Dosage Forms

Enemas

delivered into the rectum to bypass the stomach

Troches

type of tablet that is meant to dissolve in the mouth

Spansules

capsules that can be pulled apart with contents sprinkled onto soft food (do not crush or chew)

Elixirs

contains dissolved medication in a water and alcohol base that is used as a solvent for med. to be placed into the solution; sweetener improves the taste of alcoholic mixture (same consistency as water)

Ointments

medication in a glycol or oil base that repels moisture but leaves an oily residue

Spacer

allows less med to be swallowed vs inhaled

Creams

medication in a base that is part oil and part water; may have an emulsifier to keep parts combined

Gels

medication in a viscous (thick) liquid that easily penetrates the skin with no residue; most water content

Sprays

composed of various bases, such as alcohol or water, in a pump- type dispenser

Implants

sterile dosage form that consist of drugs and rate- controlling additives intended for insertion into a body cavity or under the skin; often biosoluble (they degrade in the body over time)

Capsules

composed of gelatin containers and may have hard or soft outer shells

BTC

do not require a prescription, but are kept in the pharmacy and are limited by quantity or pharmacist approval

Lotions

thinner than creams because the base contains more water

Inhalants Aerosoles

must be easily inhaled into the lungs with fine particles that delivers med. directly to the site of inflammation

Emulsions

mixture of water and oil bound together by an emulsifier that stabilizes and improves dispersion of the medication

Caplets

smooth sided and easier to swallow; some mat be administered sublingually

Gel Caps

soft capsules that can not be opened and often hold medication in liquid form

Powders

solids, but can be packages in some forms that allows them to be sprayed; one of the main ways to reduce amount of moisture

Syrups

sugar based solutions in which medication has been dissolved in them (improves taste) and is usually thicker than water

Lozenges Troches

aimed at local action in the mouth or throat

Chewable Tablets

convenient for children and people with difficulty swallowing

Orally Disintegrating Tablets

may be dissolved in the mouth without water

Transdermal Patches

material that holds a specific amount of medication to be released into the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream; easy to apply and eliminated the possibility of an upset stomach

Legend drugs

require a prescription and are often noted as Rx

Suppositories

rectal suppositories bypass the stomach (important if pt has nausea /vomiting); can be used rectally and vaginally and may act systematically or treat local conditions

Tablets/Caplets

come in variety of sizes, shapes, colors, thickness, and composition and usually contains a filler with no active ingredient (additives may be used to improve absorption and distribution)

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

commonly used and may be purchased without a prescription

Dosage form

the means by which a drug is available for use or the vehicle by which the drug is delivered

Solids

tablets, capsules, lozenges, troches, implants

Liquids

syrups, elixirs, sprays, inhalants, aerosols, emulsions, suspensions, enemas

Semisolids

creams, lotions, ointments, gels, pastes, suppositories, powders, transdermal patches

Enteric Coated

protects the drug through the acidic environment of the stomach or to delay release of the drug (extended release); never cut or crush an EC tab (if the protective covering is disrupted, it loses its protective qualities)

Chewable Tablets

convenient for children and people with difficulty swallowing

Caplets

smooth sided and easier to swallow; some mat be administered sublingually

Capsules

composed of gelatin containers and may have hard or soft outer shells

Gel Caps

soft capsules that cannot be opened and often hold medication in liquid form

Lozenges

similar to hard candy

Troches

type of tablet that is meant to dissolve in the mouth

Implants

sterile dosage form that consist of drugs and rate-controlling additives intended for insertion into a body cavity or under the skin; often biosoluble (they degrade in the body over time)

Syrups

sugar based solutions in which medication has been dissolved in them (improves taste) and is usually thicker than water

Elixirs

contains dissolved medication in a water and alcohol base that is used as a solvent for med. to be placed into the solution; sweetener improves the taste of alcoholic mixture (same consistency as water)

Suspensions

very small, solid particles suspended in the base solution used when the active ingredients would be unstable when dissolved in a solution but are stable when in a suspension

Emulsions

mixture of water and oil bound together by an emulsifier that stabilizes and improves dispersion of the medication

Sprays

composed of various bases, such as alcohol or water, in a pump-type dispenser

Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)

dispense a specific amount of drug with each puff

Spacer

allows less med to be swallowed vs inhaled

Enemas

delivered into the rectum to bypass the stomach