Glossary and Definitions
Distribution:
Drug distribution is the process by which a drug reversibly leaves the blood stream and
enters the interstitium (extracellular fluid) and/or the cells of the tissues. The
delivery of a drug from the plasma to the interstitium primarily depends on blood flow,
capillary permeability, the degree of binding of the drug to plasma and tissue proteins,
and the relative hydrophobicity of the drug.
Excipient:
Vehicle. A more or less inert substance added in a prescription as a diluent or vehicle
or to give form or consistency when the remedy is given in pill form; simple syrup,
aromatic powder, honey, and various elixirs are examples.
Gel:
A colloidal state in which the molecules of the dispersed phase form a three-dimensional
structure in the continuous phase to produce a semisolid material such as a jelly. For
example, a warm, dilute(2 percent) solution of gelatin(a protein mixture) forms, on
cooling, a stiff gel in which the molecules of the continuous phase are trapped in the
holes of a "brush-heap" like structure of the gelatin. Administered orally.
Microemulsion:
Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable, optically transparent, isotropic mixtures of
a biphasic oil-water system stabilized with surfactants. The diameter of droplets in a
microemulsion may be in the range of 100 A to 1000 A. Microemulsion may be formed
spontaneously by agitating the oil and water phases with carefully selected surfactants.
The type of emulsion produced depends upon the properties of the oil and surfactants
utilized.
Ointment:
Semisolid preparations intended for topical application. Most ointments are applied to
the skin, although they may also be administered ophtalmically, nasally, aurally,
rectally, or vaginally. With a few exceptions, ointments are applied for their local
effect on the tissue membrane rather than for systematic effects.
Professional skills:
Body of systematic scientific knowledge, manual dexterity and deftness, proficiency,
resulting from training, practice and experience particular of an individual who has
completed the formal education and examination required for membership in a profession.
Water:
A clear, colorless, odorless and tasteless liquid, H2O that is essential for most plant
and animal life and is most widely used of all solvents. Any of the various forms of
water, as rain. A bodily fluid, as urine, perspiration or tears. Any of various liquids
that contain and somewhat resemble water. Naturally occurring water exerts its solvent
effect on most substances it contacts and thus is impure and contains varying amounts of
dissolved inorganic salts, usually sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium iron, chlorides,
sulfates and bicarbonates as well as dissolved and undissolved organic matter and
microorganisms.
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