Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration Flashcards
On a job interview for a position as a pharmacy technician, the interviewer asks you what a dosage form of medication is. You respond that a dosage form is
is how the medication is made.
The method in which water is added to a powder just before dispensing is known as
Reconstitution
What helps a tablet dissolve once it enters the stomach?
Disintegrants
A TB test is delivered using the _____ form of injection.
Intradermal
What routes of administration are aerosols given by?
Inhalation and Topical
Suspensions and emulsions must be… (fact)
shaken before use.
As a pharmacy Technician, you’re helping to make a syrup. What choices represent your ingredients?
Saturated aqueous solutions of sugar
Small gelatin shells containing active and inactive ingredients are _____
capsules
What do elixirs consist of?
Sweetened Hydro-alcoholic solutions
_____ medications are delivered through the nose
Intranasal
The abbreviation A.U on a Rx means to give the drug in ____
both ears
The liquid part of the solution is the
solvent
When a Rx reads to give a drug p.o., it means ____
orally
A liquid or semisolid dosage form in which there are two immiscible liquids, such as water and oil is called an
emulsion
What does subcutaneous mean when it is written on a Rx?
given by injection
The dissolved substance in a solution is the ____
solute
an example of medication intended for external use only is called a/an _____
lotion
You’re assisting a pharmacist in preparing a liquid medication. Before any medication is added to the liquid, it’s known as a/an ____-
vehicle
drugs given externally are
applied to the skin
what is more oily, a cream or ointment?
ointment is more oily than cream.
What is the “route of administration”?
the way a drug is given or administered.
What do dosage forms include of?
solids, liquids, semisolids and other misc. types.
Characteristics of solid dosage forms include:
tablets, capsules, powders and lozenges.
Characteristics of liquid dosage forms include:
syrups, elixers, suspensions, emulsions, lotions(some). Intended for external use and desirable for children.
Characteristics of semisolid dosage forms include
creams, ointments, gels. similar yet different. not hard like solids nor pourable like liquids.
difference between: suspensions, emulsions and liquids:
Emulsions are a combination of two immiscible liquids whereas suspensions have two components that can be of any phase. The stability of emulsions can be increased by adding emulsifiers. The particles in a suspension can be separated by filtering but particles/droplets in an emulsion cannot.
What is a colloid?
A heterogeneous mixture composed of 2 or more particles whos size range from 1 to 1,000 nm (nanometer) in diameter.
The difference between emulsion and colloid?
The articles are small enough to completely mix without any variation throughout the mixture but differ from molecules in that it cannot be separated by any type of filtration or gravity.
Whether emulsions are mixtures of 2 immiscible liquids, they can be catergorized as colloids in which both the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium are liquids.
The difference between suspension and colloids?
Suspension is a heterogenous mixture but colloid can be heterogenous or homogenous.
The difference between the 2 is the diameter of the dispersed particles, the particles in a suspension are larger than colloid.
Particles in a suspension settle with gravity colloids do not settle under normal conditions.
Suspensions do not transmit light. Colloids can be opaque or translucent.
The same medication can come in several different dosage forms for example:
Tylenol (brand name for acetaminophen) comes in tablets, capsules, liquids and suppositories.
What can be purchased OTC under certain circumstances?
Insulin and Syringes
What is the reason why there are different medication dosage forms?
to fit the patients needs and the type of medication / effectiveness.
depending on the ingredients ___ medications by be used orally or topically and ____ may be given externally or internally.
powder / solutions
define local effects:
those that occur in an effected area.
define systemic effects:
drugs that cause systemic effects. enter the bloodstream and affect the entire body.
FACT:
some drugs are more easily administered locally through external application, while systemic effects are often achieved through internal ingestion.
FACT:
some dosage forms have been found to reduce systemic side effects of drugs.
EX: albuterol - used to help patients breathe better during asthma or bronchitis attacks. the drug causes nervousness as a side effect when taken systemically (oral) rather than inhaled.
Compliance:
complaince occurs when the patients actually abide by the doctors order. Lack of compliance causes many problems, hospital admissions because the medication isnt taken properly.
Active substances
active ingredients - are the drugs or medications that actually act on the body.
Inert substances
inert ingredients are the inactive, or non drug ingredients. other names can include: fillers, additives or excipients. (all dosage forms include this)
FACT:
fillers or inactive ingredients is what gives the dosage form its characteristics.
Fact: the size of tables and capsules also depend on..
which active & inactive ingredients are used.
what is/are binders?
binders are inactive ingredients added to tables to hold it together, to keep it from falling apart and other functions that are necessary with the active ingredients
ex: inert subs: lactose, disintegrates etc.
What are capsules?
solid medication dosage form with active and inert ingredients contained in a gelatin shell easily dissolved in water and the stomach.
name 4 reasons why inert substances are added to capsules:
1) to add volume.
2) to add color.
3) to maintain shelf life.
4) to provide methods for extended release.
What is “extemporaneous preparations” ?
medications that are compounded or made in a pharmacy by a pharmacist for a special need rather than bulk in a factory.
Fact: All ingredients whether active or inactive must….
be nontoxic or safe for use in the body.
What is compounding?
making dosage forms and adding drugs to an existing dosage form inside the pharmacy.
What do solid dosage forms include of?
tablets, capsules and powders
A tablet is a ___ medication dosage form.
solid
complicated definition of a tablet form:
molded or compressed medicinal substances with inert and other ingredients included to form a hard mass.
