PST 04210: PHARMACEUTICAL INORGANIC
CHEMISTRY
REVIEW QUESTIONS
VOLUME 01: USES OF INORGANIC ELEMENT IN
PHARMACY
PST04210: VOL 01.Uses Of Inorganic Elements In Pharmacy @ lucas JM Page 1
1. Shortlist five (5) medicinal uses of sodium element in pharmacy,
i. Sodium Hypochlorite Solution USP (Dakin's Solution) is an effective germicide
ii. Sodium bicarbonate used as gastric antacids
iii. Sodium iodide 131 (131I) used for treatment of thyroid cancer
iv. Sodium chloride a component of Normal saline (NS) infusion used as electrolyte
replenisher
v. As radioactive isotope, sodium-24 has been used as tracer in medicine
vi. Sodium nitroprusside USP, used as a vasodilator
vii. Sodium borate is an ingredient of cold creams, eye washes, and mouthwashes
viii. Sodium Nitrite USP is used as an antidote to cyanide poisoning.
2. Enumerate five (5) medicinal uses of magnesium element in pharmacy.
i. Magnesium ions are important for transportation of material in and outside of the cell
ii. Magnesium is also very crucial for the normal function of the heart
iii. Magnesium hydroxide has been used as an ingredient in cathartic preparation
iv. Magnesium sulfate as an anticonvulsant
v. Magnesium insoluble compounds are used in the preparation of gastric antacids
3. Outline five (5) medicinal uses of calcium.
i. Calcium ions are important for transportation of material in and outside of the cell
ii. Calcium are also very crucial for the normal function of the heart
iii. Calcium is also important for preparation of antacids
iv. Calcium is important for preparation of calcium replenishers.
v. A complex basic calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) constitutes the main inorganic
component of bones and teeth
vi. Calcium hypochlorite as bleaching powder is used as disinfectant
4. List five (5) medicinal uses of aluminium element in pharmacy.
i. Elemental aluminium is employed in topical preparations as a protective
ii. Many insoluble aluminium compounds are used in preparing gastric antacids
iii. Aluminium salts such as Kaolin is used as an adsorbent and demulcent
iv. Aluminium salts such as Bentonite is useful as a suspending agent
v. Magnesium preparations are used as ant-flatulent.
vi. Salts such as Aluminium Chloride hydrate are used in preparation of astringents
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5. Outline five (5) medicinal uses of oxygen.
i. Oxygen USP is employed as a therapeutic gas in the treatment of conditions
involving hypoxia
ii. Ozone, 03, an allotropic form of oxygen, is a powerful oxidizing agent
iii. Ozonized air (air treated to convert some of its oxygen into ozone) is used in various
disinfecting and bleaching operations
iv. Hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent is used in various pharmaceutical preparations
such as mouthwashes and disinfectants
v. Water compound containing oxygen is vital for any living cell.
vi. Nitrogen (I) Oxide (nitrous oxide) USP, is used as an inhalatory general anesthetic.
6. Enumerate five (5) medicinal uses of sulphur element in pharmacy.
i. Precipitated Sulphur as ointment is used as the scabicide
ii. Sulphur ointments and lotions are used in dermatological applications as keratolytics
iii. Elemental Sulphur also has fungicidal action
iv. Zinc sulphate is used in management of diarrhoea
v. Anhydride of Sulphurous acid and its salts, the sulphites are used in pharmaceutical
practice as antioxidants and preservatives
vi. Sodium Thiosulfate USP is used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning
7. List uses medicinal uses of carbon element.
i. Carbon is used in preparation of activated charcoal
ii. Sodium bicarbonate and the slightly soluble carbonates or basic carbonates of
calcium, magnesium, and aluminium are used as gastric antacids
iii. Potassium bicarbonate is used as source of potassium ion in electrolyte replenishers.
iv. Bismuth sub carbonate is an astringent and protective
v. Ammonium carbonate is an effective reflex stimulant and expectorant
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8. A). List group one elements of the periodic table.
i. Lithium (Li)
ii. Sodium (Na)
iii. Potassium (K)
iv. Rubidium (Rb)
v. Caesium (Cs)
vi. Francium (Fr)
B). Describe uses of group one elements in pharmacy.
