TYPES OF DOSAGE FORMS AND

THEIR DEFINITIONS
Definition: The manner in which drug
substance are presented in the
market (e.g- solids, liquids or semi
solids)
• Solid dosage forms
• Powders: Solid dosage forms containing finely
divided particles in micron size.
• Tablets: Solid dosage form containing
medicaments with or without excipients.
• Granules: Aggregate of particles
• Capsules: Drug enclosed with gelatin capsule.
• Cachets: Drugs enclosed with wafer sheet of
rice.
• Pills: Small tablet containing excipients.
• Lozenges: Solid preparations containing sugar and
gum used to medicate mouth and throat.
• Suppositories: Solid dosage containing medicaments
with suitable suppository base that inserted in to the
body cavities other than mouth, like rectum, nose,
ear.
• InSufflation: Medicine mixed with dusting powder to
be deeply inhaled into body cavities.
• Poultices: Solid dosage form converted to paste like
preparation used externally in the skin to reduce
inflammation.
 Liquid dosage forms
• Collodions: Liquid preparations for external use having nitro cellulose
used to protect the skin.
• Draughts: Liquid preparations for oral containing medicaments available
in single dose or multiple dose.
• Elixirs: Liquid preparation for oral containing medicaments with suitable
excipients.
• Emulsions: Biphasic liquid dosage form for oral containing medicaments
in which fine oil globules dispersed in continuous phase.
• Suspensions: Biphasic liquid dosage form for oral containing
medicaments in which fine solid particles suspended in continuous
phase.
• Enemas: Liquid preparation for rectal containing medicaments.
• Gargles: Concentrated aqueous solutions for external use used to treat
throat infections .
• Irrigation: used as antiseptic for washing urinary bladder or vagina
• Gels: Aqueous colloidal suspensions containing medicaments used as
antacids.
• Linctuses: Viscous, liquid oral preparations used to relief cough.
• Lotions: Liquid preparations for external application usually applied without
friction
• Liniments: Liquid preparations for external application usually applied with
friction
• Mixtures: Liquid oral preparations containing one or more medicaments
• Mouth washes: Concentrated aqueous solutions for external use used to
treat mouth infections and oral hyginic.
• Nasal drops: Liquid preparations containing medicaments that are instilled in
to the nose with a dropper used to treat nose infections and blockage of
nose.
• Paints: Liquid preparations for external application to the skin or mucous
membrane with soft brush
• Solutions : Clear liquid preparation containing with or without medicaments
used to internal or external preparations
• Syrups: Sweet, viscous, concentrated liquid preparations containing with or
without sugar and medicaments
 Semisolid dosage forms
• Ointments: Semisolid dosage forms for external use
containing with or without medicaments with suitable
ointment base 2. Creams: Semisolid dosage forms for
external use containing with or without medicaments with
suitable fatty base.
• Paste: Semisolid dosage forms for external use containing
high proportion of finely powdered medicaments with
suitable fatty base
• Gels: Transparent semisolid dosage forms for external use
containing hydrophilic or hydrophobic base with gelling
agents
• Poultices: Semisolid dosage forms for external use
containing medicaments applied to the skin to hold the
dressing and protective
 Gaseous dosage forms
• Aerosols: Suspension of fine solid or liquid
particles with gas used to apply drug to
respiratory tract having atomizer with in device
• Inhalations: Internal liquid preparations
containing medicaments dissolved in suitable
solvent or if insoluble suspended in the
propellent.
• Sprays: Gaseous preparations of drugs containing
alcohol applied to mucous membrane of nose or
throat with atomizer or nebulizer
 NEW DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM
• Liposomes: A liposome is a spherical-shaped vesicle that is
composed of one or more phospholipid bilayers, which closely
resembles the structure of cell membranes. The ability of
liposomes to encapsulate hydrophilic or lipophilic drugs have
allowed these vesicles to become useful drug delivery systems.
• E.g doxorubicin, amphotericin B, gentamycin.
• Microspheres:microspheres are ideal vehicles for many
controlled delivery applications due to their ability to
encapsulate a variety of drugs, biocompatibility, high
bioavailability and sustained drug release characteristics. E.g
mitomyein C, 5-flourouracil, adriamycin, enzymes and protein.
• Nano particles:
These are colloidal particulate of drug molecule, size
ranges from 10 to 1000 nm these are solid spheres &
their surface is amorphous & lipophilic. E.g are
enzyme replacement therapy in liver, treatment of
cancer and vaccinations.
• Monoclonal antibodies: these are artificial proteins
which show specificity for single antigen. E.g includes
in cancer treatment.
• Microcapsules: it is tiny particles or droplets
surrounded by different coating to incorporate
enzyme, cells or other material.
• Osmotic pumps: it is use tendency of fluid to equalize
conc. Of substances on both sides of semi permeable
membrane. It can deliver different drugs at different
rate. Example:Acuteim & Acusystem C to release
phenylpropanolamine & vitamin C respectively.
• Ion exchange resin system: in this a polymer act as
medium for ion exchange. In GI tract drug molecule is
exchanged and drug is released at controlled release.
• Transdermal drug delivery system: these are
laminated patches which stick to skin & permit
absorption of drugs. E.g nitro discs for nitroglycerin.
Catapress for colinidine.
• Implants: these are sterile polymeric devises of
different sizes, containing one or more
medicaments for introduction into body.
• Nasal drug delivey system:
Sprays pumps & aerosoles gives controlled
delivery of nasal products.
• Intrauterine devices: inserted into uterus for
contraception.
• Example: tatum –T(T shaped) known as Copper
T, Cu-7 (7 shaped) made up of propylene with
copper wire.