Description

ORA-PLUS Suspension Vehicle is an essential tool for pharmacists and healthcare professionals involved in the compounding of oral suspensions. This pre-formulated, aqueous-based vehicle is designed to streamline the preparation of non-soluble, aqueous dosage forms, providing a reliable medium for extemporaneous compounding.

Key Features

• Advanced Formulation: The suspension vehicle is an off-white, milky translucent liquid, expertly crafted with a blend of suspending agents including microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, xanthan gum, and carrageenan. These components create a gel-like matrix that effectively suspends particles, minimizing settling and ensuring uniformity.

• Buffering System: The formulation includes citric acid, sodium phosphate, and trisodium phosphate, providing a slightly acidic pH of approximately 4.2. This buffering system enhances compatibility with a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

• Preservatives and Additives: It contains methylparaben and potassium sorbate as preservatives, along with calcium sulfate and a dimethicone antifoam emulsion to reduce foaming during agitation. The vehicle is sugar-free, alcohol-free, dye-free, unflavored, and unsweetened, offering a very bland taste that is ideal for versatile use.

Physical Properties

• Viscosity and Osmolality: The thixotropic viscosity ranges from 400 to 6700 cps at 25°C, while osmolality is approximately 157 to 230 mOsm/kg. These properties contribute to its effectiveness as a suspending medium.

• Minimal Foaming: The inclusion of an antifoam agent ensures minimal foaming, even during vigorous shaking, making it suitable for various patient groups, including pediatric and geriatric populations.

Compatibility and Use

ORA-PLUS can be diluted up to 50% with water, syrups like Ora-Sweet or Ora-Sweet SF, flavoring agents, or alcohol, allowing for customization of taste and sweetness. It is commonly used in a 1:1 ratio with Ora-Sweet products to create pleasant-tasting suspensions.

Stability and Storage

The vehicle demonstrates excellent stability at room temperature and when refrigerated, passing the USP preservative effectiveness test <51>. Supported by numerous stability-indicating studies, it is recognized as a gold standard in compounding pharmacies.

Packaging and Precautions

Available in a 473 mL (16 oz) size, ORA-PLUS should be shaken well before use and stored according to recommended guidelines. It is contraindicated for individuals with known hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.

Common Applications

Ideal for compounding oral suspensions for patients who cannot swallow solid dosage forms, ORA-PLUS serves as a versatile and dependable vehicle for pharmacists aiming to meet diverse patient needs effectively.