MOHI UD DIN ISLAMIC

INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE
FORMS
By

DR. MUSSADIQ LATIF

Student of 2ND Prof PharmD
 PHARMACEUTICS

Pharmaceutics is the science of dosage form design.

Pharmaceutics is the discipline of pharmacy that deals with all facets of

the process of turning a new chemical entity (NCE) into a medication able
to be safely and effectively used by patients in the community.

PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

A dosage form (DF) is the physical form of a dose of a chemical compound

used as a drug or medication intended for administration or consumption
PHARMACEUTIC
AL

DOSAGE
FORMS
SUPPOSITOR
PARANTERAL ORAL
Y
TOPICAL NASAL

Injectables Creams Gel Liniment Ointment Solid Rectal

Vagin
Injections Tablets
al

Capsul
Intravenous IV
es

Intramuscular
Liquid
IM

Subcutaneous Solutions

Infusion
Syrups
s

Implant
Elixirs
s

Tinctures

Suspensi
ons

Emulsion
s

Table 1.0 Classification of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

 ORAL ROUTE (S O L I D) DOSAGE FORM
S
1- Tablets

The solid dosage form consisting of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient

(API) and the excepients in Compressed fixed shape is called the Tablet.
The tablets may be Coated (film coated or Enteric Coated) or uncoated.

Some examples of tablets

Panadol (Paracetamol)

Novidat (Ciprofloxacin HCL)

Flagyl (Metronidazol)

Gravinate (Dimenhydrinate)

Disprin (Aspirin)

2- Capsules

The dosage form in which the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and
Excepients in the form of powder or granules are enclosed in a water
soluble Gelatin covering (body+cap).

Some examples of tablets

Nexium

Zidovudine

ORAL ROUTE (L I Q U I D) DOSAGE FORM

S
1- SOLUTIONS

The solutions may be aqueous or oily in nature. The common dosage

forms of solutions are;

(i) Syrups

The formulation containing sugar (or sugar substitutes) aqueous

solution as a vehicle with or without flavouring agent is called a syrup.

Examples of syrups are

Cold Plus Syrup (Paracetamol, BP 125mg,

PhenylephrineHydrochloride, BP 2.5mg, Chlorpheniramine Maleate,
BP 2.5mg)

Cororange Forte Syrup (Polymaltose 32mg)

 (ii) Elixirs

These are the sweetened hydro-alcoholic solutions containing the

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and usually accommodate less
amount of water are termed as Elixirs.

Examples of Elixirs are

Cough Syrups

(iii) Tinctures

The alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic solutions containing the herbal extracts

are called the Tinctures.

Examples of Tinctures are

Pyodine (Iodine Tincture)

2- SUSPENSIONS

A Pharmaceutical suspension is a coarse dispersion in which internal

phase is dispersed uniformly throughout the external phase.

The internal phase consisting of insoluble solid particles having a specific

range of size which is maintained uniformly through out the suspending
vehicle with aid of single or combination of suspending agent.

The external phase (suspending medium) is generally aqueous in some

instance, may be an organic or oily liquid for non oral use

Examples of Suspensions are

Brufen (Iboprufen)

Panadol (Paracetamol)

3- EMULSIONS

Biphasic system of two immiscible liquids in which one is dispersed in the

continuous phase in the form of globules is called the emulsion. The third
component of a typical emulsion is the emulsifying agent which is
intended for the stability of an emulsion. Emulsions commonly are of

Examples of Emulsions are

Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream

SUPPOSITORIES
1- RECTAL SUPPOSITORIES

The solid dosage form which is introduced into the rectum and melt at
body temperature is called a suppository. The liquid preparations
introduced into the rectum are Enemas. This route of administration is
suitable for the patients suffering from Vomiting.

Examples of rectal suppositories are

Glycerine (Lexative)

Bisacodyl (Lexative)

Antiematic (Thiethylperazine)

2- VAGINAL SUPPOSITORIES

Vaginal suppositories are commonly used to treat gynecological ailments,

including vaginal infections such as Candidiasis. This usually refers to
vaginal irrigation, the rinsing of the vagina, but it can also refer to the
rinsing of any body cavity. A douche bag is a piece of equipment for
douchinga bag for holding the fluid used in douching.

Examples of vaginal suppositories are

Miconazole

Clotrimazole

Tioconazole

Butoconazole

PARANTERAL ROUTE DOSAGE FORMS

1- INJECTABLES

The dosage forms which are intended to for administration using a

hypodermic (hollow pointed) needle (1853 by Dr. A wood). Can be
formulated as liquids or powders/lyophilisate for preparation of the
solution

Injectables are classified as belows

(i) Injections

These are the Injectables contained in the ampoules, vials closed with
the rubber cap. The following types of injections are the most common

a- Intravenous Injections (IV)

These are the injections directly introduced into the Venous Blood in
the form of bolus or slow IV.
Examples of IV injections are

Zinacef

Grasil

b- Intramuscular Injections (IM)

These are the injections directly introduced into the deep muscular
part intended for the slow absorption. These usually contain a oily
vehicle.

