Examples of Emulsion Preparations

Example 1 – Cod Liver Oil Emulsion (oral route)

Formula

Cod Liver Oil 60ml

Chloroform 0.4ml

Cinnamon water to 200ml

Actions and Uses: A rich source of vitamin A and D

Formulation notes: Cod liver oil is a fixed oil that requires the addition of acacia gum as an emulsifying
agent. The proportions are 4 oil : 2 water : 1 gum. Therefore, 60ml cod liver oil, 30ml of cinnamon and
15g of acacia gum will be used to prepare the primary emulsion. Cinnamon water acts as a flavoring
agent and vehicle. It may need to be prepared from concentrated cinnamon water, at a dilution of 1 part
to 39 parts of water. Since 60ml of the emulsion is cod liver oil, it is not necessary to prepare 200ml,
160ml is adequate. Therefore, 4ml of concentrated cinnamon water will be diluted to 160ml with water.
Chloroform is dense and only slowly soluble and acts as a preservative.

Method of Preparation: Use the dry gum method. Weigh 15g acacia, measure 60ml of cod liver oil and
30ml of cinnamon water, which will be used to create the primary emulsion. Place the cod liver oil in a
dry, flat bottomed mortar. Add the acacia and mix very lightly and briefly. Immediately add the
cinnamon water, mixing vigorously until a clicking sound is heard and a white primary emulsion is
formed. Continue mixing for a few minutes to stabilize the primary emulsion. Scrape the mortar and
pestle with a spatula to ensure that all the oil is incorporated. Add the chloroform by pipette and mix
thoroughly. Gradually add most of the reminder of the cinnamon water to the emulsion in the mortar,
stirring well between additions. Transfer the emulsion to a 200ml measure, rinsing the mortar adding
these washings to the measure. Make up to volume with cinnamon water and pack in an amber
medicine bottle with a child-resistant closure. Polish and label the bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon
with the medicine.

Shelf life and storage: Store in a cool, dry place. It is recently prepared, therefore a 2-3 weeks is
applicable.

Advice and labeling: This is an unofficial formula, and should be labeled ‘Cod liver oil 30%v/v emulsion’,
‘Shake well before use’. A normal dose is 10ml three times a day with or after food.

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Example 2 – Liquid Paraffin Oral Emulsion BP 1980

Formula

Liquid Paraffin 50ml

Vanillin 50g

Chloroform 0.25ml

Benzoic acid solution 2ml

Methylcellulose 20 2g

Saccharin sodium 5mg

Water to 100ml

Actions and Uses: A lubricant laxative for chronic constipation

Formulation Notes: Methylcellulose 20 at a concentration of 2% acts as an emulsifying agent for the

mineral oil liquid paraffin. A primary emulsion is not required. Benzoic acid and chloroform act as
preservatives and vanillin and saccharin sodium act as flavoring and sweetening agent respectively. The
amount of saccharin sodium is not weighable on a Class B dispensing balance and will be obtained by
trituration using water as the diluent (since this is the vehicle for the emulsion).

Trituration for sodium saccharin:

Saccharin sodium 100mg

Water to 100ml

5ml of water will contain the 5mg of saccharin sodium.

Method of Preparation: Firstly, prepare the mucilage by mixing the methylcellulose 20 with about six
times its weight of boiling water and allow to stand for 30 minutes to hydrate. Add an equal weight
(about 15g) of ice and stir mechanically until the mucilage is homogenous. Dissolve the vanillin in the
benzoic acid solution and chloroform. Add this mixture to the mucilage and stir for 5 minutes. Make up
the saccharin sodium trituration and still in the appropriate volume of solution in the mucilage. Make
the volume of the mucilage up to 50ml, taking care to ensure that there is no entrapped air in the
mucilage. Make the emulsion by mixing together 50ml of liquid paraffin and 50ml of the prepared
mucilage with constant stirring. The emulsion is more stable if passed through a hand homogenizer.
Pack in an amber medicine bottle with a child resistant closure. Shake well to ensure that the emulsion
is thoroughly mixed. Polish and label the bottle and give a 5ml medicine spoon with the medicine.

Shelf life and storage: Store in a cool, dry place. This is an official preparation and should remain stable
on storage, however a 4-week expiry date is recommended.

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Advice and labeling: ‘Shake well before use’. The emulsion should not be take within 30 minutes of
meal times and preferably on an empty stomach. The importance of fiber and fluid intake in the diet
should be emphasized.

Example 3 – Oily Calamine Lotion BP 1980

Formula

Calamine 5g

Wool fat 1g

Oleic acid 0.5ml

Arachis oil 50ml

Calcium hydroxide solution to 100ml

Actions and Uses: Soothing lotion for the treatment of eczema, sunburn and other inflammatory
conditions

Formulation Notes: The emulsifying agent for the arachis oil is the soap calcium oleate produced from
the calcium hydroxide and oleic acid when they are shaken together. Wool fat is included as an emulsion
stabilizer. This is a w/o emulsion.

Method of preparation: The wool fat, oleic acid, and arachis oil should be warmed together in an
evaporating basin (using a water bath or heating block) until melted. Mix them thoroughly. The calamine
should be sieved and weighed and placed on a warm ointment tile. Add a little of the oily mixture and
rub in with a large spatula until smooth. Gradually add more of the oily mixture until it is fluid. Transfer
back to the evaporating basin and still to evenly distribute the calamine powder. Pour into a previously
tared, amber ribbed bottle and add the calcium hydroxide solution to the bottle in small amounts,
shaking well between additions. Make up to volume and seal with a child resistant closure. Polish and
label the bottle.

Shelf life and storage: Store in a cool, dry place. It is unpreserved, therefore a shelf life of 2-3 weeks is
applicable.

Advice and labeling: ‘Shake well before use’ and ‘For external use only’.