIndia.Methods: The survey was based on the questionnaire method; it was carried out from 1000 respondents at different pharmacies.Results: Literate persons (56%), monthly income between INR.3000- INR.10000 (39%) and also age group between 21-40years (66%) are more prone to self medication. The reason for deviation in self-medication is due to economical condition (57%), lack of time (22%), mild illness (12%), less treatment awareness (9%). Apart from this, some deviations are commonly seen among the prescription following respondents. Most probable respondents are due to financial condition (65%), others are brand name, dosage form, etc.Conclusion: The present study was concluded that pharmacists are one of the key person for prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases and also improving patient compliance. These types of problems can be prevented by patient education should be strengthened.Keywords: Respiratory tract infection, prescription, self-medication, patient counseling, role of pharmacist

Formulation and evaluation of nitrendipine buccal films

A mucoadhesive drug delivery system for systemic delivery of nitrendipine, a calcium channel blocker through buccal route was formulated. Mucoadhesive polymers like hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K-100, hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 and carbopol-934P were used for film fabrication. The films were evaluated for their weight, thickness, percentage moisture absorbed and lost, surface pH, folding endurance, drug content uniformity, In vitro residence time, In vitro release and ex vivo permeation. Based on the evaluation of these results, it was concluded that buccal films made of hydroxylpropylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (5±2% w/v; F-4), which showed moderate drug release (50% w/w at the end of 2 h) and satisfactory film characteristics could be selected as the best among the formulations studied

Niosomes: A prominent tool for transdermal drug delivery

ABSTRACT Now-a-days a tremendous research work is going on to overcome the barrier properties of the skin. Recently niosomes have been reported for enhanced delivery of drugs. Niosomes are globular submicroscopic vesicles composed of nonionic surfactants. Meloxicam is used as model drug in the present study. Meloxicam entrapped niosomes were prepared by Thin film hydration technique using Nonionic surfactants (Span-80, Span-60, Tween-80 and Tween-60), Cholesterol and drug in different ratios. The prepared niosomes were characterized for size, shape, entrapment efficiency, In-Vitro drug release and In-Vivo performance. The niosomes appeared as round in shape and size range was found to be 1.54 -2.64µm. Among all formulations FS80 4 shows high entrapment efficiency and consistent drug release pattern. In-Vivo anti inflammatory activity of niosomal gel prepared with FS80 4 was studied and compared with anti inflammatory activity of conventional meloxicam gel adopting Carrageenan induced rat paw edema method. The studies were demonstrated that niosomal gel was shown better pharmacological activity than the conventional meloxicam gel. Based on the results it was concluded that niosomal preparation offers more advantages than the conventional preparation

Preliminary evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Triphala

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 3 (4) 2007: pp. 419-42