Classification and types of gels

First scheme

Inorganic hydrogels are two phase systems such as aluminum hydroxide

gel, bentonite magma. (Bentonite has also been used as an ointment base in
about 10%-25% concentration)
Organic gels single phase system and may include such gelling agents such
as carbomer, tragacanth, platibase.

Second scheme

Hydrogels-include ingredients that are dispersible as colloidals or soluble in

water; they include:
a. Organic hydrogels-Pectin paste, tragacanth jelly
b. Natural and synthetic-Methylcellulose, sodium CMC, pluronic
c. Inorganic hydrogel Bentonite gel, Veegum, silica
Organogelsa. Hydrocarbon type- petrolatum, mineral oil/polyethylene base
(plastibase)
b. Animal and vegetable fats- lard, cocoa butter
c. Soap base greases- Aluminum stereate with heavy mineral oil gel
d. Hydrophillic organogels carbowax bases (PEG ointment)
e. Polar
f. Nonionic

Jellies
- a class of gel in which the structural coherent matrix contains high proportion of
liquid, usually water.
-formed by adding thickening agent such as tragacanth and carboxymethyl
cellulose to an aqueous solution of a drug substance
-they are usually subject to bacterial contamination and growth, so most are
preserved with anti microbials.
-must be stored with tight closure because water may evaporate, drying out the
product.
Natural colloids- substances that are self- dispersing in a dispersing medium, such
as Acacia.
Artificial colloids- Materials that requires special treatment for prompt dispersion,
special treatment may involve pulverization to colloidal size with a colloid mill or a
micropulverizer.
Preparation of Magmas and gels

-Some magmas and inorganic gels are prepared by freshly precipitating the disperse
phase to achieve a fine degree of subdivision of particles and a gelatinous character
to those particles.

Desired Gelatinous precipitate-result when solutions of inorganic agents reacts to

form an insoluble chemical having a high attraction for water; the microcrystalline
particles of the precipitate develop; they strongly attract water to yield the desired
gelatinous precipitate.
-other magmas and gels may be prepared by hydrating the inorganic chemical,
which produces the disperse phase and the aqueous medium.
In addition to water, other agents such as propylene glycol, propylene gallate may
be used to enhance gel formation.
Note: Magmas and gels should be shaken before use, to reestablish the uniformity
of the preparation.
Examples of gelling agents
Alginic acid
-obtained from seaweed
- tasteless and odorless
-white to yellowish white fibrous powder
-used in concentration at about 1-5%
-swells in water to about 200-300 times its own weight without dissolving
- premixing with another powder aid or other water miscible liquids aids in
dispersion
Carbomer (carbopol)
-Use in variety of dosage forms, including controlled release tablets, oral
suspension, topical gels
- Fluffy white dry powder with large bulk densities
-

Carbomer 934 highly effective in thick formulation, such as viscous gels.

Carbomer 934b- same as carbomer 934 but intended for oral and mucosal
application and the most widely used in pharmaceutical industry.
Carbomer 940- forms sparkling clear water or hydroalcoholic gels; the most
efficient of all carbopol resins and has a very good nondrip properties

-addition of alcohol to the prepared carbomer gel may decrease viscosity and
clarity, increase in carbomer is required to overcome the loss of viscosity
-gel viscosity also depend on the presence of electrolyte and pH.

-Carbomer preparation are primarily used in the aqueous system

- tends to form clumps of particles when haphazardly dispersed in a polar solvent
-to achieve fast dispersion of liquid, add slowly the finely divided powder to the
vortex of the liquid while stirring it rapidly
Note: The goal is to prevent clumping by slowly sprinkling the powder over the rapid
agitation of water
Neutralizer- added to thicken the gel. NaOH and KOH, used in carbomer dispersion
containing <20% alcohol. While Triethanolamine, will neutralize carbomer resins
containing up to 50% ethanol.
CMC Sodium
-soluble in water at any temperature
-salt of CMC can be dispersed with high shear in cold water before the particles can
hydrate and swell to sticky gel grains agglomerating to lumps.
-once the powder is dispersed the solution is heated at about 60c for faster
dissolution. These dispersion are sensitive to pH changes due to carboxylate group/

Colloidal Silicon Dioxide

-can be used with other ingredints with similar refractive index to prepare
transparent gels
-absorbs large quantity of water without liquefying
-will form gel when combined with 1-dodecanol, prepared by adding silica to the
vehicle and sonicating for about 1 minute and sealing for about 40c overnight.
Gelatin
-dispersed in hot water and cooled to form gel. As an alternative, moisten the
gelatin with 3-5 parts of an organic liquid that will not swell.
Ex: Ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol
Magnesium aluminum silicate or Veegum
-in conc. of about 10% forms a thixotropic gel
-the material is inert and with few incompatibilities, best use above pH 3.5
-may bind to some drugs and limit their bioavailability

