Anshul the Pharmacist

Pharmacy: an introduction
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Introduction to dosage forms

Pharmaceutics is the science of converting a medicinal agent into a suitable form which allows easy administration. Broadly the dosage forms can be classified into the following categories: Solid Dosage forms Liquid dosage forms semisolid dosage forms Others : like aerosols The dosage forms can also be categorized on the basis of their route of administration asOral Parenteral Topical rectal Nasal ocular others ;transdermals etc. According to USFDA, the major dosage forms are: Aeros ol-A product that is packaged under pressure and contains therapeutically active ingredients that are released upon activation of an appropriate valve system; it is intended for topical application to the skin as well as local application into the nose (nasal aerosols), mouth (lingual aerosols), or lungs (inhalation aerosols).

Aeros ol, foam-A dosage form containing one or more active ingredients, surfactants, aqueous or nonaqueous liquids, and the propellants; if the propellant is in the internal (discontinuous) phase (i.e., of the oil-in-water type), a stable foam is discharged, and if the propellant is in the external

(continuous) phase (i.e., of the water-in-oil type), a spray or a quick-breaking foam is discharged.

Aeros ol,metered-A pressurized dosage form consisting of metered dose valves which allow for the delivery of a uniform quantity of spray upon each activation.

Aeros ol,powder-A product that is packaged under pressure and contains therapeutically active ingredients, in the form of a powder, that are released upon activation of an appropriate valve system.

Aeros ol, s pray- An aerosol product which utilizes a compressed gas as the propellant to provide the force necessary to expel the product as a wet spray; it is applicable to solutions of medicinal agents in aqueous solvents.

Chewable Bar-A solid dosage form usually in the form of a rectangle that is meant to be chewed.

Extended releas e bead, implant-A small sterile solid mass consisting of a highly purified drug intended for implantation in the body which would allow at least a reduction in dosing frequency as compared to that drug presented as a conventional dosage form.

Bloc k -Solid dosage form, usually in the shape of a square or rectangle

Caps ule-A solid oral dosage form consisting of a shell and a filling. The shell is composed of a single sealed enclosure, or two halves that fit together and which are sometimes sealed with a band. Capsule shells may be made from gelatin, starch, or cellulose, or other suitable materials, may be soft or hard, and are filled with solid or liquid ingredients that can be poured or squeezed.

Cement-A substance that serves to produce solid union between two surfaces.

Conc entrate-A liquid preparation of increased strength and reduced volume which is usually diluted prior to

administration. Cone-A solid dosage form bounded by a circular base and the surface formed by line segments joining every point of the boundary of the base to a common vertex. A cone (usually containing antibiotics) is normally placed below the gingiva after a dental extraction. Creams -An emulsion, semisolid3 dosage form, usually containing > 20% water and volatiles5 and/or < 50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle. This dosage form is generally for external application to the skin or mucous membranes. Douc he-A liquid preparation, intended for the irrigative cleansing of the vagina, that is prepared from powders, liquid solutions, or liquid concentrates and contains one or more chemical substances dissolved in a suitable solvent or mutually miscible solvents. Elixir-A clear, pleasantly flavored, sweetened hydroalcoholic liquid containing dissolved medicinal agents; it is intended for oral use. Emuls ion-A dosage form consisting of a two-phase system comprised of at least two immiscible liquids1, one of which is dispersed as droplets (internal or dispersed phase) within the other liquid (external or continuous phase), generally stabilized with one or more emulsifying agents. (Note: Emulsion is used as a dosage form term unless a more specific term is applicable, e.g. cream, lotion, ointment.) Enema-A rectal preparation for therapeutic, diagnostic, or nutritive purposes. Extrac t-A concentrated preparation of vegetable or animal drugs obtained by removal of the active constituents of the respective drugs with a suitable menstrua, evaporation of all or nearly all of the solvent, and adjustment of the residual masses or powders to the prescribed standards. Gel-A semisolid3 dosage form that contains a gelling agent to provide stiffness to a solution or a colloidal dispersion.4 A gel may contain suspended particles. Injec tion-A sterile preparation intended for parenteral use; five distinct classes of injections exist as defined by the USP. Irrigant-A sterile solution intended to bathe or flush open wounds or body cavities; they're used topically, never parenterally. Jelly-A class of gels, which are semisolid systems that consist of suspensions made up of either small inorganic particles or large organic molecules interpenetrated by a liquid--in which the structural coherent matrix contains a high portion of liquid, usually water.

Liniment-A solution or mixture of various substances in oil, alcoholic solutions of soap, or emulsions intended for external application. Lotion-An emulsion, liquid1 dosage form. This dosage form is generally for external application to the skin. Lozenge-A solid preparation containing one or more medicaments, usually in a flavored, sweetened base which is intended to dissolve or disintegrate slowly in the mouth. A lollipop is a lozenge on a stick. Mouthwas h-An aqueous solution which is most often used for its deodorant, refreshing, or antiseptic effect. Ointment-A semisolid3 dosage form, usually containing <20% water and volatiles5 and >50% hydrocarbons, waxes, or polyols as the vehicle. This dosage form is generally for external application to the skin or mucous membranes. Pas te-A semisolid3 dosage form, containing a large proportion (20 50%) of solids finely dispersed in a fatty vehicle. This dosage form is generally for external application to the skin or mucous membranes. Patc h-A drug delivery system that often contains an adhesive backing that is usually applied to an external site on the body. Its ingredients either passively diffuse from, or are actively transported from, some portion of the patch. Depending upon the patch, the ingredients are either delivered to the outer surface of the body or into the body. A patch is sometimes synonymous with the terms extended release film and system. Pellet-A small sterile solid mass consisting of a highly purified drug (with or without excipients) made by the formation of granules, or by compression and molding. Pill-A small, round solid dosage form containing a medicinal agent intended for oral administration. Poultic e-A soft, moist mass of meal, herbs, seed, etc., usually applied hot in cloth that consists of gruel-like consistency. Powder-An intimate mixture of dry, finely divided drugs and/or chemicals that may be intended for internal or external use. Solution-A clear, homogeneous liquid1 dosage form that contains one or more chemical substances dissolved in a solvent or mixture of mutually miscible solvents. Spray-A liquid minutely divided as by a jet of air or steam. Suppos itory- A solid body of various weights and shapes, adapted for introduction into the rectal orifice of the human body; they usually melt, soften, or dissolve at body

temperature. Sus pens ion-A liquid1 dosage form that contains solid particles dispersed in a liquid vehicle. Syrup-An oral solution containing high concentrations of sucrose or other sugars; the term has also been used to include any other liquid dosage form prepared in a sweet and viscid vehicle, including oral suspensions. Tablet-A solid dosage form containing medicinal substances with or without suitable diluents. Tinc ture-An alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution prepared from vegetable materials or from chemical substances. Wafer-A thin slice of material containing a medicinal agent. Footnotes: 1 A liquid is pourable; it flows and conforms to its container at room temperature. It displays Newtonian or pseudoplastic flow behavior. 2 Previously the definition of a lotion was The term lotion has been used to categorize many topical suspensions, solutions, and emulsions intended for application to the skin. The current definition of a lotion is restricted to an emulsion. 3 A semisolid is not pourable; it does not flow or conform to its container at room temperature. It does not flow at low shear stress and generally exhibits plastic flow behavior.
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