Vaginal solutions containers

Vaginal films are produced with polymers such as polyacrylates, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and cellulose derivatives. Proper combination of these polymer is essential to achieve adequate mucoadhesion and optimal drug release profiles. Vaginal films can be produced by casting [132], in which polymer solutions containing the active substance(s) are poured into adequate molds and dried until a thin, solid, and flexible polymeric sheet is formed. Afterward, the sheet is cut in small pieces (individual films) and peeled off. 

Vaginal solutions usually contain active substances dissolved in water and are intended for a local effect. The Ph. Eur. describes solutions as well as emulsions and suspensions. Only solutions are seen in pharmacy practice and just occasionally such as lactic acid solutions, with or without sodium lactate, iodinated povidone (povidone-iodine) solutions and chlorhexidine digluconate solutions. Accordingly, this chapter discusses the solutions only. Solutions may be prepared either ready-for-use, or as a concentrate to be diluted before use, or as a tablet to be dissolved in water shortly before use. 

Sterile vaginal solutions are packaged in a single-dose container that can be sterilised, for instance glass (preferably class I, eventually class II) or plastic (polypropylene). Preserved concentrates, intended to be diluted before use, are usually packaged in a container of glass (class III) or plastic (polypropylene, polyethylene) meant for multiple dosing. 

Povidone-iodine is a macromolecular complex (poly-I(I-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) that is used as an iodophor. It is formulated as a 10% applicator solution, a 2% cleansing solution, and in many topical formulations, for example aerosol sprays, aerosol foams, vaginal gels, ointments, and mouthwashes. Because it contains very little free iodine (less than 1 ppm in a 10% solution) its antibacterial effectiveness is only moderate compared with that of a pure solution of iodine. 

Solutions (lavages) and foams are liquid preparations. The foams differ from the solutions in the presence of a suitable propellant, in the formulation, and the type of container, a pressurized delivery device. Plasma concentration profiles obtained after solution administration are characterized by a burst effect followed by a rapid decrease below therapeutic levels, due to the low residence time of the formulation in the vaginal cavity. Such preparations are designed to achieve a local effect particularly in case of inflammations or infections caused by bacteria or yeasts (anaerobic bacteria or Candida species). Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) foam is used as a contraceptive and against sexually transmitted diseases [19]. 

Econazole. Econazole and isoconazole are structurally very similar to miconazole they differ only in the pattern of chlorine substitution on the terminal phenyl ring. Chemically, econazole (Fig. 2, 7b) is closely related to miconazole. The clinical indications are almost identical. Econazole [27220-47-9] is available as a vaginal cream and ovule containing respectively 1% and 150 mg econazole nitrate. For mycoses of the skin, several forms are available including cream, spray-powder, spray-solution, and lotion. All these formulations contain 1% econazole nitrate [68797-31-9]. The dosages are practically identical to those of miconazole. 

In practice, a swab of vaginal discharge fluid is collected by the gynecologist during a routine visit or after complaints by the patient and placed in a vial and capped. The addition of an alkaline solution to the sample enhances the volatilization of amines even at room temperature, and headspace vapors containing volatile amines, if present, may be transferred to an IMS analyzer for quantitative determination. After about 10 s, the swab can be heated rapidly, and in some cases also treated with a few drops of a dilute acid solution, and headspace vapors can be sampled for other... 

Infectious materials include semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids. They also include any unfixed tissue or organ, other than intact skin, from a human (living or dead) any human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV-) containing cell or tissue cultures organ culture and HIV or hepatitis- (HBV-) containing culture media or other solutions as well as blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV. 

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