Surfactants used to enhance dissolution can have which potential drawback?

Prepare for the Pharmaceutics II Exam with interactive quizzes. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations to enhance your understanding and readiness for the exam. Excel in your studies with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Surfactants used to enhance dissolution can have which potential drawback?

Explanation:
Surfactants boost dissolution by lowering surface tension and forming micelles that solubilize poorly soluble drugs, improving wetting and release. But they can also irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, especially at higher concentrations or with certain types (for example, some anionic surfactants). This membrane-disrupting or mucous-layer–thinning effect can lead to GI irritation, discomfort, or nausea, which is the potential drawback to weigh when formulating. The other options describe benefits (faster dissolution, taste masking) or less relevant effects and thus are not drawbacks.

Surfactants boost dissolution by lowering surface tension and forming micelles that solubilize poorly soluble drugs, improving wetting and release. But they can also irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, especially at higher concentrations or with certain types (for example, some anionic surfactants). This membrane-disrupting or mucous-layer–thinning effect can lead to GI irritation, discomfort, or nausea, which is the potential drawback to weigh when formulating. The other options describe benefits (faster dissolution, taste masking) or less relevant effects and thus are not drawbacks.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy