1: Medical Math: The Dosage Forms of Drugs (2)

Question 1

Drugs can be classified according to their physical state into:

Answer 1

1: Solid (powder, tablet, pill, bolus, pessary, suppository)
2: Liquid (mixture, tincture, spirit, suspension, elixir, emulsion, extract, infusion, decoction, injection, liniment, lotion)
3: Semisolid (ointment, cream, paste, electuary)
4: Gases or vapors (aerosol, spray, mist)

Question 2

what is a tablet?

Answer 2

is active drug combined with a binder and excipient.

the mixture is compressed into tablets by machine.

Question 3

What are Enteric-coated tablets?

Answer 3

irritant tablets or which are destroyed by gastric acid are coated with phenylsalicylate (salol) or other substances, which is insoluble in acid but will dissolve in the alkaline small intestine.

Question 4

what is a pill?

Answer 4

consists of a mixture of drugs and a sticky binder in the form of ovoid or spherical mass, which is provided with a glazed sugar coating.

Question 5

What is a capsule?

Answer 5

is a container made of a mixture of gelatin and glycerin and is suitable for drugs in powder form and certain liquid drugs.

Question 6

What is a Bolus?

Answer 6

is large and cylindrical in shape.

It is used for horses and cattle.

Question 7

What is a Mixture?

Answer 7

in an aqueous solution or suspension intended for oral administration. Aromatic water (aqueous solution of a volatile oil such as peppermint or cinnamon) is added to prevent contamination with bacteria or mold.

Question 8

What is a Pessary?

Answer 8

is a conical solid preparation for intravaginal use in humans.

Question 9

What is a Suppository?

Answer 9

is a conical solid preparation given intrarectally for systemic effect in humans.
It melts and releases its active ingredients after being introduced into the body.

Question 10

what is a Paste?

Answer 10

is a semisolid preparation for either external use (on the skin) or internal use.

Question 11

What is a Electuary?

Answer 11

is a semisolid preparation, which is applied on the back of the tongue for systemic effect.

Question 12

What is Tincture?

Answer 12

is an alcoholic liquid preparation of a nonvolatile substance either for eternal or internal use.

Question 13

what is a Spirit?

Answer 13

is an alcoholic liquid preparation of a volatile substance.

Question 14

What is a Suspension?

Answer 14

is an aqueous suspension of solids and usually contains a dispersing agent (gum, tragacanth, or methylcellulose) to delay settling. The bottle should contain the phrase “shake well before use”.
(does not mix)

Question 15

What is a Syrup?

Answer 15

is a solution of medicinal agents, flavoring and coloring agents in an 85% sucrose solution (more than 50% sucrose).

Question 16

What is an Elixir?

Answer 16

is a hydroalcoholic solution of nedicinal agents that have been sweetened and flavored (it has a better keeping quality than mixture because of high alcohol content).

Question 17

What is an Emulsion?

Answer 17

consists of an oily substance dispersed in an aqueous medium ith an emulsifying or a dispersing agent (gum acacia, lecithin, or methylcellulose).

Question 18

What is an Extract?

Answer 18

Is obtained by passing the solvent over the dried material (percolation) then evaporation of the solvent, or placing the crude material in the solvent until the active substances are extracted (maceration).

Question 19

What is Infusion in relation to an extract?

Answer 19

Is called infusion if cold water or warm water is used.

Question 20

What is Decoction in relation to an extract?

Answer 20

Is called decoction if boiling water is used.

Question 21

What are injections?

Answer 21

Are sterile solutions or suspensions in an aqueous (sometimes an oil vehicle). They are heat sterilized or if unstable to heat are filtered through Millipore filters. Some drugs are unstable in solution and are packaged aseptically in vials. They are reconstituted with sterile water immediately before use for injection. Tablets for injections are somewhat similar to powder in vials.

Question 22

Describe Respiratory forms of drugs?

Answer 22

Are slow releasing.
Sustained release forms prolong effective drug concentration in the body by providing for sustained release from the dosage form.

Question 23

External dosage forms

Answer 23

Red label

Question 24

What is a Liniment?

Answer 24

Is a liquid or semisolid preparation to be applied on the skin with friction (rubbing); this generally contains counterirritants used in chronic inflammation of muscles and tendons.

Question 25

What is a Lotion?

Answer 25

Is a solution or suspension of soothing substances to be applied on the skin in acute inflammation to relieve pain.

Question 26

What is an Ointment?

Answer 26

Is a semisolid greasy preparation in which the drug is dissolved or dispensed in a suitable base.

Question 27

What is a cream?

Answer 27

Incorporates a drug in water-oil emulsion; water will evaporate following applications, leaving the drug and a thin film of oil on the skin.

Question 28

What is a Dusting Powder?

Answer 28

A mixture of drugs in powder form for external use such as a talc or starch as absorbents.

Question 29

What is an Aerosol? (gases and vapors)

Answer 29

is a drug incorporated in a suitable solvent and packaged under pressure with a propellant such a fluorinated hydrocarbon or nitrogen.

Question 30

What are the vehicles for solid forms for drugs? (solvents or carriers)

Answer 30

Starch
Sucrose
Talc
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
Resin

Question 31

What are the vehicles for the Oral medications?

Answer 31

Waters (peppermint water)
Syrup
Elixir

Question 32

What are the vehicles for Injections?

Answer 32

Sterile water
Sterile Saline
Propylene glycol 
Polyethylene glycol
Polyvinylpyrrolidone
Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)

Question 33

What are the vehicles for Semisolid forms of drugs?

Answer 33

Paraffin oil and Wax
Bee wax
Vaseline

Question 34

What is a powder?

Answer 34

a mixture of drugs packaged in packets or sachets