Introduction to dosage forms Flashcards
What is an API (1)
active pharmaceutical ingredient, i.e. drug(s)
What is an excipient (1)
non-drug ingredients
What is pharmaceutics (1)
formulation processes following drug design/synthesis to convert a drug into a dosage form/medicine
What do dosage forms do (7)
- Allow a drug to be delivered to the body.
- Enable desired and predictable therapeutic response to be achieved.
- Result of excipients used
- Allow controlled drug release.
- Preserve drug integrity/stability.
- Mask the taste of offensive drugs.
- Drug administered → Drug absorbed into the body → drug transported to the site of action → correct concentration at site → Therapeutic outcome
What do excipients do (9)
- Enhance effectiveness
- Improve aesthetics
- Act as coatings
- Alter physical properties
- Solubilise/suspend drug.
- Dilute/thicken product.
- Emulsify product
- Stabilise product
- Preserve products
What are the types of dosage forms (14)
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Lozenges/pastilles
- Powders
- Granules
- Suspensions
- Solutions
- Emulsions
- Inhalers
- Creams
- Ointments
- Gels
- Pastes
- Adhesive patches
What can the routes of administration be classified into (3)
- Entry by overcoming mucosal membranes
- Entry by overcoming the skin barrier (‘topical’ route)
- Direct entry into the body (the parenteral route)
What are the mucosal membranes’ routes of administration (8)
- Oral
- Buccal / Sublingual
- Pulmonary (Inhaled)
- Rectal
- Vaginal
- Nasal
- Ear (Aural)
- Eye (Ocular)
What are the parenteral (injection/infusion) routes of administration (8)
- Intravenous
- Intradermal
- Intramuscular
- Subcutaneous
- Intracardiac
- Intrathecal
- Intraarticular
- Epidural
What is the skin barrier route of administration (1)
Transdermal
What are the advantages of the oral route of administration (4)
- Simple to manufacture & use
- Suitable for most drugs
- Convenient
- Safe
What are the disadvantages of the oral route of administration (5)
- Relatively slow onset of action
- Potential for irregular absorption
- Drug degradation by acid/enzymes
- Hepatic first-pass metabolism
- Food effects
What are the advantages of tablet administration (4)
- Popular dosage form
- Acceptable to the general population
- Cheap & simple to manufacture
- It can be used to modify drug release.
What are the disadvantages of tablet administration (4)
- Potentially slow onset of action
- Not suitable for all drugs
- Large tablets are sometimes required (potential discomfort, damage)
- You may have to mask drugs with unpleasant taste
What are the advantages of capsule administration (4)
- Popular & acceptable
- Versatile: may contain powder, granules, liquids, semi-solids…
- Cheap & simple to produce
- Easily coloured (identifiable/appealing)