Pharmaceutical Drug Dosage Forms

Flashcards covering definitions, forms, routes, and examples of pharmaceutical dosage forms and related concepts from the notes.

What is a drug according to the notes and the FD&C Act reference provided?

Any chemical compound intended for diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, cure, or prevention of disease in humans or animals (as per the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1938).

What are the main purposes of dosage forms?

They act as vehicles for delivering the active drug to the site of action and are a blend of drug plus excipients to improve stability, palatability, and patient compliance.

What are solid dosage forms?

Examples include powders, granules, capsules, tablets, and oral rehydration salts.

Name semi-solid dosage forms.

Ointments, gels, creams, and transdermal drug delivery systems.

Name liquid dosage forms.

Solutions, suspensions, elixirs, syrups, tinctures, and related liquid preparations.

What are sterile dosage forms?

Parenterals and biologics, including products like vaccines (e.g., COVID-19 vaccine) and other sterile injection preparations.

What routes are included in the delivery system of primary dosage forms?

Parenteral, oral, topical, rectal, and vaginal routes.

Which forms are administered by injection or infusion?

Parenteral dosage forms (IV, IM, SC, intradermal).

What are solid unit forms for oral administration?

Buccal tablets, sublingual tablets, chewable tablets, and effervescent tablets.

Where are buccal tablets placed?

Between the gum and the cheek.

Where are sublingual tablets placed?

Under the tongue.

What is the purpose of chewable tablets?

Tablets that are chewed before swallowing.

What is an effervescent tablet?

A tablet that releases CO2 in water before intake.

What are capsules?

Gelatin shells enclosing powder or liquid.

What are granules?

Dry aggregates often contained in sachets.

What are powders in dosage forms?

Finely divided dry mixtures, sometimes reconstituted before use.

What is a transdermal drug delivery system?

A system (e.g., a patch) that delivers drug through the skin into the bloodstream.

Give an example of a transdermal patch and its typical use.

Nitro-Dur patch delivering nitroglycerin for systemic effect (e.g., angina relief) over hours.

What are inhalation dosage forms?

Inhalers, nebulizers, and atomizers (nasal sprays, throat sprays, etc.).

What are nasal sprays used for?

Deliver drugs into the nasal cavity for local or systemic effect.

What is a vaginal cream with an applicator?

A vaginal dosage form used externally with an applicator for administration.

What are rectal and vaginal dosage forms?

Suppositories, pessaries, enemas, rectal and vaginal creams, and vaginal washes.

What is a kaolin poultice used for?

A traditional topical preparation used to reduce inflammation and provide warmth or soothing action.

How are syrups and elixirs different?

Syrup is a concentrated sugar solution masking taste; elixir is a sweetened hydroalcoholic solution.

What do dosage forms influence besides stability?

Absorption of the drug and patient compliance.

What are examples of special application dosage forms?

Nasal sprays, ear drops, ophthalmic drops, and gargles.

What is a rectal/vaginal dosage form’s general mechanism?

Suppositories melt/dissolve at body temperature in the rectum or vagina; enemas deliver liquid preparations into the rectum.