i. Preparation of Antiseptics and disinfectants
Potassium compounds are used in preparation of potassium permanganate
Some sodium compound are being used to prepare disinfectants example sodium
hypochlorite
ii. Preparation of Electrolytes replenishers
Some sodium compounds are being used in the preparation of sodium chloride, the
major component of Normal saline (NS) infusion
iii. Compound of Lithium has been used in treatment of Hypomanic and manic states
Lithium Carbonate USP and Lithium Citrate USP
iv. Diagnosis in medicine
As radioactive isotope, sodium-24 has been used as tracer in medicine
9. A). List group two elements of the periodic table.
i. Beryllium (Be),
ii. Magnesium (Mg)
iii. Calcium (Ca)
iv. Strontium (Sr)
v. Barium (Ba)
vi. Radium (Ra)
B). Describe uses of group two elements in pharmacy.
i. Physiological role
-Magnesium ions and calcium ions are important for transportation of material in and
outside of the cell
-Magnesium and calcium are also very crucial for the normal function of the heart
ii. Preparation pharmaceuticals
-Magnesium insoluble compounds are used in the preparation of gastric antacids
-Calcium is also important for preparation of antacids
-Calcium is important for preparation of antacids and calcium replenishers
-Magnesium hydroxide has been used as an ingredient in cathartic preparation
-Magnesium sulfate as an anticonvulsant
iii. Medical analysis and diagnosis
iv. -Barium hydroxide is applied in analytical and synthetic operations
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10. A). List group three elements of the periodic table.
i. Boron (B)
ii. Aluminium (Al)
iii. Gallium (Ga)
iv. Indium (In)
v. Thallium (Tl)
B). Describe uses of group three elements in pharmacy.
As ingredients in various pharmaceutical formulations
i. Boric acid is included in topical preparations as an anti-infective
ii. Elemental aluminium is employed topical preparations as a protective
iii. Sodium borate is an ingredient of cold creams, eye washes, and mouthwashes
iv. Many insoluble aluminium compounds are used in preparing gastric antacids
v. Preparing aluminium salts used for various skin conditions
-Kaolin is used as an adsorbent and demulcent
-Bentonite is useful as a suspending agent
11. A). List group four elements of the periodic table.
i. Carbon (C)
ii. Silicon (Si)
iii. Germanium (Ge)
iv. Tin (Sn)
v. Lead (Pb).
B). Describe uses of group four elements in pharmacy.
i. Carbon is used in preparation of activated charcoal
ii. Sodium bicarbonate and the slightly soluble carbonates or basic carbonates of
calcium, magnesium, and aluminium are used as gastric antacids
iii. Potassium bicarbonate is used as source of potassium ion in electrolyte replenishers.
iv. Bismuth sub carbonate is an astringent and protective
v. Ammonium carbonate is an effective reflex stimulant and expectorant
vi. Talc is used in dusting powders as a protective and lubricant, to prevent irritation due
to friction, also is used in medicated dusts and used widely in cosmetic applications.
vii. The bentonites are used as suspending agents
viii. Kaolins are used as clarifying agents and are good excipients for inorganic salts
ix. Magnesium trisilicate is used as antacid
x. Magnesium trisilicate also is employed as a suspending agent
xi. Simethicone USP, a polymeric dimethylsiloxane, is used as an antiflatulent in gastric
bloating and in postoperative gaseous distention in the gastrointestinal tract
xii. Stannous fluoride (tin (II) fluoride) is applied topically as a dental prophylactic
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xiii. Various tin dioxide (tin(IV) oxide) preparations are used externally for their
germicidal effect, particularly against staphylococcal organisms that are often
resistant to other germicides
12. A). List group five elements of the periodic table
i. Nitrogen (N)
ii. Phosphorus (P)
iii. Arsenic (As)
iv. Antimony (Sb)
v. Bismuth (Bi)
B). Describe uses of group five elements in pharmacy
i. Some group five compounds have physiological function
-A complex basic calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) constitutes the main
inorganic component of bones and teeth
-Phosphate has important roles in the metabolism of various organic materials,
such as carbohydrates
ii. Most of their compounds are used in production of pharmaceuticals
-Nitrogen (I) Oxide (nitrous oxide) USP, is used as an inhalatory general
anesthetic.
