FirstHope 
History of Indian pharmacy traces ancient Ayurveda, Siddha, and herbal traditions in drug use. The History of the Pharmacy profession in India can be divided into four main phases: ancient history, the colonial period, the post-independence period, and the modern era. Ancient History: Pharmacy in India has roots in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, … Read more
Definition: Rate depends on either: Square of one reactant: $\text{Rate} = k[A]^2$ Product of two reactants: $\text{Rate} = k[A][B]$ Integrated form (when A = B): $\tfrac{1}{[A]_t} = \tfrac{1}{[A]_0} + kt$ Derivation: Separate variables: $\frac{d[A]}{[A]^2} = -k \, dt$ Integrate both sides: $\int_{[A]_0}^{[A]} \frac{d[A]}{[A]^2} = -k \int_{0}^{t} dt$ $\left[ -\frac{1}{[A]} \right]_{[A]_0}^{[A]} = -kt$ $- \frac{1}{[A]} + … Read more
Definition: Photolytic (or photodegradation) is the degradation of drug substances due to exposure to light, especially UV and visible light. It leads to chemical breakdown and loss of potency, or formation of toxic by-products. Mechanism: Light provides energy that excites electrons in drug molecules. Excited-state molecules may undergo bond cleavage, oxidation, or isomerization. Photodegradation can … Read more
Purpose: Accelerated Stability Testing (AST) and Expiration Datingis used to predict the shelf life (expiration date) of a pharmaceutical product by subjecting it to elevated stress conditions (temperature, humidity, light) to speed up degradation reactions. Why It’s Important: Ensures drug efficacy, safety, and quality over time. Helps set expiration dates and storage recommendations. Aids in … Read more
Mechanism: Oxidation is a process involving electron loss, often initiated by oxygen or free radicals. It can be accelerated by light, heat, trace metals, or pH. Basic pathway: $RH + O_2 \;\rightarrow\; ROOH \;\rightarrow\; RO\cdot + OH\cdot$ $\mathrm{RH} + \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{ROOH} \rightarrow \mathrm{RO}^{\bullet} + \mathrm{OH}^{\bullet}$ Commonly Affected Drug Classes: Phenols: epinephrine, morphine Thiols: captopril … Read more
Mechanism of Hydrolysis: Hydrolysis involves nucleophilic attack of water on labile functional groups, breaking chemical bonds such as esters and amides. Example: $\mathrm{R{-}COOR’} + H_{2}O \;\longrightarrow\; \mathrm{R{-}COOH} + \mathrm{R’OH}$ Commonly Affected Drug Classes: Esters: aspirin, procaine Amides: lidocaine, procainamide Lactams: penicillins, cephalosporins Carbamates, imines Stabilization Strategies for Hydrolysis Strategy Explanation pH control (buffering) Adjust formulation … Read more
Specific Acid/Base Catalysis: Catalysis by hydronium (H₃O⁺) or hydroxide (OH⁻) only. Rate is pH-dependent. Rate law: \(\text{Rate} = k_H [H_3O^+] + k_{OH} [OH^-]\) General Acid/Base Catalysis: Catalysis by any proton donor (acid) or proton acceptor (base), e.g., acetate, phosphate, ammonia. Buffers can contribute to catalysis. Rate law (general form): $\text{Rate} = k + k_{AH}[AH] + … Read more
Definition of Dielectric Constant: Dielectric Constant Measure of a solvent’s polarity. High dielectric constant = high polarity (e.g., water = 80). Effect: High ε (e.g., water) stabilizes ionic species and may increase or decrease the rate depending on the mechanism. Solvents with low dielectric constants may: Promote neutral or non-ionic pathways Inhibit ionization-dependent reactions For … Read more
Definition of Ionic Strength: Ionic strength (μ) is a measure of total ion concentration in solution. $\mu = 12 \sum c_i z_i^2$$\mu = \tfrac{1}{2} \sum c_i z_i^2$$\mu = 21 \sum c_i z_i^2$ Where: ci = concentration of ion i zi = charge of ion i Effect: Reactions involving charged species are influenced by ionic strengths: … Read more
Effect of Solvent: Solvents can change the reaction medium, affecting: Solubility of the drug Polarity of the medium Hydrolysis or oxidation rate Some solvents may stabilize or destabilize the drug. Co-solvent Systems: Adding solvents like ethanol can: Change solvation Affect reaction kinetics Modify degradation pathways Examples: Hydrolysis is faster in aqueous solutions. Adding organic solvents … Read more