Influence of Aging on the Physical Characteristics of Ampicillin Suppositories

Abstract

This part of study of in-vitro and in-vivo release of ampicillin suppositories details the effect of aging on release of both anhydrous ampicillin and ampicillin sodium from suppositories of different formulations. It also details the effect of aging on some of the physical characteristics of these suppositories. The prepared suppositories were stored in a refregirato at 4°c and tested fresh and at 80,145 and 240 days old. All the tested suppositories disintegrate within a resonable time (6 -9 min.) and showed nearly no change in the disintegration time after storage for 240 days. Also, aging had no effect on the dissolution time of polyethylene glycol. Aging caused no discoloration or crystal growth of the medicament on the surface of suppositories. Aging had an obvious effect on hardness and decreased the release rate of both anhydrous ampicillin and ampicillin sodium from all the tested suppositories.