Methylcellulose
-long-chain substituted cellulose can be used to form gel in conc. at about 5%
-hydrates slowly in hot water
-anhydrous alcohol or propylene glycol may be used to to prewet powders
-Maximum clarity and fullest hydration and highest viscosity will be obtained when
cooled to 0-10c
Plastibase or jelene
-

Mixture of 5% low MW polyethylene and 95% mineral oil

When cooled below 90% the polymer precipitates and causes gelation

Poloxamer or Pluoric
-

Gels are made from slected forms of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene

copolymers in conc. ranging 15%-50%
Waxy white free flowing graules
Odorless and tastless
Commonly used poloxamers include the: 124 (L-44grade),188(F-68grade),237
(F-87grade),338(F-108rade),407 (F-127 grade). F-flake form, L liquid
form.

PVA
-Used at conc. At about 2.5% jellies in the preparation of various jellies that dry
rapidly when applied to skin
-Borax- good agent that will gel PVA solutions
Povidone
-can be used to prepare gels in concentrations of about 10%
-compatible in solution with wide range of inorganic salts,natural and synthetic
resins.
-use to increase solubility of poorly soluble drugs
Sodium alginate
-can be used to produce gel in conc. at about 10%
-most stable at pH 4-10
-below pH 3, alginic acid is precipitated

-should be preserved (0.1% chloroxylenol or the parabens; benzoic acid- may be

used when preparation is acidic)
Tragacanth gum
-most stable at pH 4-8
-must be preserved with either 0.1% benzoic acid or Na benzoate
-may be sterilize by autoclaving
-tends to form lumps when added to water
Gel Formulation Consideration
-powder polymer when added to water, forms temporary gels that slow dissolution.
Their exterior frequently turns into lumps of solvated particle encasing dry powder,
the globs dissolved very slowly due to high viscosity.
-as hot colloidal particle cools, it loses kinetic energy. With reduced kinetic energy
the gelatin macromolecules are assoc. through dipole-dipole interaction into
elongated aggregates. The size of the chain increases to the extent that the
interstices among the interlacing network f gelatin macromolecules, and the
viscosity increases to that of a semisolid.
-polymer solution tend to be cast as gels, cross linking of dissolved polymer
molecules also cause these solutions to gel. The reaction produce permanent gels
held together by primary valence force. Secondary valence force are responsible in
reversible gel formation.
-inorganic salts will compete with the water in a gel and cause gelation at lower
temp.
-aqueous polymer solution, are stored at approx. 48 hours after dissolution to
promote full hydration and max. viscosity.
Examples of Magmas and Gels
Bentonite Magma,NF
-preparation of 5% benzonite, a native hydrated colloidal hydrated aluminum
silicate, in purified water
- may be prepared mechanically in a blender, or by sprinkling the bentonite.
-insoluble in water
-swells approx. 12 times its volume

-thixotropic gel.
-Suspending agent
Aluminum hydroxide gel
-aqueous suspension of gelatinous precipitate
-prepared by chemical reaction
-Aluminum source of reaction is aluminum chloride, which yields the insoluble AlO 3
and aluminum hydroxide ppt.
-USP permits the addition of sweeteners, flavorants, and antimicrobial agents.
- antacid preparation is white viscous suspension, useful in treatment of
hyperacidity and peptic ulcer.
Disadvantage: constipating effects.
-Al(OH)3 interferes with bioavailability of tetracycline
Milk of Magnesia
-Preparation containing 7-8.5%
-may be prepared by reaction between NaOH and Magnesium sulfate
-product is produce by hyrdration of magnesium oxide
-opaque white viscous preparation from which varying proportions of water separate
on standing.
-should be shaken before use.
-flavoring oils may be added
-possess reasonable acid-neutralizing ability
-Side effect: Diarrhea
Starch glycerite
-used as topical vehicle and protectant
Lubricating Jelly Formula
-use to assist in medical procedures
-aid in insertion of various devices and drugs

-vehicle for some product

Clear Aqueous Gel with Dimethicone
-commonly used as vehicle for extemporaneously compounded products
Poloxamer Gel Base
-

Vehicle for extemporaneous products.

In a combination with isopropyl palmitate and lecithin.
Absorption enhancing topical vehicle.