Dr.

Mehwish Qayyum
Pharm.d
Ms.Drug design and discovery (University of Surrey)
Senior lecturer

M A G M A S A N D G ELS

G els
Are semisolid systems consisting of

either suspensions made up of small

inorganic particles or large organic
molecules in a liquid vehicle
rendered jelly like by the addition of
a GELLING AGENT.
Sometimes called JELLIES

 High degree of physical/chemical

cross linking may be involved

interlacing/
internal friction

Resulting into high viscosity

Responsible for semi-solid state

Term inologies related to gel

Imbibition:
Taking up of a certain amount of liquid without a

measureable increase in volume

Swelling:
Taking up of a liquid by gel with an increase in volume
Syneresis
Form of instability in which separation of solvent phase
occurs coz of elastic contraction of polymeric molecules
Thixotropy
A phenomenon in which if gel is agitated it may become
fluid and remain in solid state only after remaining
undisturbed for a period of time i.e sol
gel transfer

 Examples of Gelling Agents

1. Carbomers 910; 934; 934P; 940;

941;1342
2. Carboxymethylcellulose; natural

gums

*0.5 to 2.0% concentration in

water

Classes ofG el

2 phase systems - separation between the insoluble matter and liquid

vehicle is observed. This type contains inorganic materials also small

particles distribute them in liquid in the form of floccules(inorganic)
(magma)
Example: Al(OH)3 Gel
Single phase gel - consist of organic macromolecules uniformly
distributed throughout the liquid where no apparent boundary is
seen(organic)
Example: Na CMC and Tragacanth Gel(twisted mated strands wound
together by stronger vander waals forces to form crystalline and
amorphous regions)
Continuous phase - commonly aqueous where alcohol and gels may
be use as continuous phase (organogels)
Example: Mineral oil + polyethylene resin = oleaginous ointment base
Hydrogels
Include ing that are dispersible as colloidals they include organic
hydrogels natural and synthetic gums e.g silica and methyle cellulose

Types ofG el
Type 1-Heterogels
Irreversible system
3-dim structure
Held by covalent bonds
Show synerisis
Type 2-Commonly used gels
Heat reversible
Held by h-bonds
Gelling is influenced by pH additives
Show synerisis

 Characteristics of Gels
Gels may be thicken on standing,

forming a THIXOTROPE, and must be

shaken before use to liquefy the gel and
enable pouring Aluminum Hydroxide
Gel
Because of high degree of attraction

between the dispersed phase and water

medium, the gels remain fairly uniform
upon standing and does not readily
settle

Preparation ofgels and

m agm as:

Preparation ofgels and

m agm as

 Preparation of Gels
1.By freshly precipitating the disperse

phase upon reacting an inorganic

agents, a gelatinous precipitate results
.

Example: Preparation of Al(OH)3 gel

is by reacting Al(Cl)3 + Na2CO3
NaHCO3

 Preparation of Gels
2. By direct hydrating the inorganic

material in water
.

Al2O3 + H2O

Al(OH)3

. Examples: Aluminum Hydroxide Gel;

Alugel; Amphogel; Ce-lu-gel; Cremalin;

Hydroxal; Vanogel; Aluminum
Phosphate Gel (Phosphagel) - Antacid

Polyvinyl alcohols are used for gel

preparation in skin formulations
when they are applied these alcohol
evaporate leaving a thin layer on
skin

Exam ples ofG el

Clobetasol propionate- Termovate

Gel
Dermatologic: Antipruritic

Exam ple ofG el

Acetic acid- Aci-jel

Vaginal: Restoration and

maintenance of acidity

Exam ple ofG el

Progesterone- Crinone Gel

Vaginal: Bioadhesive gel;

Progesterone supplement and
replacement

U ses ofgel
Lubricant for catheters
Bases for patch testing
NaCl gel for electrocardiography
Floucinonide Gel for antiinflammatory corticosteriod
Na Fluoride & Phosphoric acid gel
dental care prophylactic
Tretionoin Gel for treatment of acne
Prostaglandin Gel intravaginal

 Gels and Magmas

Are considered colloidal dispersion since they

contain particles of colloidal dimensions

APPROPRIATE NAMES (COLLOIDAL DISPERSION)

SOLS term to designate a dispersion of solid in

either a

liquid, solid or gas dispersion medium

A. Prefix HYDRO water as dispersion medium

so called HYDROSOL
B. Prefix ALCO alcohol as the dispersion
medium so called ALCOSOL
C. AEROSOL dispersion of solid or liquid in
gaseous phase

Examples Of Topical Gels

1. Erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide topical gel

- Benzamycin
2. Clindamycin Topical gel - Cleocin T Topical Gel
3. Benzoyl Peroxide Gel - Desquam-X 10 Gel acne vulgaris
4. Hydroquinone Gel - Solaquin Forte Gel bleach for hyperpigmented skin
5. Salicylic Acid Gel - Compound W Gel keratolytic
6. Desoximetasone Gel - Topicort - antiInflammatory, antipruritic agent

 Examples of Topical Gel

Active Ingredient Proprietary

Gelling agent

Route and

Use
1.Acetic acid

Aci-jel

2.Becaplermin

Tragacanth, acacia

Regranex Gel

Vaginal: restoration and

maintenance of acidity

Na CMC

Dermatologic

3.Benzoly peroxide Desquam-X Gel

Carbomer 940 Acne vulgaris

4.Clindamycin

Cleocin T Gel

Carbomer 934P Acne vulgaris

5.Clobetasol

Termovate Gel

Carbomer 934

Antipruritic

6.Cyanocobalamin Nascobal

Methylcellulose Nasal: hematologic

7.Desoximetasone Topicort Gel

Carbomer 940

Anti-inflammatory;

antipruritic
8.Metronidazole

Metro-Gel

Carbomer 934P Vaginal-bacterial

9.Progesteron

Crinone Gel

Carbomer 934P Progesterone

supplement

10.
Tretinoin

Retin A

Hydroxypropyl
cellulose

Acne vulgaris

 TRANSDERMAL PREPARATIONS
Ointments, creams, gels designed to deliver a drug

systematically by addition of PENETRATION

ENHANCERS to the topical vehicle

Examples of Penetration Enhancers

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, propylene

glycol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, urea, dimethyl
acetamide, sodium lauryl sulfate, poloxamers,
Spans, Tweens, lecithin, and terpenes

Example: PLURONIC lecithin organogel (PLO)

Pluronic (Poloxamer) F127 gel (usually 20% to 30%
concentration)