Caplet
Solid dosage form for oral use; shaped like a capsule an coated for ease of swallowing
Capsule
Solid dosage form for oral use; medication in powder, liquid, or oil form encased by gelatin shell; colored to aid in product identification
Elixer
Clear fluid containing water and/or alcohol; designed for oral use; usually has sweetener added
Enteric-coated tablet
Tablet for oral use coated with materials that do not dissolve in the stomach; coatings dissolve in the intestine; where medication is absorbed
Extract
Concentration medication form made by removing active portion of medication from its other components
Glycerite
Solution of medication combined with glycerin for external use; contains at least 50% glycerin
Intraocular disc
Small, flexible oval consisting of two soft, outer layers and a middle layer containing medication;when moistened by ocular fluid, releases medication for up to one week
Liniment
Preparation usually containing alcohol, oil, or soapy emollient that is applied to the skin
Lotion
Medication in liquid suspension applied externally to protect the skin
Ointment
Semi-solid, externally applied preparation, usually containing one or more medications (salve, cream, or unguent)
Paste
Semi-solid preparation, thicker and stiffer than ointment, absorbed through skin more slowly than ointment
Pill
solid dosage form containing one or more medications, shaped into globules, ovoids, or oblong shapes; true ones are rarely used because they have been replaced by tablets
Solution
Liquid preparation that may be used orally, parenterally, or externally; can also be instilled into the body organ or cavity; contains water with one or more dissolved compounds; must be sterile for parenteral use
Suppository
Solid dosage form mixed with gelatin and shaped in form of pellet for insertion into body cavity (rectum or vagina); melts when it reaches body temperature, releasing medication for absorption
Suspension
Finely divided drug particles dispersed in liquid medium; when this is left standing, particles settle to bottom of container; commonly oral medication and not given intravenously
Syrup
Medication dissolved in concentrated sugar solution; may contain flavoring to make medication more palatable
Tablet
Powder dosage form compressed into hard discs or cylinders; in addition to primary medication, contains binders, disintegrators, lubricants, and fillers
Tincture
Alcohol or water-alcohol medication solution
Transdermal patch
medication contained within semipermeable membrane disk or patch, which allows medications to be absorbed through skin sloly over long period (comes in disc form as well)
Troche (lozenge)
Flat, round dosage form containing medication, flavoring, sugar, and mucilage; dissolves in mouth to release medication