Short Answer
1. What are suppositories?
• Solid dosage forms intended for insertion into body orifices where they melt,
soften, or dissolve to exert a local or systemic effect.
2. What are the two primary pharmacological actions of suppositories?
• Local and systemic actions.
3. Which veins bypass first-pass metabolism in rectal drug absorption?
• The middle and inferior hemorrhoid veins.
4. What is the pH of rectal fluids?
• Neutral, around 7-8.
5. Why is cocoa butter not widely used for vaginal or urethral suppositories?
• It tends to leak from these orifices.
Long Answer
6. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using suppositories.
• Advantages: Suitable for patients who cannot swallow, bypass stomach pH,
avoid first-pass metabolism.
• Disadvantages: Poor acceptability, variable absorption, not suitable for
diarrhea patients.
7. Explain the physiological factors affecting rectal absorption of drugs.
• Includes quantity of rectal fluid, rectal content, pH of rectal fluid, and
circulation route (bypassing liver for certain veins).
8. Describe the method of molding (fusion) for preparing suppositories.
• Involves melting the base, incorporating medicaments, pouring into molds,
cooling, and removing the formed suppositories.
True/False
9. Rectal suppositories are the most common route for systemic drug
administration.
• False
10. Cocoa butter is a good base for suppositories because it is solid at room
temperature but melts at body temperature.
• True
11. Drugs absorbed through the rectum always undergo first-pass metabolism.
• False
12. The solubility of the drug in the base does not affect the rate of drug release
from a suppository.
• False
13. Suppositories can be hand-shaped using a rolling method.
• True
Multiple Choice
14. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of suppositories?
A) Suitable for vomiting patients
B) Bypasses stomach pH
C) Rapid drug absorption
D) Avoids first-pass metabolism
Answer: C) Rapid drug absorption
15. Which of the following is a disadvantage of using cocoa butter as a
suppository base?
A) High melting point
B) Poor water absorption
C) Causes irritation
D) Stable in hot climates
Answer: B) Poor water absorption
16. What is the typical weight of an adult rectal suppository?
A) 1 g
B) 2 g
C) 3 g
D) 5 g
Answer: B) 2 g
17. Which base is prone to polymorphism, causing changes in melting point if
overheated?
A) Witepsol
B) Macrogols
C) Cocoa butter
D) Glycerinated gelatin
Answer: C) Cocoa butter
18. Which method is suitable for heat-labile drugs in suppository preparation?
A) Molding method
B) Cold compression
C) Rolling method
D) Hand-shaping
Answer: B) Cold compression
Enumeration
19. List three uses of rectal suppositories.
20. Treat constipation
21. Relieve pain and irritation from hemorrhoids
22. Systemic drug delivery for drugs like paracetamol
23. Enumerate three physicochemical factors affecting drug absorption from
suppositories.
24. Drug solubility in the vehicle
25. Particle size of the drug
26. Drug concentration in the base
27. List two advantages of synthetic bases over natural bases for suppositories.
28. Do not exhibit polymorphism
29. Stable over a range of temperatures
30. What are the steps of the rolling method in suppository preparation?
31. Make drug into a fine powder
32. Knead the drug into the base
33. Roll the mixture into rods
34. Cut into pieces and shape
True/False
23. Macrogols-based suppositories dissolve at body temperature.
• False (They dissolve, not melt, at a temperature higher than body temperature).
24. An ideal suppository base should be stable at room temperature.
• True
25. Rectal absorption of a drug is faster if the rectum is empty.
• True
26. Water-soluble bases generally have better bioavailability than fatty bases.
• False
Multiple Choice
27. Which suppository base can be irritating to the rectal mucosa due to its
hygroscopic nature?
A) Cocoa butter
B) Glycerinated gelatin
C) Witepsol
D) Macrogols
Answer: B) Glycerinated gelatin
28. Which of the following is an example of a drug with systemic action when
administered via a suppository?
A) Paracetamol
B) Hydrocortisone
C) Benzocaine
D) Boric acid
Answer: A) Paracetamol
29. Which type of suppository is most frequently used for hemorrhoids?
A) Vaginal
B) Urethral
C) Rectal
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Rectal
30. The most common particle size effect on drug absorption from suppositories
is:
A) Smaller particle size decreases absorption.
B) Smaller particle size increases absorption.
C) Particle size has no effect.
D) Larger particle size increases absorption.
Answer: B) Smaller particle size increases absorption.
Short Answer
31. What is polymorphism in cocoa butter?
• The ability of cocoa butter to exist in different crystalline forms with different
melting points.
32. Why is lubrication used in the molding process?
• To help in releasing the suppository from the mold without damaging the surface.
