Dosage Forms Flashcards
What are capsules?
Oblong, gelatin containers filled with medication
Most are intended to be swallowed and absorbed through the GI tract
What inactive ingredients are commonly found in capsules?
- Diluents
- Disintegrants
- Preservatives
What are gelcaps?
Capsules filled with liquid medication
How should most capsules be taken?
Swallowed whole
What can happen if certain capsules are opened?
- Incorrect dosing
- Destruction of release mechanism
- Poor tolerability
- Handling concerns
What are tablets?
Produced by compression
Most are intended to be swallowed and absorbed through the GI tract
What are the inactive ingredients in tablets?
- Binders
- Diluents
- Disintegrants
- Lubricating agents
What are standard compressed tablets known as?
Plain tablets (SCT)
What are multiple compressed tablets (MCT)?
Layered tablets
What are caplets?
Tablets shaped like capsules
What should be done with tablets that have a score line?
They can be split
What is the risk of chewing a tablet not formulated to be chewed?
Tolerability or dosing issues
What is the purpose of coating on tablets?
Prevents tablet from dissolving in stomach
What types of coatings are there for tablets?
- Enteric-coated
- Film-coated
- Buffered coatings
What are buccal tablets designed for?
Placed in between cheek and gum and dissolve slowly in the mouth
What is the benefit of sublingual tablets?
Dissolve rapidly and are absorbed through the blood vessels under the tongue
What is a characteristic of chewable tablets?
Intended to be chewed before swallowing
What does ODT stand for?
Oral Disintegrating Tablets
What are effervescent tablets?
Contain mixtures of acids and bicarbonates that release carbon dioxide
How should effervescent tablets be administered?
Dissolved in water first, then administered like a drink
What are lozenges also known as?
Troches
What are thin strips in medication?
Small films that melt in the mouth
What are controlled-release tablets and capsules designed for?
Releases medication over an extended period of time
What are the different types of controlled-release mechanisms?
- LA (long-acting)
- TR (timed-release)
- SA (sustained-action)
- ER (extended-release)
- SR (sustained-release)
What should be noted about dosage forms with the same active ingredient?
They are not therapeutically equivalent
What are liquid oral dosage forms?
Forms of medication taken by mouth that are in liquid state
Includes solutions, suspensions, elixirs, syrups, spirits, tinctures, and fluid extracts.
Define solutions in the context of liquid oral dosage forms.
Solute is completely dissolved in a solvent
Often clear and transparent, can contain coloring, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives.
What distinguishes suspensions from solutions?
Solid particles are dispersed in a liquid, but not completely dissolved
Suspensions are cloudy and colored, and often contain a thickening agent.
What is the purpose of the ‘shake well’ auxiliary label on suspensions?
Indicates that the product must be mixed before administration
Ensures proper distribution of the solid particles.
Describe elixirs.
Clear, sweetened, flavored, hydroalcoholic mixtures
Useful for drugs that do not dissolve in water alone.
What are syrups in liquid oral dosage forms?
Concentrated solutions of sugar in water
May or may not contain active ingredients and usually contain little to no alcohol.
What defines spirits in liquid oral dosage forms?
Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances
They contain a high percentage of alcohol and should be stored in tight, light-resistant containers.
What are tinctures?
Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions prepared from vegetable extracts
Commonly used for herbal preparations.
Define fluid extracts.
Liquid extracts of vegetable drugs that contain alcohol as a solvent
They contain higher amounts of alcohol and are more potent than tinctures.
What does reconstitution involve?
Adding a specific amount of water or another diluent to a powder to create a solution or suspension
It’s essential to check product labeling for specific instructions.
List the steps involved in the reconstitution procedure.
- Determine amount of water/liquid needed
- Measure water in appropriate device
- Tap and invert stock bottle
- Add 1/2 to 2/3 of total amount of water
- Shake bottle vigorously
- Add remaining water
- Shake bottle vigorously
Ensures proper mixing and stability.
What auxiliary labels are needed for suspensions?
‘Shake Well’
Indicates the need to mix before use.
What auxiliary labels are needed for reconstituted powders?
- ‘Use by date’
- ‘Refrigerate’ when applicable
- ‘Do not refrigerate’ when applicable
Ensures proper storage and usage.
What is the role of calibrated dosing devices?
Ensures the proper amount of medication is administered
Important for accurate dosing.
What are household spoons used for in liquid medication?
Can range from 2 mL to 10 mL
Can lead to over- or underdosing if not calibrated.
Describe oral syringes.
Consist of a plunger, cannula (barrel), without a needle
Good for measuring small, exact amounts of liquid medication.
What are dosing cups used for?
Have demarcations for measuring teaspoons or tablespoons
Suitable for medications that don’t require precise small amounts.
What is the function of droppers in liquid medications?
Contain a small, squeezable bulb at one end and a hollow tube at the other end
May be calibrated to match the viscosity of the medication for proper dosing.
