💦Liquid Dosage Forms

Solution

Homogeneous mixture where medications dissolve completely and evenly. Often used in parenteral medications (injections, infusions)

Aqueous Solution

Uses purified or sterile water as solvent. Found in douches, enemas, sprays

Viscous Aqueous Solution

Thicker water-based solution (syrups, jellies, mucilages). Syrups mask bad taste & soothe throat irritation

Nonaqueous Solution

Solvent is alcohol, glycerin, or propylene glycol. Useful for non–water-soluble drugs

Hydroalcoholic Solution

Mix of alcohol + water, found in elixirs (flavored, oral). Not suitable for children or patients avoiding alcohol

Aromatic Elixir

Non-medical solution to mask unpleasant medicine taste and improve palatability

Alcoholic Solution

Ethyl alcohol only, no water. Used for preservation or to dissolve certain drugs

Collodion

Pyroxylin in alcohol/ether; applied to skin, dries to form plastic film (used in wart/callus removers, liquid bandages)

Spirit/Essence

Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution of volatile substances. Often inhaled; high alcohol %, must be tightly sealed

Glycerite

Medicine dissolved in glycerin. Thick/viscous, rarely used today

Susp : Suspension

Liquid dosage with fine solid particles dispersed in liquid. Must be shaken before use

Oral Suspension

Suspension for oral use, helps patients who can’t swallow pills. Faster absorption than solids

Magma/Milk

Thick, water-based suspension of undissolved drugs (e.g., antacids)

Lotion (suspension type)

External-use suspension (e.g., calamine lotion)

Gel

Suspension with very fine particles. Can be oral or topical (e.g., diclofenac gel)

Extractive Suspension

Made by extracting active ingredients from crude drugs with solvents of varying potency

Emulsion

Mixture of water + oil phases stabilized by emulsifying agent

Oil-in-Water Emulsion

Oil droplets dispersed in water. Common for oral medications

Water-in-Oil Emulsion

Water droplets dispersed in oil. Found in emollient creams for moisturizing skin