Drug Packaging

Unit-dose packaging

• Each dose is individually wrapped and labeled

• 24-hour supply prepared by pharmacy

• May be plastic bubble, foil, paper wrappers, plastic or glass containers, or a sealed medication cup containing a liquid

Ampule (ampoule)

• Glass container that holds a single sterile dose of drug

• May be liquid, powder, or crystal

• Narrow neck is broken to reach drug

• Single-use (can’t be kept sterile)

Vial

• Glass or plastic container with a sealed rubber top

• May be multi-use (can be kept sterile)

• May be liquid or a powder requiring reconstitution

IV bags/containers

• May be flexible plastic bags or glass containers

• Hold sterile medication for IV use

Prefilled syringes

• Sterile liquid medication ready to administer without further preparation

• Often used with emergency meds or immunizations

Prefilled cartridge

• Small vial with needle or needless device attached

• Fit into metal or plastic holder and eject one unit-dose of a sterile drug in liquid form

Transdermal patch

• Adhesive bandages placed on skin

• Hold drug that is slowly absorbed into circulation over hours or days

Lozenge

• Disk-like solid that dissolves in mouth (cough drop)

Suppository

• Molded forms that can be inserted into rectum or vagina

• Hold meds in a substance that melts at body temperature (such as cocoa butter)

• May be used for unconscious patients or those unable to swallow

• May use gloved finger or applicator to insert

Disposable squeezable containers

• Douche, enema

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Dropper bottle

• Used for eye, ear, or nose medications

• Container must be used only for that patient to prevent contamination

• Ophthalmic = eye

• Otic = ear

• Nasal = nose

Metered-dose inhaler

• Device with two parts: canister under pressure and mouthpiece

• Contains multiple doses in liquid, powder, or crystal

• Finger pressure on mouthpiece discharges one dose