Pharmaceutical dispersions classification

Disperse systems can be classified in various ways. Classification based on the physical state of the two constituent phases is presented in Table 1. The dispersed phase and the dispersion medium can be either solids, liquids, or gases. Pharmaceutically most important are suspensions, emulsions, and aerosols. (Suspensions and emulsions are described in detail in Secs. IV and V pharmaceutical aerosols are treated in Chapter 14.) A suspension is a solid/liquid dispersion, e.g., a solid drug that is dispersed within a liquid that is a poor solvent for the drug. An emulsion is a li-quid/liquid dispersion in which the two phases are either completely immiscible or saturated with each other. In the case of aerosols, either a liquid (e.g., drug solution) or a solid (e.g., fine drug particles) is dispersed within a gaseous phase. There is no disperse system in which both phases are gases. 

Classification Ethoxylated fatty acid ester Definition PEG ester of tall oil acid Formula RCO-(OCH2CH2)nOH, RCO- rep. fatty acids from tall oil, avg. n = 12 Properties Nonionic Toxicology TSCA listed Uses Emulsifier, dispersant, defoamer for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, household prods., textiles, leather, paper, coatings, water treatment, metalworking fluids, plastics leveling agent for polyester in food-pkg. adhesives in paper/paperboard in contact with aq./fatty foods... 

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