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what is pharmaceutics

the discipline of pharmacy that deals with the process of turning an active drug (also called active pharmaceutical ingredient, API) into a dosage form to be used safely and effectively by patients

what is an API

the active pharmaceutical ingredient

what is formulation

the process to combine the API and other inert ingredients (excipients) to produce a final drug product.

what is the goal of pharmaceutics

to develop optimized drug therapy that reaches the site of action at the right dose , right time and for the correct duration , and not to reach other sites in the body where drug toxicities occur

what is an analogy for pharmaceutics

the bridge that transforms a chemical (a new chemical entity) into a safe and effective dosage form that can be administered to humans:

what is the formulation process

drugs are mixed with excipients to yield a dosage form that is suitable for administration to humans

what does a finished dosage form contain

API plus nondrug (usually inert) ingredients (excipients)

what is an inert ingredient

describes something that is chemically inactive; does not produce a pharmacologic effect

what is an excipient

natural or synthetic materials formulated alongside the API of a medication, included for the purpose of long-term stabilization, bulking up solid formulations that contain potent API and achieving the goal of pharmaceutics

active pharmaceutical ingredient + excipients = ?

dosage form

what are the 4 main dosage forms

1) tablets

2) capsules

3) suspension

4) solution

what are the classifications of dosage forms based on physical appearance

solids, semisolids, liquids, gaseous

what are the classifications of dosage forms based on route of administration

• Oral (by mouth)

• Topical (on the skin)

• Otic (by ear)

• Ophthalmic (by eye)

• Nasal (by no

• Rectal (per rectum)

• Urethral (per urethra)

• Vaginal (per vagina)

• Parenteral (by a method other

than the digestive tra

why are dosage forms needed

1. To provide a mechanism for the safe and convenient delivery of an accurate dose to the site of activity

2. To protect drug substance from destructive influences of atmospheric oxygen or humidity (e.g., coated tablets, sealed ampules)

3. To protect drug substance from the destructive influence of gastric acid after oral administration (e.g., enteric-coated tablets)

4. To conceal bitter, salty or offensive taste or odor of a drug substance (e.g., capsules, coated tablets, flavored syrups)

5. To provide liquid preparations of drug substances, either as dispersions (suspensions) or as clear preparations (solutions)

6. To provide rate-controlled drug action (e.g., various controlled- release tablets, capsules and suspensions)

7. To provide optimal drug action from topical administration sites (e.g., ointments, creams, transdermal patches and ophthalmic, ear and nasal preparations)

8. To provide for insertion of a drug into one of the body orifices (e.g., rectal and vaginal suppositories)

9. To provide for placement of drugs directly in the bloodstream or body tissues (e.g., injections)

10. To provide for optimal drug action through inhalation therapy (e.g., inhalants and inhalation aerosols)