FACT: Tablets can also be … (way of taking them)
chewed, placed under the tongue or placed in the cheek. Some tablets can also be dissolved in water before use.
What are the pharmaceutical names for cough drops?
Lozenges, troches
what are lozenges?
flavored dosage forms designed to be held in the mouth and dissolved. this allows the active ingredients to be slowly released into the oral cavity. Usually used for local effect.
Lozenges have the active ingredients to treat what common symptoms?
cold symptoms (soar throat, cough, stuffy nose) and canker sores. local infections in mouth (thrust) etc.
T or F: Injectable dosage forms are usually available over the counter.
F
T or F: The incidence of side effects appearing is less likely when a drug is taken orally.
F
Inactive ingredients are known as _______ ingredients.
Inert
Drugs produce a/an ________ effect when administered through external application.
local
T or F: A tablet is a solid medication dosage form that’s made of a gelatin case and contains
active as well as inert ingredients.
F
T or F: Sustained-release tablets should never be crushed or chewed unless specifically noted.
T
T or F: A powder is a dosage form that’s available only by prescription.
F
In capsule preparation, the necessary ingredients are weighed on a/an _______.
Rx Balance
Another name for a lozenge is a/an ________.
Troche
A/An ________ is an inactive ingredient added to a tablet that helps remind a patient to take
medication.
coloring (dye)
What are the most common forms of liquid dosage forms?
syrups, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, lotions.
What type of medication is used for local oral use and is generally intended for children?
Any liquid dosage form.
What is a vehicle?
(liquid dosage forms are sometimes referred to as vehicles) is made of basically inactive ingredients, active ingredients are added.
What is a graduate?
a liquid measuring device
What are solutions?
liquids that are one-phase system of 2 or more chemical components.
What is a solvent?
The liquid in a solution?
What is a solute?
Dissolved substances
Fact: Any substance that can be dissolved in a liquid is said to be..
soluble in that liquid.
What is the solubility of a substance?
is how much the substance can be placed in the liquid and depends on the chemical nature.
Solubility is always given in what measurement?
Grams per millimeter ( g / ml )
Ex: salt 1g in 2.8ml of water.
sugar 1g in 0.5ml of water.
What is saturated solutions?
When a solvent has dissolved all of the solute it can take.
What are some powder medications (to mix with water) that can be prescribed?
to treat pain, infections, cancer, upper respiratory system conditions and asthma etc)
Fact: Solutions don’t need to be shaken before use, because when a drug is in a solution….
every part of it contains the same amount or concentration of medication.
How can solutions be administered?
swallowed or injected
What is a syrup?
a syrup is a type of solution thats intended to be taken by mouth or for oral use. Syrups are nearly saturated aqueous solutions of sugar. (basically as a vehicle without any medication added, it is a mixture of water and high concentrated sugar. )
Solubility
The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solution
Solute
A substance that is dispersed and dissolved in liquid
Solvent
A liquid in which the solid, gas, or another liquid substance is dispersed
Commonly used solvents
1) Water
2) Alcohol
3) Glycerin
4) Propylene Glycol (ppg)
Choice of solvent is influenced by
1) Toxicity of solvent
2) Stability of solvent
3) Solubility of the material to be dissolved and dispersed
Rate of solution
The time involved in dissolving a solute into a solvent at a specified temperature.
Factors that affect the rate of solution
1) Agitation
2) Type of solvent
3) Temperature
4) Particle size of the solute
Aqueous Solutions
A solution in which the major solvent is water
Non-aqueous solutions
A solution in which the major solvent is a product other than water
Homogeneous
A uniform structure or composition throughout
Immiscible
Incapable of mixing or attaining homogeneity
Local effect
The effect of the medication is confined to a specific part of the body
Systemic effect
The effects of the medication take place at a location in the body distant from where the dosage form is applied.
Liquid Internal Dosage
Liquid internal dosage forms are liquid preparations intended for oral use. They include solutions, emulsions, and suspensions, and may be aqueous or non-aqueous
Parenteral
Parenteral refers to the administration of medication by injections and not by way of the gastrointestinal system.
Solid internal dosage
Solid internal dosage forms are solid preparations intended for oral use. They include capsules and tablets
Topical dosage form
Topical dosage forms are medicinal substances that are usually applied to the skin for their local effect but are occasionally applied for their systemic effects
Tablet: common oral
Tablet that is swallowed whole
Tablet: Enteric-coated
Tablet with a special outer coating that dissolved only in the small intestine; Enteric coating usually delays drug’s onset of action. Must be swallowed whole.
Tablet: Sustained release
Tablet that releases a drug over an extended period of time (LA,SR, CD External)
Tablet: Chewable
Tablet that is intended to be chewed before swallowing
Tablet: Effervescent
Tabet dissolves in water, releasing carbon dioxide
Tablet: Rapidly dissolving tablet
Tablet dissolves rapidly on the tongue
Tablet: Lozenge/Troche
A tablet containing the medicinal agent in a flavored base designed to be held int he mouth for slow dissolution; and tablet dissolves slowly, liberating the active ingredient
Tablet: Buccal
Tablet dissolves between the cheek and gum
Tablet: Sublinqual
Tablet dissolves under the tongue
Capsules
Capsules are a solid dosage form for oral use. The drug and additives are enclosed in a hard or soft gelatin case. Hard gelatin cases are made of special blends of gelatin that are formed form bone and pork skin.
Capsules: Common Oral
Capsule designed for regular onset action
Capsules: Sustained Release (SR, LA, Extended)
Capsule that allows slow released of a drug over an extended period of time.
