Dusting Powder (PULVIS)

By: Andi Nafisah T.A.M, S.Farm.,M.Sc

 Dusting powder for
external use
These are dry, free flowing preparations consisting
of one or a mixture of finely powdered substances
and intended for external application.
The advantages of dusting powders as pharmaceutical products are
• They are easy to apply.
• They are pleasant to use.
• They absorb skin moisture, which leads to reduced friction between skin surfaces,
• Discourages bacterial growth and has a cooling effect.
The disadvantages of dusting powders as pharmaceutical products are
• They may block pores, causing irritation, or if applied to parietal surfaces, granulomas, fibrosis or
adhesions.
• There is a possibility of contamination:
Starch, although an excellent dusting powder, is organic and can support microbial growth.
Talc, despite being an inert compound, can be contaminated with microorganisms and must
therefore always be sterilised prior to incorporation into a dusting powder.
• Light fluffy powders may be inhaled by infants, causing breathing difficulties.
• They are not suitable for application to broken skin.
 Common ingredients included in
dusting powders and their properties
Properties Ingredients
Absorbent Bentonite BP
Kaolin BP
Starch BP
Talc BP
Dispersing and lubricating for ease of application Starch BP
Talc BP
Adhesives that help the powder to stick to the skin Aluminium Stearate BP
Magnesium Stearate BP
Zinc Stearate BP
Increase 'lightness and fluffiness' Prepared Chalk BP
Zinc Stearate BP
White, with good covering properties Talc BP
Zinc Oxide BP
Clostridium tetani, Some commonly
Clostridium used ingredients Therefore, such
Which can cause
welchii and such as talc, kaolin ingredients must
tetanus and
Bacillus anthracis and other natural have been sterilise
gangrene.
be heavily mineral before use.
contaminated to substances
Gangren: mengacu pada kematian jaringan tubuh
karena kurangnya aliran darah atau infeksi
bakteri. Kondisi ini terjadi setelah seseorang
mengalami luka, infeksi, atau masalah kesehatan
kronis yang memengaruhi sirkulasi darah.

Tetanus yang juga dikenal dengan lockjaw,

merupakan penyakit yang disebakan oleh
tetanospasmin, yaitu sejenis neurotoksin yang
diproduksi oleh Clostridium tetani yang
menginfeksi sistem urat saraf dan otot
sehingga saraf dan otot menjadi kaku (rigid).
 Common active ingredients included in
dusting powders and their properties
Properties Ingredients
Antibakteri/ antifungal Sulphur BP
Astringents Aluminium Chloride BP
Tannic Acid BP
Cooling antipruritic ingredients Menthol BP
Thymol BP
Camphor BP
The label of a pharmaceutical product
has many functions:
To indicate clearly the contents of the container

To indicate clearly to patients how and when the

medicinal product should be taken or used
To indicate clearly to patients how the product
should be stored and for how long
To indicate clearly to patients any warnings or
cautions of which they need to be made aware.
Permanent reminder!!!
 Some techniques of powder dust
preparation
•Trituration
•Incorporate I
•Incorporate II