Pharmacy Dosage Forms

There are a great variety of pharmacy dosage forms. This page discusses many of the common pharmacy dosage forms and clearly defines each one.

Tablets are a solid dosage form which varies in size, weight, shape, and other ways. There are a couple different tablet types.

Enteric-Coated tablets have a coating on them which causes them to be dissolved in the intestinal tract instead of in the stomach. An example is Enteric-Coated Aspirin.

Buccal tablets are intended to be placed in the buccal pouch (between the gums and the cheek) and slowly dissolved. This dosage form does not pass through the gastrointestinal tract-it is absorbed into the bloodstream directly.

Sublingual tablets are intended to be placed under the tongue. Similar to buccal tablets, sublingual tablets are directly absorbed into the bloodstream and bypass the intestines.

Chewable tablets are meant to be chewed before swallowing.

Lozenges and Troches are intended to be dissolved while held in the mouth. This medication form is intended to stay in contact with the throat and mouth over an extended amount of time.

Effervescent tablets release carbon dioxide and rapidly dissolve in water. They should never be swallowed or chewed. They should always be placed in a water and dissolved.

Orally Disintegrating Tablets are tablets that must dissolved on the tongue.

Capsules are a solid dosage form enclosed in a hard shell or soft gelatin coating. When taken with water, the capsules' coating becomes slippery and easy to swallow.

Liquid Oral Dosage Forms

An Elixir is a preparation that contains a hydroalcoholic liquid that has a clear color. It is intended to be consumed orally.

A Suspension is a preparation that contains tiny particles that are solid. These particles are suspended (not dissolved) in the liquid.

A Syrup is a preparation that contains a concentrated sugar solution in water with other active ingredients.

A Solution contains ingredients of a medication that are solid. These ingredients are dissolved in the liquid (normally the liquid is water.)

A Reconstitution is a medication that is in a powdered form. A suspension is made from this powder by adding a very specific amount of distilled water. It is important to shake the suspension well after adding the water. Some reconstitutions, after adding water, require refrigeration.



Topical Dosage Forms

Ointments are used topically on the skin to assist in wound healing, to alleviate itchiness or discomfort, or to make the skin feel softer. They are usually of a greasy consistency; and are smooth in texture.

Gels are a solid but malleable mixture that exhibits characteristics of both a liquid and a solid. Wound gels are especially good at helping difficult to heal wounds, such as burns. Gels are good at keeping their form and providing a protective barrier once applied.

Creams are a mixture of oil and water that is used topically and applied to the skin. Oil-water creams are non-greasy and wash away easily, while water-in-oil creams have more of a greasy feeling and are slightly more messy to work with. The benefit of water-in-oil creams is that they can handle drugs that are hydrophobic, and also provide better moisturizing benefits to the skin because the oily layer seals in moisture.

An Emulsion is a mixture of any two liquids that won't dissolve into each other and mix together. They can range from a cream to a paste to an orally administered liquid. Calamine lotion is a commonly used emulsion. Emulsions are applied directly onto the skin.

Topical Solutions are applied directly to the skin. The type of solution will affect the absorption rate through the skin, resulting in a different dosage strength depending on the form of the solution and how well it gets absorbed through the skin.

Pledgets are small and absorbent pads used to medicate, protect and help drain a wound or sore. These can be applied directly to the affected area and held in place with gauze or medical tape. The pledget can be used to cover a wound hole to prevent infection and also help protect against pain from incidental contact from clothing and similar items.



Rectal Dosage Forms

Suppositories are small plugs of medication that are designed to melt at body temperature when inserted into the rectum. The method of application is to insert the suppository far enough into the rectum that it will stay there and then simply allow it to melt over time, releasing the medication.

Rectal Creams are designed to be applied specifically to the rectum or rectal area. They are usually greasy and often uncomfortable to use. Hemorrhoids are a common condition that is treated by the use of rectal cream.



Vaginal Dosage Forms

Vaginal Creams are applied via applicator directly to the vagina. The most common use will be to apply before going to sleep, to help allow the cream to stay in place and prevent discharge during daily activities. Vaginal creams can be used to treat vaginal dryness, yeast infections and other infections of the vagina.

Vaginal Suppositories are small plugs of medication, designed to be inserted directly into the vagina. After insertion, they will melt away from the heat of the body and the medicine is delivered as the suppository dissolves. They can be used to treat a variety of gynecological ailments, and usually deliver a numbing or pain relief agent along with the medicine to treat the cause of the infection.

Vaginal Tablets are typically coated in a film, and applied with an applicator. The goal is to place them as far into the vagina as possible, where they will release medicine as they dissolve. Hormones are frequently delivered in this manner, for women needing a treatment that involves a hormone regimen.

Vaginal Rings are flexible rings worn inside the vagina. The typical vaginal ring is worn for 3 weeks before being removed for one week, and then a new ring is inserted after to start the next cycle. The ring slowly delivers hormones into the body to act as a form of birth control. Tests and studies have reported good results and positive feedback from women wearing vaginal rings, and very low instances of issues with the rings either staying inserted properly or falling out.



Ophthalmic Dosage Forms

Ophthalmic Suspensions are a form a mixture where medicine or medicines are suspended in a liquid base and meant to be applied directly to the eye. Treatment of pressure, pain or glaucoma are common things that would be treated with an Ophthalmic suspension.

Ophthalmic Solutions are mostly water-based, and are delivered directly to the eye. Eye drops are a common example of an Ophthalmic solution. Eye drops are usually used to treat symptoms such as dry or red eyes, rather than causes.

Ophthalmic Gels are applied directly to the eye, usually before bedtime. The easiest manner to apply them is to pull the lower eyelid out (creating a pouch) and apply the dose of gel into this pouch. Then close your eyes and roll the eyeball around to spread out the gel. Treating glaucoma is one common use of an Ophthalmic gel.

Ophthalmic Ointments are designed for use around the eyes and are safe enough that incidental contact with the eye itself is acceptable. These can be used to treat or prevent infections in wounds close to the eye.



Otic Dosage Forms

Otic Suspensions are delivered directly into the ear, usually to treat an ear infection. An Otic suspension would also be used in the case of a ruptured eardrum. Typical application is done by having the patient lie on their side with the affected ear turned upwards and the suspension is then allowed to drain directly into the ear.

Otic Solutions are used to treat ear infections. Solutions are often more likely to cause discomfort in the patient, due to a lower pH value than similar suspensions. Application is similar to than of an Otic suspension, the liquid is applied directly into the ear and allowed to drain downward into the affected area.

Pharmacy Dosage Form Codes -
Used When Billing For Reimbursement on Compounded Prescriptions

This section is on Pharmacy Dosage Form CODES, when used while billing insurance.  These Rx Dosage Form Codes are required when submitting a claim, electronically, to an insurance carrier, when requesting reimbursement for a Compounded Prescription.

18- Enema;

17- Lozenge;

16- Syrup;

15- Elixir,

14- Shampoo,

13- Lotion,

12- Suspension,

11- Solution,

10- Tablet,

07- Liquid,

06- Emulsion,

05- Powder,

04- Suppository,

03- Cream,

02- Ointment,

01- Capsule.


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