Introduction: Dosage Forms Of Drugs (Cram)

What are the three dosage forms of drugs?

1. Liquid
2. Solid
3. Semi–solid

A preperation containing a solute or several solutes completely dissolved in a solvent

Solution

Indicate if a solution needs to be sterile for the following routes: Ophthalmic, topical, and parenteral

Topical - Doesn't need to be sterile
Parenteral/Ophthalmic - Must be sterile

If a drug solvent is water, what can the drug be called?

Aqueous solution

True or false: Aqueous solutions tend to be more irritating than lipid solutions

False. Aqueous solutions are generally non–irritating

What is a common solvent and stabilizer for many drugs. Used IM. It is somewhat irritating on injection and cannot be given to horses and small animals

Propylene glycol

Example: Bovine oxytetracylines like Oxyvet®

Why can you not inject large quantities of propylene glycol IM?

Very painful

Name some adverse effects of injecting large volumes of propylene glycol IV

CNS depression, hemolysis, cardiovascular effects, and apnea

Similar to propylene glycol, but can be used for all injection routes

Polyethylene glycol

Fill in the blank: will have alcohol as a solvent

Tinctures will have alcohol as a solvent

Example: Iodine tincture

True or false: Tinctures are for topical use only

True.

Note: Only use if the skin is unbroken. Alcohol stings!

Phenomenon where a drug travels to a specific location in the body which leads to a reduction in the concentration of the active drug before it reaches the site of action or systemic circulation

First pass effect

Drug carrier with a loose binding to the drug. It delays absorption of an IM or SQ injection. It has a slight anti–inflammatory effect

PVP/povidone (full name: polyvinylpyrrolidone)

What adverse effect does povidone have in dogs?

Induces the release of histamine, which drops blood pressure

Drug stabilizer that is toxic to dogs if ingested

Polysorbate 80

Saturated aqueous solutions of sucrose and water. They are designed to mask the taste of the drug, and may contain flavoring

Syrups

Solutions containing water and alcohol with sweeteners and flavoring added

Elixirs

You mix two solutions and the mixture turns cloudy, can you still inject it?

NO. This means the drugs are chemically incompatible, this is VERY BAD. It can never be injected

Fill in the blank: Don't mix _______ [kind of drug] with ANY other kind of drug.

antifungals

True or false: Mixing acidic and alkaline drugs neutralizes the pH, making the drug safer

False. Don't mix acidic and alkaline drugs

What three types of drugs should you NOT give with antibiotics?

1. Other types of antibiotics
2. Steroids
3. Vitamins

Why can't you mix Valium (diazepam) with Versed (midazolam)?

Because Valium is lipid soluble and Versed is water solule

Liquid preparation where the solute is not dissolved in the vehicle

Suspension

Note: These are rarely given IV

Substance in a suspension that keeps the solute dispersed in the liquid and usually increases the viscosity of the mixture

Suspension agent

True or false: Suspensions are given orally, IM, or topically, but rarely IV

True

Combination of a suspension and a solute

Mixture

Mixture that is for topical use on skin or the eye, they are designed to be soothing

Lotion

Mixture that has an oily base which allows for easy spreading on the skin, applied with vigorous rubbing

Liniment

Mixture that has an astringent (drying, antiseptic, or irritant property

Paint

Mixture that is intended for dilution with water, that is applied to the outside of an animal then left on

Dip

Mixture of two immiscile liquids (eg. oil and water)

Emulsion

Mixture that is a suspension or emulsion that is given orally

Drenches

Mixture that is often a solution that is designed for ophthalmic or otic use. Sometimes for oral use (can be suspensions, solutions, or emulsions)

Drops

Mixture that is a solution, suspension, or crystalline powder that can come in single dose vials, multiple dose vials, or ampules

Injections

Mixture that is intended for topical or possibly ophthalmic administration

Spray

What are the four types of semi–solid drug preparations?

