Pharmacy Tech

Tablets

The most common solid dosage forms available. Vary in shape, size, weight, color, dissolution properties, method of delivery. Some are scored with a groove that allows it to be easily broken to provide additional medication strengths.

Buccal Tablets

Designed to dissolve slowly when placed between the cheek and gums. Bypasses the digestive tract. Gives prolonged release of medication.

Sublingual Tablets (SL)

Designed to dissolve immediately and produce a rapid drug response when placed under the tongue, not swallowed. Skin underneath the tongue is thin and allows medication to be quickly absorbed. By passes the digestive tract. Ex: Sublingual Nitroglycerin Ta

Chewable Tablets

Designed to be easily chewed and then swallowed. Dissolution properties are different than swallowed tablets

Effervescent Tablets

Uses a chemical rxn (the release of carbon dioxide gas) to hasten tablet dissolution. Should be dissolved in a glass of water or other liquid before ingestion. Ex: Alka-Seltzer

Enteric-coated Tablets

Coated to delay the release of medication until the tablet has reached the intestinal tract. Release of the medication into the stomach may render the medication inactive or may irritate the stomach lining. Ex: Enteric Coated Aspirin

Film-Coated

Used to mask taste. Ex: Tylenol Caplets

Capsules

Solid dosage forms in which the medication is enclosed in a shell of either hard or soft gelatin. Hard capsules contain powders, granules, or beads. Ex: Powder- Keflex; Granules/Beads- Fastin. Soft capsules contain medication in liquid form. Ex: Vitamin E

Pills

Were made from powdered natural materials such as plants and animal organs. Powder was combined with a sticky material so that it could be rolled into a round mass called a pill. Out-dated dosage form. Ppl often use "pill" to refer to any solid dosage for

Controlled-Released Products

Formulated to produce a constant release of medication over an extended period of time. Allows for consistent blood level for a longer duration. Reduces the number of doses that must be taken. Designated in various ways: LA- long acting- Entex LA; SA- sus

Pastilles, Lozenges

Dissolve in mouth. Provide medication to the oral cavity. Look similar to hard candy. Ex: Cough Drops

Troches

Can be hard or have gummy consistency. Provide medication to the oral cavity. Ex: Mycelex Troches

Powders

Solid dosage forms which have been crushed to make a fine powder. Can be used internally or externally. Internally - typically mixed into a liquid to improve the taste and make it easier to swallow. Ex: Questran Powder. Externally- topically. Ex: Tinactin

Suppositories

Designed to be inserted into a body cavity. Rectum, urethra, vagina. Designed to melt at internal body temperature (98.6F or 37C) to release medication into the body. Can provide a local effect or be absorbed into the blood stream to give systemic effect.

Vaginal Tablets

Inserted into the vagina where they dissolve to provide: Topical effect, Systemic effect.

Liquid Dosage Forms

Provide a route for medication to those patients who cannot swallow solid dosage forms: young, elderly, after oral surgery. The physical properties usually differ from solid dosasge forms. Can have shorter shelf life. May need to be refrigerated. May need

Solutions

Prepared by the complete dissolution of medication(s) in a suitable liquid. Can be taken internally. Ex: Pediacare. Applied externally. Ex: A.T.S. Topical Solution. Syrups or solutions that contain sugar. Ex: Zyrtex Syrup used as antihistamine, Syrup of I

Suspensions

Liquids in which the medication doesn't completely dissolve but rather is suspended in a liquid formulation. In time, the suspended particles will settle to the bottom and must be redistributed by shaking. Bottles of suspension medications must be shaken

Reconstituted Liquids

Require the addition of distilled water w/in the dispensing pharmacy. Stored as a powder due to the rapid deterioration of the medication when stored in the liquid form. Needs to be shaken after reconstitution and before use. Most (not all) need to be ref

Emulsions

Preparations containing oil and water. Oil is suspended in the water w/ the help of emulsifying agents. In time, the oil and water separate to form 2 clearly visible layers. Shaking the emulsion will redisperse the layers. Must be shaken before dispensing

Elixirs

Clear sweet combinations of water and alcohol. Intended for oral use. Ex: Novahistine DH

Fluid Extracts and Tinctures

Contains plant extract as the active ingredient in water and/or alcohol. Ex: Tincture of Benzion Cmpd

Spirits and Essences

Contain substances that evaporate quickly in ambient conditions. Keeping in airtight containers can prevent losses due to evaporation.

