Unit dose

In hospitals and long-term cate units, unit-dose packages ate used mote and mote. This system aHows better control of the dispensed dmgs in institutional settings and precludes the dispensing of larger numbers of doses than needed. 

Because the regions of the alimentary tract vary widely ia pH and chemical composition, many different commercial formulations of barium sulfate are available. The final preparations of varyiag viscosity, density, and formulation stabiUty levels are controlled by the different size, shape, uniformity and concentration of barium sulfate particles and the presence of additives. The most important additives are suspending and dispersiag agents used to maintain the suspension stabiUty. Commercial preparations of barium sulfate iaclude bulk and unit-dose powders and suspensions and principal manufacturers are E-Z-EM (Westbury, New York), Lafayette-Pharmacol, Inc. (Lafayette, Indiana), and Picker International, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio). 

There are three general types of radiopharmaceuticals elemental radionucHdes or simple compounds, radionucHde complexes, and radiolabeled biologically active molecules. Among the first type are radionucHdes in their elemental form such as Kr and Xe or Xe, and simple aqueous radionucHde solutions such as or I-iodide, Tl-thaUous chloride, Rb-mbidium(I) chloride [14391-63-0] Sr-strontium(II) chloride, and Tc-pertechnetate. These radiopharmaceuticals are either used as obtained from the manufacturer in a unit dose, ie, one dose for one patient, or dispensed at the hospital from a stock solution that is obtained as needed from a chromatographic generator provided by the manufacturer. 

Radiopharmaceuticals may be sold either direcdy or through nuclear pharmacies. These entities, some of which are owned by manufacturers, provide radiopharmaceuticals in unit dose form. In the United States, both MaUinckrodt and Amersham own nuclear pharmacies in many cities. In addition the market is also served by Syncor, an independent nuclear pharmacy that has a nonexclusive strategic aUiance with Du Pont Pharma. 

BM Hitachi 737 300 1,200 23 3-20 30,37 AMW,P sampling option unit dose dry tablet reagent... 

As found in commerce, the cinchona alkaloids are not necessarily pure quinidine, for example, may contain up to 30 per cent, of dihydroquinidine. Working with carefully pmdfied specimens of the four chief cinchona alkaloids and their dihydro-derivatives, Buttle, Henry and Trevan found the results recorded in the table (p. 471) in tests with malaria in canaries. The figures in brackets represent the dose of quinine necessary to produce the same degree of protection as unit dose of the alkaloid named. To the results are also added the data found later by the same authors, with Solomon and Gibbs, for some of the transformation products (p. 449) of quinine and quinidine. The Roman numeral at the head of each column refers to the type formula on p. 470. 

Slope factor = risk per unit dose = risk per mg/kg-day... 

Some hospitals are using a bar code scanner in the administration of unit dose drugs. To use this system, a bar code is placed on the patient s hospital identification band when the patient is admitted to the hospital. The bar codes, along with bar codes on the drug unit dose packages, are used to identify the patient and to record and charge routine and PRN dm. The scanner also keeps an ongoing inventory of controlled substances, which eliminates the need for narcotic counts at the end of each shift. 

If the nurse is responsible for administering the medication by nebulization, it is important to place the patient in a location where he can sit comfortably for 10 to 15 minutes. The compressor is plugged in and the medication mixed as directed, or the prepared unit dose vial is emptied into the nebulizer. Different types of medication are not mixed without checking with the physician or the pharmacist. The mask or mouthpiece is assembled and the tubing connected to the compressor. The patient is placed in a comfortable, upright position with the mask over the nose and mouth. The mask must fit properly so that the mist does not flow up into the eyes. If using a mouthpiece instead of a mask, have the patient place the mouthpiece into the mouth. The compressor is turned on and the patient instructed to take slow, deep breaths. If possible, the patient should hold his breath for 10 seconds before slowly exhaling. The treatment is continued until the medication chamber is empty. After treatment, the mask is washed with hot, soapy water, rinsed well, and allowed to air dry. 

Dosage frequency, length of treatment are individualized ranges 5000-10,000 units dose IM... 

In cases of severe acute asthmatic attacks, bronchodilators and steroids for direct dehveiy to the lungs may be needed in large doses. This is achieved by direct inhalation via a nebulizer device this converts a liquid into a mist or fine spray. The dmg is diluted in small volumes of Water for Injections BP before loading into the reservoir of the machine. This vehicle must be sterile and preservative-fiee and is therefore prepared as a terminally sterilized unit dose in polyethylene nebules. 

Tvne of radiation Quality factor (O) Absorbed dose equal to a unit dose equivalent ... 

Accumulation Pharmacological response(s) Unit-dose precision... 

Fig. 10 Blood level versus time profile simulations following (A) a single dose representing 100 units of a drug from a rapidly releasing dosage (B) Three divided ddoses of 33 units each from the same rapidly releasing product and (C) a single 100 unit dose from an optimized controlled-release dosage form. A hypothetical effective level (80 units) and toxic level (160 units) are depicted. The dosing units are typically in mg and the blood level concentration units in pg or ng.

Multidose Packaging of Unpreserved Topical Drops. In some cases it may be desirable to provide a product without an antimicrobial preservative for patients who exhibit sensitivity to various preservatives. This can be accomplished with the use of unit dose containers, but these usually contain more than that... 

Spiros n/a 1, 16, or 30 Unit dose blister Mechanical Turbulence, impaction,... 

Fig. 7 Unit dose collection (A) teflon tube (B) glass samplers.

Strip packages represent an alternative form of packaging for unit-dose medication. Strips can be produced from single- or multiple-ply laminated materials provided the two inner plies can be sealed by heat or pressure (e.g., cold self-adhesive seals). Materials can range from relatively permeable plies to those that incorporate a foil ply of sufficient thickness and effectiveness of seal so that an individual hermetic seal is produced for each dosage. Strip packages are produced at lower speeds and occupy greater volume than blisters. 

Tamper-resistant packaging Light-resistant container Well-closed container Tight container Hermetic container Single-unit container Single-dose container Unit-dose container Unit-of-use container Multiple-use container... 

Chapter 1146 Packaging Practice—Repackaging a Single, Solid, Oral Drug Product into a Unit Dose Container... 

Half-unit doses are discouraged for tablets. Where it is possible to justify a half-unit dosage, then additional information will be required for dose uniformity within the halves and on the breakability of the dosage form in patient use conditions. 

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