-Sodium Nitrite USP is used as an antidote to cyanide poisoning
-The nitrate ion frequently is used as an anion for medicinally active cations, such
as silver nitrate and thiamine mononitrate
-The organic nitrites and sodium nitroprusside are used to lower blood pressure
-Nitric oxide (NO) as vasodilation
-Tribasic calcium, magnesium, and aluminium phosphates are used as gastric
antacids
-Monobasic alkali phosphates are effective urinary acidifiers
-Dibasic sodium phosphate is the active ingredient in various saline cathartics and
enemas
-Phosphoric Acid NF, is used to form soluble salts of insoluble medicinal bases
-The dihydrogen phosphate-monohydrogen phosphate system is a valuable buffer
in physiological ranges
-Hypophosphorous Acid NF is an antioxidant, used primarily with iodide and iron
(Il) salts
-The radioactive isotope, 32P, is employed therapeutically
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13. A). List group six elements of the periodic table
i. oxygen (O)
ii. Sulphur (S), and selenium (Se)
iii. Tellurium (Te) and polonium (Po).
B). Describe uses of group six elements in pharmacy
i. Oxygen USP is employed as a therapeutic gas in the treatment of conditions
involving hypoxia
ii. Ozone, 03, an allotropic form of oxygen, is a powerful oxidizing agent
iii. Ozonized air (air treated to convert some of its oxygen into ozone) is used in
various disinfecting and bleaching operations
iv. Hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent is used in various pharmaceutical
preparations such as mouthwashes and disinfectants
v. Precipitated Sulphur as ointment is used as the scabicide
vi. Sulphur ointments and lotions are used in dermatological applications as
keratolytics
vii. Elemental Sulphur also has fungicidal action
viii. Zinc sulphate is used in management of diarrhoea
ix. Anhydride of Sulphurous acid and its salts, the sulphites are used in
pharmaceutical practice as antioxidants and preservatives
x. Sodium Thiosulfate USP is used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning
14. A). List group seven elements of the periodic table
i. Fluorine (F)
ii. Chlorine (Cl)
iii. Bromine (Br)
iv. Iodine (I)
v. Astatine (At)
15. B). Enumerate seven (7) uses of group seven elements in pharmacy.
i. Physiological role e.g Fluorine is an essential element and is present in the teeth and
bone
ii. As a dental prophylactic.g Fluoride has been included in various preparations such as
toothpastes essentially as a dental prophylaxis
iii. Preparation of acidifying agents e.g Chlorine compounds particularly Hydrochloric
acid NF is a used for neutralizing, stabilizing, or solubilizing other substances
iv. Preparation of electrolyte replenisher
Sodium, potassium, and calcium chlorides are employed in electrolyte replenisher
v. Preparation of expectorants e.g. Ammonium chloride is an expectorant and a systemic
acidifying agent
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vi. Preparation of Disinfectants, antiseptics and sanitizing agents
Sodium Hypochlorite Solution USP (Dakin's Solution) is an effective germicide,
viricide, and deodorant.Calcium hypochlorite as bleaching powder is used as
disinfectant, Povidone-Iodine and its dosage forms are used as sanitizing agents
vii. Diagnosis in medicine e.g. The radioactive isotopes, 125I and 131I have diagnostic
and therapeutic applications
16. Outline three (3) physiological roles of group seven elements.
i. Fluorine is an essential element and is present in the teeth and bone
ii. Chlorine is important for transportation of materials of the cell
iii. Iodine is essential for proper thyroid functioning
17. List group eight elements of the periodic table
i. Helium(He)
ii. Neon(Ne)
iii. Argon(Ar)
iv. Krypton(Kr)
v. Xenon(Xe)
vi. Radon(Rn)
18. Describe uses of group eight elements in pharmacy
i. Diagnostic studies
• 133Xe is used for diagnostic studies both by inhalation and intravenous
injection
ii. Treatment procedures
Radon is used instead of radium in the treatment of certain types of cancer
• Sealed tubes containing the gas are embedded in the tissues to be treated
• Both radium and radon emit alpha particles in the first stage of their
radioactive decay
19. Outline uses of inorganic element as excipients in pharmacy.
i. Magnesium trisilicate also is employed as a suspending agent
ii. Kaolin are used as clarifying agents and are good excipients for inorganic salts
iii. Kaolin are also used as intestinal adsorbents and protectives
iv. Kaolin are used as dusting powders
v. The bentonites have gelling properties as well as ion-exchange properties
vi. The bentonites have detergent properties
vii. Talc is the softest mineral that cleave easily to give the characteristic smooth feel
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