Properties of Analgesics Essay Example for Free

Properties of Analgesics Essay The mass of three analgesics, aspirin, buffered aspirin, and acetaminophen is certainly different. The insoluble particles in each varied as well. If base is added to aspirin, it will neutralize. If it is added to buffered aspirin and acetaminophen, then the pH will increases. First, we found the masses of four tablets of each analgesic. Then, we ground them separately into a powder. Each was dissolved in water and filtered, leaving only the insoluble particles behind The mass of the uncrushed analgesics was compared to its insoluble parts. On the next day, we found the pH of each analgesic, then added NaOH to each in 1mL increments, testing the pH each time. We compared the differing masses (of both the four pills and the insoluables) and the varying pH levels of each analgesic. DATA TABLES: table1 table2 Observation of the Filtering Paper: When the first filtering took place (filtering of aspirin), it left powdered aspirin behind. This was the insoluble materials of aspirin. The other two produced the same results, leaving behind insoluble particles. The buffered aspirin seemed to take longer to filter, followed closely by acetaminophen. The aspirin took the shortest amount of time. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION The masses of the four tablets for each analgesic was: aspirin tablets were 1.929g; buffered aspirin was 2.810g; and acetaminophen was 2.194g. After filtering, the mass of the insoluble material for aspirin was 0.637g; buffered aspirin was 0.676g; and acetaminophen was 0.733g. The pH change varied from each analgesic. For aspirin, the pH never changed when base was added. The buffered aspirin rose 1.5 on the pH scale after the NaOH was added. For the acetaminophen, the pH level raised by 4. Here is a graph of the pH data: CONCLUSION The acetaminophen had the highest mass of insoluble materials, followed by buffered aspirin and aspirin. But, the buffered aspirin had only 24% insoluble material, while the aspirin had 33% and the acetaminophen had 33.4%. The most acidic was aspirin, because it was unaffected by the NaOH. The acetaminophen, however, was affected most by the base. Aspirin is the most acidic of the three, so it should be avoided by those that have stomach coagulation or ulcers, as the acid could make its way into the lining aggravating the stomach. In this case, buffered aspirin could be used, since it contains the least amount of insoluble material. Acetaminophen could be used if one has an allergy to aspirin. EXTENSIONS A grain is a metric equivalent to 0.0649 grams. It is 1/7000 of a pound. So for a 300mg dosage of aspirin, one would be taking 4.61 grains of aspirin. For a 325mg dosage (standard Tylenol) of acetaminophen, one would take 5 grains. For 350mg of buffered aspirin, one would take 5.39 grains.