33. What are hydrophilic bases?
• Water-soluble or water-miscible bases used in suppositories, such as glycerinated
gelatin and polyethylene glycol.
34. How does drug concentration affect rectal absorption?
• Higher drug concentrations can increase absorption up to a certain point before
leveling off.
35. What is the primary drawback of glycerinated gelatin suppositories?
• Hygroscopic nature leading to moisture absorption and rectal irritation.
Enumeration
36. List four properties of an ideal suppository base.
37. Melts at body temperature
38. Non-toxic and non-irritant
39. Compatible with a wide range of drugs
40. Easily molded and removed from the mold
41. Name three common suppository preparation methods.
42. Molding (fusion) method
43. Rolling (hand-shaping) method
44. Cold compression method
45. What are two advantages of using macrogols as a suppository base?
46. No laxative effect
47. Melts above body temperature, allowing room temperature storage
48. Enumerate two methods of quality control for suppositories.
49. Weight uniformity test
50. Melting range test
True/False
40. A suppository base that melts too quickly can cause drug leakage.
• True
41. Fatty bases are more suitable for water-soluble drugs.
• False
42. Synthetic bases like witepsol are more resistant to oxidation than cocoa
butter.
• True
Multiple Choice
43. Which suppository base is rarely used due to its tendency to become rancid?
A) Glycerinated gelatin
B) Witepsol
C) Cocoa butter
D) Polyethylene glycol
Answer: C) Cocoa butter
44. Which of the following is a test for measuring the hardness of suppositories?
A) Weight uniformity
B) Breaking test
C) Dissolution test
D) Melting range test
Answer: B) Breaking test
45. What is the role of surfactants in suppository formulations?
A) Improve taste
B) Enhance water absorption
C) Increase the melting point
D) Prevent oxidation
Answer: B) Enhance water absorption
Short Answer
46. Why is the cold compression method used for heat-labile drugs?
• It avoids heat exposure, preserving the drug’s stability.
47. What is the typical size for a vaginal suppository?
• About 5 cm, with a globular, oviform, or cone shape.
48. Why are suppositories advantageous for post-operative patients?
• They bypass the need for oral administration, which may not be possible due to
nausea or surgical restrictions.
49. What is the melting point range of cocoa butter?
• Between 31-34°C.
50. How does particle size affect drug release from a suppository?
• Smaller particles dissolve
Here are additional questions, including more examples of enumeration, short and long
answers, true/false, and multiple-choice questions, along with their answers:
Short Answer
51. What is the typical weight of a urethral suppository for males?
• 4g
52. Why is the rectal route often used when the oral route is inadvisable?
• It bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and avoids first-pass metabolism.
53. What is polymorphism in the context of cocoa butter?
• The ability of cocoa butter to exist in different crystalline forms, affecting its
melting point.
54. What is the purpose of using surfactants in suppositories?
• To increase the water absorption capacity of the suppository base.
55. Why is glycerinated gelatin suitable for vaginal suppositories?
• It dissolves slowly, providing a prolonged release of the active ingredient.
Long Answer
56. Describe the factors affecting drug absorption from the rectum.
• Physiological factors: Includes the small quantity of rectal fluid, pH (7-8), and
circulation route, which bypasses first-pass metabolism for certain veins.
• Physicochemical factors: Include drug solubility in the base, particle size,
concentration, and degree of ionization.
• Formulation factors: Such as the nature of the base and its spreading capacity.
57. Explain the disadvantages of using glycerinated gelatin as a base for
suppositories.
• Glycerinated gelatin is hygroscopic, causing moisture absorption and potential
irritation. It can also have unpredictable dissolution times and cause a laxative effect in
the rectum due to osmosis.
58. Describe the preparation method of compression molding for suppositories.
• A cold mass of the base and drug is compressed into molds under pressure,
creating more elegant suppositories with fewer chances for sedimentation of solids.
Enumeration
59. List four types of bases used in suppositories.
60. Oleaginous (fatty) bases like cocoa butter
61. Hydrophilic (water-soluble) bases like glycerinated gelatin
62. Synthetic bases like witepsol
63. Miscellaneous bases, combinations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic
substances
64. Enumerate three advantages of cocoa butter as a suppository base.
65. Non-irritating to sensitive tissues
66. Melts at body temperature
67. Miscible with many ingredients
68. List three methods of suppository preparation.
69. Molding (fusion) method
70. Rolling (hand-shaping) method
71. Cold compression method
72. List three physiological factors that influence rectal absorption of drugs.
73. Quantity of rectal fluid
74. pH of rectal fluid
75. Circulation route
76. Enumerate the steps in the molding (fusion) method for suppository
preparation.