Foams

Systems in which gas have been incorporated into a liquid and when released the entrapped gas gives the product a very light consistency. Ex: Proctofoam

Shampoo

An easy method to apply medication to the scalp. Due to large amt of hair, other topical preparations are difficult to use in this area. Ex: Lindane Shampoo - for treatment of head and crab lice

Colloids

Liquid preparations which dry to form a flexible film that can be removed from the skin. Ex: Duofilm- for treatment of warts

Mouthwash/Rinse

Provide medication to the oral cavity. Patients are usually directed to swish and swallow or swish and spit. Ex: Peridex Oral Rinse, Listerine Mouth Wash

Parenteral Medications

Sterile products administered by injection or infusion in order to bypass the gastrointestinal tract. Administration involves the use of a needle to penetrate the skin. Bypassing the skin disrupts the body's major defense against infection; therefore, par

Inhalation Solutions

Placed in a nebulizer to provide topical application of medication to the respiratory tract. Ex: Albuterol Inhalation Soltuions

Ointments

Intended for applying medication to the skin or mucous membrane. Good for dry skin or areas that need protection. Greasy and difficult to remove. Ex: Bactroban Ointment

Creams

Moisturize the skin w/out being greasy. Easily rinsed off. Referred to as "vanishing creams" b/c they are translucent and leave the skin surface dry and non-tacky. Ex: Bactroban cream

Lotions

Similar to creams. Typically, thinner in consistency to aid in covering a greater body area and areas heavily covered w/ hair. Ex: Hytone Lotions

Gels & Jellies

Semi-solid system which contains very small particles of liquid medication. Application of gel results in dry surface. Easy to apply to body areas covered w/ hair. Ex: Retin-A Gel

Pastes

Ointments to which a large quantity of insoluble solids have been added to make an ointment stiff. Relatively impermeable to water and create a good protective barrier for the skin. Ideal for diaper rash and similar conditions. Ex: Nitro-paste

Liniments

Contain various substances that give a heat-producing effect used for relief of pain of muscle aches. Ex: Bengay

Tape

Quick and easy way to apply topical medications. Medication is allowed to absorb from the tape into the skin. Improves absorption of the medication and provide a protective barrier. Ex: Cordran Tape

Transdermal Patches

Hold medication in a reservoir designed to provide a continual supply of medication over a period of time. Medication is absorbed into the blood through the skin. Ex: Transderm-Nitro, Duragesic (Fentanyl); Estraderm (Estradiol patch); Catapress TSS (Cloni

Aerosols

Provide medication to the respiratory tract. Can be accomplished by using a metered dose inhaler or a nebulizer system. Medication travels through the air in very small particles or w/in tiny water droplets and lands on the mucous membranes of the respira

Implants

Surgically placed subcutaneously to release medication over a long period of time. Surgically removed after the period of effectiveness. Example: Norplant

Chewing Gum

Can be used deliver medication to the oral cavity or systemically if the medication is absorbed through the oral mucosa. As the patient chews, the gum releases medication. Release can be controlled w/ special chewing patterns. Ex: Nicorette Gum

Adminstration Devices

Some dosage forms require the use of a specific device to aid in proper use. Proper use of these devices can be a challenge for patients to learn; therefore, it is important for the pharmacist to be sure that the patient knows how to use them correctly.

Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI)

Deliver medication to the respiratory tract. Can be difficult to use. Require coordination and timing to receive maximum benefit. Ex: Atrovent Inhalation Aerosol, Albuterol MDI

Nebulizers

Deliver medication to the respiratory tract through a mouthpiece or mask. Attached to a source of compressed air that propels medication in the form of very fine particles or as tiny droplets to the respiratory tract. Ex: Albuterol used in a Nebulizer

Spacers

Placed on inhaled medication canisters to improve a patient's administration technique. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Require a prescription from a physician. Ex: Aero-chamber

Nasal Sprays

Deliver topical medication to the nasal passages. Ex: Nasonex Nasal Spray.
Deliver systemic medication. Ex: Stadol Nasal Spray.

Eye/Ear Droppers

Allows patients to administer accurate doses of medication to the eye or ear easily. Most medications intended for this use are supplies with a dropper bottle, although it may need to be assembled. Eyedroppers must be sterile.

Plunger Applicators

Used most commonly to apply medication to the vaginal canal. Can be filled with creams or foams to be expelled into the vaginal canal. Ex: Gyne-Lotrimin

Roll-on Applicators

Provide a convenient way to apply gels, lotions, and other topical dosage forms. A roller ball is placed on the top of a bottle to allow patients to apply topical medications without having to touch the medication with their hands. Ex: Cleocin T

Syringes

Available in various sizes and can administer a large variety of liquid medications. Size is based on three variables:
Volume the syringe can hold (e.g., 10cc)
Increments of the marking (e.g., 1/2cc)
Size of the needle, width, length (e.g., 29-gauge � inc

Infusion Pumps

Deliver parenteral medication at a specific rate.
Available in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from computerized freestanding pumps to portable pumps that fit under clothing.

Pharmacology

The study of drugs and their interactions with the human body to produce therapeutic effects.

Drug

A substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation (decrease in severity), treatment, or prevention of disease in human beings or animals.

Non-Prescription Drugs

Also referred to as over the counter (OTC). Medications that the FDA has determined to be safe and effective for consumers to self-medicate when used as directed by the product labeling.

Prescription or Legend Drugs

Must be taken with the supervision of a physician, may be harmful if not monitored.
Require a physician's drug order.
A pharmacist cannot dispense without a prescription.
Some legend drugs are also available OTC.
Antivert (Meclizine) - Legend
Bonine (Mecl

Dietary Supplements

Not regulated by the FDA because the suppliers do not make therapeutic claims.
Ex: St. John's Wart
These products are not reviewed for content and have not been proven effective.