Drug Forms and Admin Route

Dosage

Refers to med. amount per unit of measure

Dosage strength

Identifies drugs structure and composition.

Form

Refers to both dosage strength and form

Supply dosage

Full quantity in a vial, bottle, or package

Reconstitution

Mixing a powdered drug with a specific liquid.

Solid Drugs

Tablets, pills, platers, capsules, caplets, etc.

Enteric coated

Special coating to help survive stomach

Tablet

Made by compressing powdered form

Buffered tablet

Prevents stomach irritation

Pill

Single dose rolled into an oval shape.

Capsule

Has a shell made of gelatin

Troche

hard/semi-solid medication for mouth/throat

Semisolid drugs

Usually applied topically

Suppository

Bullet shaped, inserted into body

Ointment

Combined w/ oil base

Cream

White, non-greasy, water based

Gel

Jelly substance, possible high alcohol content

Paste

Fatty base

Syrup

High concentration of sugar and water

Spirit

Alcohol containing liquid solvent

Elixir

Contains water, alcohol, and sugar

Fluidextract

Solution taken from plant, mixed w/ solvent, separate plant from solvent.

Tincture

Alcoholic, usually from a plant source

Liniment

Mixture of drugs w/ oils, soap, water, or alcohol

Emulsion

Pharmaceutical preparation w/ two agents that cannot ordinarily be combined

Mixture/suspension

Agent mixed w/ liquid, but not dissolved

Volatile oil

Aromatic water is a mixture of distilled water and aromatic

Oral

Taken by mouth

Aerosol

Liquid/fine powder sprayed in a fine mist

Sublingual (SL)

Dissolved under tongue

Parenteral

Administered outside of digestive system

Enteral

Administered via digestive system

Buccal

Administered between gum and cheek

Ampule

Small sealed glass container

Subcutaneous (SubQ)

Given below the skin

Intradermal

Given within the skin

Intermuscular (IM)

Injected into muscle

Intravenous (IV)

Injected into vein

Transdermal patches

Used to help medication absorb slowly through skin

Urethral

Administered by injecting into the urethra

Inhalation

Drawing breath, vapor, or gas into lungs

Ophthalmic

Drops or ointments instilled into eyes

Otic

Administering sterile medication into ears