1. Cream
2. Ointment
3. Paste/poultice
4. Suppositories

Fill in the blank: Ointments act as _______, which means they form a protective film which prevents loss of moisture to the environment. This makes them good on dry lesions.

emollients

What are the three types of ointment bases?

1. Epidermic ointment base
2. Endodermic ointment base
3. Diadermic ointment base

Which type of ointment base is this? It completely penetrates the skin, the chances of systemic effects are increased, and it includes water–soluble ointment bases

Diadermic ointment base

Which type of ointment base is this? It has very little to no skin penetration. They are generally used as emollients (to soften and protect skin). They are very greasy because they include wax and petroleum

Epidermic ointment base

Which type of ointment base is this? It can penetrate deeper skin layers, but drugs mixed in them do not enter circulation

Endodermic ointment bases

Example: Lanolin

Fill in the blank: Ointments can also be classified as ______ or ______ based on their ability to absorb water and not lose their consistency.

hydrophilic, hydrophobic

Which should you not use on weeping wounds? Hydrophilic or hydrophobic ointments?

Hydrophobic ointments should not be used on weeping wounds

Note: Weeping wounds can only be treated with preparations of drug that are miscible with body fluids

Semi–solid preparation that contains both oil and water. The water evaporates, leaving the oil as a protective layer. They can be used on weeping wounds

Creams

Semi–solid preparation that is used topically to carry medications that are intended to alleviate inflammation

Pastes/poultices

Semi–solid preparation that are intended to be inserted into body orifices

Suppositories

Note: Not often used in veterinary medicine

Which are hydrophobic, and which are hydrophilic? Pastes/poultices, suppositories, ointment, and creams

Hydrophilic: Creams, suppositories
Hydrophobic: Pastes/poultices, ointments

Solid tablets that have no special coating, they tend to crumble and dissolve easily

Compressed tablets (C.T.)

Solid tablets that are coated with sugar so no bad flavour is left in the mouth. The coating does not protect the stomach

Sugar coated tablets (S.C.T.)

Solid tablets that have a film with no or mild pleasant taste

Film coated tablets (F.C.T.)

Solid tablets that have a coating that allows tablets to pass through the stomach without dissolving

Enteric coated tablets (E.C.T.)

Solid tablets that are made under aseptic conditions. They are made to be dissolved and used as an injection

Hypodermic tablets

Three kinds of solid compressed cylinders of dried or powdered drugs. They can be used orally or intra–uterine

1. Pellets
2. Bolettes
3. Bolus

Note: Pellets are smallest, boluses are the largest

Solid medication that is contained in gelatin that dissolves in the stomach

Capsules

Solid that is a very hard pellet designed to dissolve very slowly when placed under the skin. Mostly used to give feedlot animals hormones

Implants

Solid that is impregnated into a plastic surface for a very slow release into the air. Examples: flea/tick collars, and insecticide ear tag for cattle

Resins

Solid that is intended to be mixed with feed, water, or salt so the animal will eat/drink it volutarily. It can also be mixed with water and be used as a drench

Powders

Solid that is a modification of powder. It is done to improve the solubility or mask an unpleasant taste

Granules

Inactive ingredient that sticks tablets together and prevents the breakage of the tablets

Binders

Inactive ingredient that prevents ingredients from adhering to production machinery, packaging, or each other

Lubricants

Example: Magnesium stearate

Inactive ingredient that allows the tablet to dissolve more quickly when in contact with water

Dissolution aids

Example: Sodium bicarbonate

Inactive ingredient that prevents tablets or ingredients from degrading due to humidity

Dessicants

Example: Little packages that contain silica gels that come in

Inactive ingredient that adds bulk so that tablets are large enough to allow easy administration

Diluents

Examples: Sucrose, lactose

Inactive ingredient that is added to mask the taste of the ingredients

Flavoring

True or false: Drug labels only need to list active ingredients

False. Drug labels must list all active and inactive ingredients