Pharmacy Dosage Forms

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

Solid Oral Dosage Forms

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.

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.

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