Medicines prepared as suspensions should be shaken well before use to ensure that the active drug particles, which tend to settle at the bottom, are evenly dispersed throughout the liquid. This uniform mixing is crucial to provide a consistent and accurate dose each time the medicine is administered. If the suspension is not shaken properly, the concentration of the medicine can vary significantly, leading to doses that are either less effective or potentially harmful, especially for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.
Importance of Shaking Suspensions
- Suspensions contain solid particles dispersed in a liquid, which settle over time due to gravity.
- Shaking redistributes these particles evenly, ensuring the correct dosage is delivered.
- Without shaking, the liquid drawn may be more diluted or overly concentrated depending on the sedimentation, causing inconsistent dosing.
Consequences of Not Shaking
- Variability in drug concentration can lead to improper disease control or treatment failure.
- For example, in an epilepsy medication suspension, inadequate shaking caused some doses to be under-concentrated resulting in seizure recurrence.
- Proper shaking helps maintain safety and therapeutic effectiveness by delivering the intended drug concentration.
Guidance for Use
- Always shake medicine bottles well, especially suspensions, before each use.
- Pharmacists and healthcare providers emphasize this step to patients and caregivers to ensure dosing accuracy.
- Labels often include "Shake well before use" as a crucial instruction for suspensions.
In summary, shaking ensures the medicine is well mixed, delivering the correct therapeutic dose consistently.
