Colloidal silica has many important applications in the high-end pharmaceutical field:
1. Pharmaceutical preparations
- Thickening and thixotropic effect: In some semi-solid preparations such as topical gels and plasterings, colloidal silica can increase the viscosity of the preparation, will not flow freely, and is easy to store and transport; When subjected to a certain shear force (such as when smeared), the viscosity will temporarily decrease, making it easy to spread evenly on the skin, and after coating, it can quickly restore the state of high viscosity to avoid the free flow of drugs.
- Adsorption and dispersion: For insoluble drugs, colloidal silica can adsorb drug particles and prevent them from agglomerating. In some oral suspensions, it enables the drug particles to be evenly dispersed in the liquid medium.
- Thickening and thixotropic effect: In some semi-solid preparations such as topical gels and plasterings, colloidal silica can increase the viscosity of the preparation, will not flow freely, and is easy to store and transport; When subjected to a certain shear force (such as when smeared), the viscosity will temporarily decrease, making it easy to spread evenly on the skin, and after coating, it can quickly restore the state of high viscosity to avoid the free flow of drugs.
- Adsorption and dispersion: For insoluble drugs, colloidal silica can adsorb drug particles and prevent them from agglomerating. In some oral suspensions, it enables the drug particles to be evenly dispersed in the liquid medium.
2. Cream
Colloidal silica increases the consistency of the cream, making it easier for the cream to adhere to the skin. At the same time, it can also prevent the settlement and separation of drug ingredients, ensuring the uniform distribution of drugs. During storage, the cream does not separate the oil phase from the water phase due to gravity, ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of the drug dose every time it is used.
Colloidal silica increases the consistency of the cream, making it easier for the cream to adhere to the skin. At the same time, it can also prevent the settlement and separation of drug ingredients, ensuring the uniform distribution of drugs. During storage, the cream does not separate the oil phase from the water phase due to gravity, ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of the drug dose every time it is used.
3. Inhalants
As a flow aid, the drug powder has good fluidity, but also improve the dispersion of the drug powder, so that the drug is better dispersed, more conducive to the absorption of the drug in the lung, and improve the therapeutic effect of the drug.
4, drug packaging materials
- Improve barrier performance: In the production process of pharmaceutical packaging materials (such as plastic bottles, blister packaging, etc.), the addition of colloidal silica can improve the barrier property of the material. Taking plastic bottles as an example, it can effectively block the transmission of small molecules such as oxygen and water vapor, better protect the stability of drugs, especially for some drugs that are easy to oxidize or sensitive to humidity, and can extend the shelf life of drugs.
- Improve barrier performance: In the production process of pharmaceutical packaging materials (such as plastic bottles, blister packaging, etc.), the addition of colloidal silica can improve the barrier property of the material. Taking plastic bottles as an example, it can effectively block the transmission of small molecules such as oxygen and water vapor, better protect the stability of drugs, especially for some drugs that are easy to oxidize or sensitive to humidity, and can extend the shelf life of drugs.