Examples of IV injections are

Dicloran (Diclofenac Sodium 75mg)

c- Subcutaneous Injections (sub cut)

A subcutaneous injection is administered as a bolus into the

subcutis, the layer of skin directly below the dermis and epidermis,
collectively referred to as the cutis. Subcutaneous injections are
highly effective in administering vaccines.

Examples of Subcutaneous Injections are:

Insulin

Morphine

Diacetylmorphine

Goserlin

d- Other Types

Other types of the injections include the following

i- Intradermal (ID)

Intradermal injections are injections given to a patient in

which the goal is to empty the contents of the syringe
between the layers of the skin.

ii- Intrasseous (IS)

Intraosseous infusion (IO) is the process of injection directly into the

marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to
provide fluids and medication when an IV line cannot be
useIntraperitoneal (IP)\

iii- Intraperitoneal (IP)

 Intraperitoneal injection or IP injection is the injection of a
substance into the peritoneum (body cavity). IP injection is
more often applied to animals than humans

(ii) Infusions

These are the Injectables contained in the plastic bags. Intravenous

therapy may be used to correct electrolyte imbalances, to deliver
medications, for blood transfusion or as fluid replacement to correct,
for example, dehydration.

Examples of infusions are

Dextrose Solution (5% or 10%)

Normal Saline Solution (0.9% NaCl Aq. Sol)

TOPICAL ROUTE DOSAGE FORMS

1- CREAMS

A cream is a topical preparation usually for application to the skin. Creams

are semi-solid emulsions, that is mixtures of oil and water. They are
divided into two types: oil-in-water (O/W) creams which are composed of
small droplets of oil dispersed in a continuous phase, and water-in-oil
(W/O) creams which are composed of small droplets of water dispersed in
a continuous oily phase

Examples of creams are

Cold Cream

Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream

2- GELS (BALMS)

Gels are defined as a substantially dilute cross-linked system, which

exhibits no flow when in the steady-state. By weight, gels are mostly
liquid, yet they behave like solids due to a three-dimensional cross-linked
network within the liquid. It is the crosslinks within the fluid that give a gel
its structure (hardness) and contribute to stickiness (tack). In this way gels
are a dispersion of molecules or particles within a liquid in which the solid
is the discontinuous phase and the liquid is the continuous phase.

Examples of gels are

Androfil Gel

Chlorben Gel (Benzocaine)

3- LINIMENTS
 Liniments (also called as Balm) are the pharmaceutical topical
preparations typically sold to relieve pain and stiffness, such as from sore
muscles or from arthritis. These liniments typically are formulated from
alcohol, acetone, or similar quickly evaporating solvents, and contain
counterirritant aromatic chemical compounds such as methyl salicilate,
benzoin resin or capsaicin.

Examples of liniments are

Opodeldoc

Absorbine

4- OINTMENTS

An ointment is a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid preparation, most

commonly a greasy, thick oil (oil 80% - water 20%) with a high viscosity,
that is intended for external application to the skin or mucous
membranes. They are used as emollients or for the application of active
ingredients to the skin for protective, therapeutic, or prophylactic
purposes and where a degree of occlusion is desired.

Examples of Ointments are

Fusidic Acid Ointment

Clindamycin Phosphate Ointment

5- OTHER FORMS

The other types of the topical route dosage forms for specified part or
organ include the following

a- Ottic Solutions (Ear Drops)

Ear drops are a form of medicine used to treat or prevent ear

infections, especially infections of the outer ear and ear canal (Otitis
externa)

Examples of Ottic Solutions are:

Ciprodex ear drops (Ciprofloxacin & dexamethasone)

Sofradex ear drops (Framycetin Sulphate, Gramicidin,

Dexamethasone)

b- Opthalmic Solutions (Eye Drops)

Eye drops are saline-containing drops used as a route to administer

medication in the eye.

Examples of Opthalmic Solutions are:

 Betnesol (Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate)

c- Transdermal Preparations (Skin Patches)

Intended for slow release of drugs e.g:

Examples of Nasal Sprays are

Ventolin (Fluticasone Propionate)

Zanamivir (Relenza)

NASAL ROUTE DOSAGE FORMS

6- AEROSOLS

Aerosol spray is a type of dispensing system which creates an aerosol mist

of liquid particles Examples of Nasal Sprays are

Flixonase (Fluticasone Propionate)

7- INHALERS

An inhaler or puffer is a medical device used for delivering medication into

the body via the lungs. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Examples of Nasal Sprays are

Ventolin (Fluticasone Propionate)

Zanamivir (Relenza)

8- INHALERS

An inhaler or puffer is a medical device used for delivering medication into

the body via the lungs. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Examples of Nasal Sprays are

Ventolin (Fluticasone Propionate)

Zanamivir (Relenza)
 References:

http://www.pharmatutor.org

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.medind.nic.in

http://www.livestrong.com

http://www.pravinpharma.com

http://www.thepharmaguide.com/

http://www.medicinenet.com/