77. Melt the base
78. Incorporate medicaments
79. Pour the mixture into molds
80. Allow the suppositories to cool
81. Remove the formed suppositories from the molds
True/False
64. The rectal route is not suitable for patients suffering from severe nausea or
vomiting.
• False
65. Suppositories provide a faster onset of action compared to oral medication.
• False (Absorption can be slow and incomplete.)
66. Cocoa butter melts at body temperature, making it suitable for suppository
use.
• True
67. The smaller the drug particles in a suppository, the slower the absorption.
• False (Smaller particles dissolve faster, leading to quicker absorption.)
68. Water-soluble bases, like polyethylene glycol, have a laxative effect.
• False (Glycerinated gelatin has a laxative effect, not PEG.)
69. Suppositories are commonly used for systemic drug delivery via the rectal
route.
• True
Multiple Choice
70. Which of the following is NOT a physiologic factor affecting rectal drug
absorption?
A) Circulation route
B) pH of rectal fluid
C) Drug solubility in the base
D) Quantity of rectal fluid
Answer: C) Drug solubility in the base
71. Which of the following is an advantage of polyethylene glycol (PEG)
suppositories?
A) Low melting point
B) Melts at body temperature
C) Contracts on cooling, requiring no lubricant
D) Provides rapid drug release
Answer: C) Contracts on cooling, requiring no lubricant
72. Which of the following tests measures the time it takes for a suppository to
completely melt at body temperature?
A) Weight uniformity test
B) Melting range test
C) Dissolution test
D) Hardness test
Answer: B) Melting range test
73. What is the role of antioxidants in suppository formulations?
A) Improve bioavailability
B) Prevent drug degradation
C) Increase absorption rate
D) Enhance solubility
Answer: B) Prevent drug degradation
74. Which of the following suppository bases is known for its water-absorbing
capacity?
A) Cocoa butter
B) Glycerinated gelatin
C) Witepsol
D) PEG
Answer: B) Glycerinated gelatin
75. Which of the following disadvantages is associated with cocoa butter as a
suppository base?
A) It is inexpensive.
B) It is prone to oxidation and becoming rancid.
C) It is stable at high temperatures.
D) It is resistant to polymorphism.
Answer: B) It is prone to oxidation and becoming rancid.
76. Which of the following suppository bases is best suited for heat-sensitive
medications?
A) Witepsol
B) Glycerinated gelatin
C) Cocoa butter
D) Cold-compressed base
Answer: D) Cold-compressed base
Short Answer
77. What is the purpose of using solidifying agents like beeswax in suppository
formulations?
• To increase the melting point of bases like cocoa butter.
78. Why is the pH of rectal fluids important for drug absorption?
• It affects the ionization of the drug, which influences its absorption rate.
79. What are synthetic bases like witepsol used for in suppository formulations?
• They are used as an alternative to natural bases because they do not exhibit
polymorphism and have stable melting points.
80. What is the main disadvantage of using glycerinated gelatin for rectal
suppositories?
• It can cause irritation due to its hygroscopic nature and laxative effect.
Enumeration
81. List two advantages of PEG-based suppositories.
82. Stable at room temperature
83. Less prone to microbial contamination
84. Enumerate two disadvantages of synthetic suppository bases.
85. More expensive than natural bases
86. Can be brittle if cooled too quickly
87. List three common quality control tests for suppositories.
88. Weight uniformity test
89. Melting range test
90. Dissolution test
True/False
84. Water-soluble bases dissolve rather than melt in body fluids.
• True
85. Suppositories made from hydrophilic bases like PEG can be stored at room
temperature.
• True
86. Cocoa butter suppositories must be refrigerated to avoid melting.
• True
Multiple Choice
87. Which of the following bases requires refrigeration to maintain stability?
A) Cocoa butter
B) PEG
C) Witepsol
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Cocoa butter
88. Which of the following factors enhances rectal drug absorption?
A) High pH of rectal fluids
B) Large particle size of the drug
C) Empty rectum
D) Strong buffering capacity of rectal fluid
Answer: C) Empty rectum
89. Which of the following is a common problem with hand-shaped
suppositories?
A) Air entrapment
B) Polymorphism
C) Incompatibility with drugs
D) Requires lubrication
Answer: A) Air entrapment
90. Which of the following advantages does cocoa butter offer as a suppository
base?
A) It dissolves slowly in rectal fluids.
B) It is inexpensive.
C) It provides rapid release of the drug.
D) It is an excellent emollient for sensitive tissues.
Answer: D) It is an excellent emollient for sensitive tissues.
