Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration – Quick Review

Pharmacy Abbreviations

Pharmacy shorthand arose from Latin and Greek. Variations in handwriting and interpretation increase error risk, so The Joint Commission and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices maintain a “Do Not Use” list (e.g., look-alike dose times, ambiguous symbols). When an order is unclear, clarification is required even under time pressure.

Medication Classification

Drugs are grouped by pharmacology, intended use, route, mechanism, or affected body system. For sales, they fall into over-the-counter, legend (prescription), and behind-the-counter categories.

Dosage Forms

Solids: tablets (coated, scored, chewable, orally disintegrating, extended-release), caplets, capsules, lozenges, troches, biomaterial implants, and transdermal patches.

Liquids: solutions, syrups, elixirs (hydro-alcoholic), spirits, sprays, metered-dose inhalers, emulsions, suspensions, and enemas (retention or evacuation).

Semisolids: creams, lotions, ointments, gels, pastes, suppositories, and medicated powders.

Routes of Administration

Oral (including sublingual, buccal, orally disintegrating), rectal, topical, parenteral (intravenous, intravenous piggyback, intramuscular, subcutaneous), ophthalmic, otic, nasal, inhalation, and specialized injectables (depot, ampule, vial). Miscellaneous routes include vaginal and urethral.

Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to a drug: absorption (membranes, receptors), distribution, metabolism (prodrugs, first-pass effect), elimination, and resulting bioavailability. Half-life measures the time for drug concentration to fall by half; it shapes dosing intervals. Bioequivalence compares rate and extent of absorption; the FDA’s Orange Book lists therapeutically equivalent products. Pharmacodynamics covers what the drug does to the body.

Excipients (Additives)

Inactive ingredients improve stability, palatability, or delivery: antifungals, bases, buffers, colorings, fillers, flavorings, preservatives, sweeteners, weak acid/base salts.

Packaging & Storage

Manufacturers specify temperature and repackaging limits in the package insert; adherence preserves potency and shelf life.

Medical Terminology Basics

Medical terms build from four parts: prefix (e.g., peri-), root (cardia), combining form (cardi/o), and suffix (-itis). Familiarity with standard abbreviations aids safe transcription of dosage forms and routes.