Medication Forms

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one or more medications, shaped into globules, ovoids, or oblong shapes; true ones are rarely used because they have been replaced by tablets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