The mucosal route of drug administration is divided into seven membrane surfaces
characterized as , , , ,
, vaginal, and rectal.

Suppositories are sometimes preferred because it evades the that happens in the liver

Vaginal inserts are often compounded with -soluble bases such as to minimize leakage

Rectal suppositories are or . Approximately 2 g and are about 2 to 3 cm long

Vaginal inserts are or shaped. The weigh about to g

Urethral inserts vary depending on whether it is for male or female.
Males - They are in diameter, in length, and in weight
Females - They are in diameter, in length, and in weight

The choice of a particular melting range is dictated by the influence of other components that influence the final melting range of the product. In general, suppository bases melt between and degrees

Hard fat suppository bases are mixtures of of longer-chain fatty acids.

bases are mixtures of hydrophilic materials that in combination are solid at room temperature and yet release the drug by melting, erosion, and dissolution when administered to the patient

drugs are treated as different drugs because they display different properties. An example is which should not be heated over degrees.

Cocoa butter has no , and therefore, cannot emulsify water. Some substances such as chloral hydrate tend to lower the melting point of CB. It may be necessary to add to raise the melting point.

Water-soluble ionized salt forms of drugs that have base partition coefficients should be used when possible with cocoa butter particularly when a is desired.

Newer synthetic triglycerides such as and have properties, do not exhibit like cocoa butter. However, they are more expensive

is a useful suppository base for vaginal inserts. Used for sustained release over a long period

is categorized in the NF as a , plasticizer, solvent and tonicity-adjusting agent

For suppositories in the body, there is either melting or erosion (dissolution). The erosion may be favorable for those who want

PEG bases are incompatible with a large number of drugs, especially those prone to . PEG also interacts with some plastics such as which is used in some prescription vials, which is why suppositories are wrapped in foil or in plastic bags

Several surfactants closely related chemically to polyethylene glycols can be used as suppository vehicles. Examples of these are polyoxyethylene and

One major advantage of substances such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylene stearates as suppository vehicles is their

Cocoa butter melts quickly at body temperature and is with body fluids. This the diffusion of fat-soluble drugs to the affected sites.

is a suitable base for some antiseptics

Glycerinated gelatin is seldom used rectally because of its

:
- Plastic-like mass is prepared by triturating grated cocoa butter and active ingredients in a mortar
- The mass is formed into a ball in the palm of the hands then rolled into a uniform
- The cylinder is then cut into a number of pieces which are rolled to produce a shape

:
- First, melt the suppository base
- Dispersing the drug in the melted base
- Remove from the heat and pour into a supp. mold
- After , the suppositories are removed from the mold
- Metal molds must be !!

:
Mixed mass of suppository base and the drug is forced into a special compression molds

Density factor = Weight of / Weight of

When DF is unknown, you can determine is via double casting method:
- Take -% of base and pour all the drug you need into the mold
- And then take the rest of the base () and fill it to the top
- Allow it to cool down
- Cut off excess base
- Take suppositories out, re-melt and pour again
- Calculating for excess is important because the base will