Solid Oral Dosage Forms

Flashcards reviewing the solid oral dosage forms and their key characteristics.

Capsules

Oblong, gelatin containers filled with medication that are usually swallowed and absorbed through the GI tract. They may contain inactive ingredients like diluents, disintegrants, and preservatives. Some can be opened and sprinkled on food, but doing so incorrectly can lead to incorrect dosing.

Tablets

Produced by compression and usually swallowed and absorbed through the GI tract. They contain inactive ingredients such as binders, diluents, disintegrants, and lubricating agents. Types include standard compressed tablets (SCT), multiple compressed tablets (MCT), and caplets. Splitting or crushing certain tablets can lead to incorrect dosing.

Coated Tablets

Tablets with a coating that prevents them from dissolving in the stomach. Examples include enteric-coated, film-coated, and buffered coatings. Should be swallowed whole to ensure proper absorption.

Pills

Made from a paste, rolled between finger and thumb, then dried.

Buccal Tablets

Placed between the cheek and gum to dissolve slowly and be absorbed through the mouth. Ideal for medications that cannot survive the acidic environment of the stomach.

Sublingual Tablets

Placed under the tongue to dissolve rapidly and be absorbed through the blood vessels. Suitable for medications that need to work quickly.

Chewable Tablets

Intended to be chewed before swallowing and absorbed through the GI tract. Good for large medications or patients who can't swallow tablets or capsules.

Oral Disintegrating Tablets (ODT)

Also called wafers, are placed on the tongue and dissolve instantly in the mouth and are absorbed through the GI tract. Can be administered without liquid and are useful for nausea, vomiting, migraines, psychiatric medications, and patients who can't swallow.

Effervescent Tablets

Contain mixtures of acids and sodium or potassium bicarbonate. They must be first dissolved in water and then administered like a drink. Useful for large meds and/or patients that can’t swallow tablets or capsules

Lozenges

Also called troches, are held in the mouth until dissolved. Can work locally or systemically, with local treatments good for conditions of the mouth.

Thin Strips

Small films that melt in the mouth, either on top of the tongue (absorbed through the GI tract) or sublingually/buccally (absorbed through the mouth).

Powders

Granules that are placed on the tongue and washed down with a liquid.

Controlled-Release Tablets and Capsules

Release medication over an extended period. The release mechanism varies, with examples including LA (long-acting), TR (timed-release), SA (sustained-action), ER (extended-release), and SR (sustained-release).

Dosage Form Considerations

Different dosage forms may contain the same active ingredient but not be therapeutically equivalent. The dosage form can improve taste, stability, availability, and absorption.