INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

Dosage forms are the safe, effective and stable terms in which medication will be delivered into the body. Dosage forms
are essentially pharmaceutical product which are marketed for use typically involving a mixture of active drug components
and excipients (non-drug components). These dosage forms are classified in a number of ways as mentioned below by
which drug molecules are delivered to the site of action.

1. Form wise
i. Solid dosage form
ii. Liquid dosage form
iii. Semi-solid dosage form
2. Route wise
i. Oral dosage form
ii. Topical dosage form
iii. Parenteral dosage form
3. Release rate
i. Sustained release
ii. Prolonged release
iii. Controlled release
iv. Targeted drug delivery
Important definitions of dosage forms:

Cachets: They are solid dosage form meant for oral administration of nauseous and disagreeable drug substances. These
are moulded from rice paper, a material made by pouring a mixture of rice flour and water between two hot polished
revolving cylinders upon which water evaporates and a sheet of wafer is formed. In the filling of cachet, the medicament is
placed between two pieces of a cachet which are then either wet sealed or dry sealed. Cachets are made in a variety of
size holding from 0.2 to 2 grams of powder of medium density. Before administration they are softened by immersion in
water for a few seconds and then taken with a draught of water.
Elixirs: Elixirs are clear liquid, oral hydroalcoholic preparation contain potent and nauseous drugs which are plenty
flavoured and usually attractive coloured.
Syrups: Syrups are concentration aqueous preparation of sugar or sugar substances with or without flavouring agent and
medical substances.

(a) Medicated Syrup

(b) Flavoured Syrup

Syrup IP is 66.7% w/w solution of sucrose whereas syrup USP is 85% w/v or 64.74% w/w solution of sucrose in
purified water.

Draughts: Draughts are oral liquid preparation meant to take as a single dose.

Ear drops: They are liquid preparations meant for instillation in to ear. In these preparations, the drug is usually dissolved
or suspended in a suitable solvent.

Eye drops: They are aqueous and oily solutions or suspensions of one or more active ingredients for instillation in to the
eye sac. These are sterile, free from foreign particles and irritating effect.
Ointments: Ointments are semisolid preparation indented to adhere to the skin or certain mucous membranes. They are
usually solutions or dispersions of one or more medicaments in non-aqueous bases.

Gargles: Gargles are aqueous solution used to prevent or treat infection. They are usually available in concentrated form
with direction for dilution with warm water before use. They are brought into intimate contact with mucous membrane of
throat and are allowed to remain in contact with it for few second, before they are thrown out of mouth. Phenol or thymol
may be present in low concentrations which exert mild anaesthetic effect.

Creams: Creams are viscous semisolids are usually o/w emulsions (aqueous Creams) or w/o emulsions (oily creams).

Gels: Gels are transparent or translucent semisolid or solid preparations, consisting of solution of one or more active
ingredients in suitable hydrophilic or hydrophobic bases. They are made with aid of suitable gelling agent.

Pastes: They are semi-solid preparations for topical application that differ from similar product in containing higher
proportions of finely divided medicaments. They are much stiff than ointment and are used principally as absorbents,
antiseptics properties or to smooth broken skin surfaces.

Tablets: Tablet is defined as a compressed solid unit dosage form containing medicaments with or without excipients.

Capsules: Capsules are solid dosage form usually containing one dose of drug enclosed within a small water-soluble shell
of a suitable form of gelatin. They are of two types hard gelatin and soft gelatin capsules.

Pessaries: Pessaries are solid dosage forms meant for introduction in to the vagina where they melt or dissolve and exert
a local action. These are also known as vaginal suppositories.
Pills: Pills are small, round solid dosage forms containing one or more active ingredients meant for oral administration. Pills
are formerly the most extensively used oral dosage form but they have been largely replaced by compressed tablets and
capsules.

Linctuses: They are viscous, sweet, liquid oral preparations that are usually prescribed for the relief of cold. For best
results, linctuses should be used without dilution and sipped and swallowed slowly to ensure prolonged contact with the
mucous membrane of the throat. E.g. Codeine linctus, tolu linctus.
Lotions: Lotions are liquid or semi-liquid preparations meant for application to unbroken skin without friction. They are
either dabbed on the skin or applied on a suitable dressing and covered with water proof material to reduce evaporation.

Lozenges: Lozenges are solid dosage forms containing medicaments in a sweetened and flavoured base intended to
dissolve slowly in the mouth. The base may be a hard sugar candy, glycerinated gelatin or a combination of sugar with
sufficient gum to give it form. They are also known as Troches.
Mouth washes: Mouth washes are aqueous solutions containing one or more active ingredients for use in contact with the
mucous membrane of the oral cavity usually after dilution with warm water. They are used for cleansing, refreshing,
deodorising, and antiseptic action.
Nasal drops: They are solutions, suspensions or emulsions containing active ingredients intended for instillation in to the
nostrils usually with the help of a dropper.

Nasal sprays: They are suspensions or solution of drugs intended for spraying in to the nostrils. The chief uses of nasal
sprays are to relieve nasal congestion and inflammation and to treat infections.