SUMMARY
The range of pessaries at the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market is represented by medicines containing substances of the synthetic origin for the treatment of genital herpes (GH). However, combined drugs with a wide range of pharmacological action and minimal side effects for treating GH are practically absent, except for rectal suppositories “Panavir” containing the purified extract from Solanum tuberosum stem. For this reason the question of expansion of the range of pessaries based on substances of the plant or synthetic origin is topical and important. Aim. To develop the laboratory technology of the combined pessaries with acyclovir and essential oils of tea tree and thyme. Materials and methods. The technological process for preparing pessaries was carried out in accordance to the generally accepted rules for preparing suppositories taking into account the nature and physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and excipients. According to the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine (SPhU) the following parameters were determined on the samples of pessaries: description, uniformity, pH, melting point, time of complete deformation, disintegration time, and resistance. Quantitative determination of acyclovir was conducted by the method of absorption spectrophotometry in the UV spectrum at a wavelength of (265 ± 2) nm. The thermogravimetric studies were performed on a Q-1000 derivatograph of F. Paulik, I. Paulik, L. Efdei system. Results and discussion. Based on the biopharmaceutical and pharmacotechnological studies conducted the laboratory technology of the combined pessaries with acyclovir and essential oils of tea tree and thyme has been developed. The complex of experimental studies on selection of the amount of an emulsifier, fineness and the the choice of solvent for acyclovir, the choice of the rational technology for pessaries has been conducted. The technology proposed allows obtaining pessaries in accordance with the requirements of the SPhU. Conclusions. For the first time the laboratory technology of pessaries with acyclovir and essential oils of tea tree and thyme has been developed. The results obtained have shown the prospects for further study of the combined pessaries with acyclovir and essential oils of tea tree and thyme in order to introduce this dosage form into production.