Forms of Drugs| Different Types of Dosage forms with examples.

Drugs are given in suitable dosage forms to ensure drug is well absorbed and reaches the site of action.

There are many forms of drug dosage forms

A single drug can exist in different dosage forms. For example, painkillers like diclofenac are available as tablets, injections, and even ointments.

This is done to facilitate easy administration and better adaptation to help medication adherence.

Forms of Drugs in Detail

The following are different drug formulations available.

1. Tablets
2. Capsules
3. Chewable tablets
4. Injections
5. Powders
6. Solutions
7. Emulsions
8. Suspensions
9. Lotions
10. Creams
11. Ointments
12. Effervescent granules
13. Aerosols
14. Suppositories

Tablets

• These are the most common drug types available on the market.

• They are economical, easy to handle, and consumed by the patient.

• They can be swallowed with a glass of water.

• They are of different shapes, such as circular and rectangular.

• They also come in different types, such as film-coated, enteric-coated, and sugar-coated.

2. Capsules

• These are similar to tablets in the ease of administration.

• They have two gelatin shells in which active drug ingredients are packed.

• They are also quite popular, like tablets, but are comparatively expensive to make.

• The advantage is that they can include a liquid form of a drug and also incompatible formulations in their shells.

3. Chewable tablets

• These are similar to tablets in appearance, but they are larger, with attractive colors, an odor, and a sweet taste.

• They are meant to be chewed in the mouth for the drug to release and show its effects. Ex: Antacid tablets.

4. Injections

• These are solution-based formulations that are given by the parenteral route.

• They are preferred for an unconscious patient or in case of an emergency.

• The drug action by this method starts almost immediately.

• They are of different types based on the site of injection.

5. Powders

• These are solid dosage forms in powder form.

• They are used for dusting and for external applications, such as wounds, cuts, and skin infections.

6. Syrups

• These are very popular formulations, having a drug dissolved in a suitable solvent.

• Swallowing a fixed volume of a liquid solution provides the drugs needed for the body’s treatment.

• These solutions are clear liquids but can have color, taste, and an acceptable odor.

• These are commonly used for elderly patients and children.

• The advantage is the faster onset of action and better drug absorption compared to tablets.

Eg, Oral syrups, eye drops, ear drops, nasal drops, etc.

7. Emulsions

• This is an interesting formulation in which a water-insoluble drug is solubilized by adding a soap-like emulsifying agent.

• This emulsifying agent disperses the water-insoluble drug as fine particles or globules in water by forming a film or covering around the drug particles. Read more on types of emulsions.

8. Suspensions

• These are liquid formulations, but the difference is that they have fine solid particles dispersed in an aqueous liquid.

• These formulations tend to form cream when kept undisturbed for a long time. Hence, they have the label “SHAKE WELL BEFORE USE.”

• This helps the settled cream disperse, ensuring uniform drug dosing.

9. Ointments

• These are semi-solid dosage forms.

• They can be either solutions, suspensions, or even emulsions, but have high viscosity.

• They are intended for application on the skin and other surfaces by spreading.

• They are easy to use and have the advantage of local effects to minimize the adverse effects of drugs.

10. Effervescent granules

• These granules, when in water, undergo a chemical reaction that produces gas.

• When swallowed, this removes gas from the stomach and helps relieve gastric acidity.

• They are also available as effervescent tablets.

11. Aerosols

• These are powder or liquid formulations that are applied by spraying.

• The formulation is released as a gaseous dispersion and can therefore reach deeper sites, such as the respiratory tract.

12. Suppositories

These are solid dosage forms intended for insertion into the anus. They release drugs slowly and are good for local action.

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