Introduction To Dosage Forms And Routes Of Administration Part A

Question 1

What is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)?

Answer 1

• the component in a medicine that exerts it pharmalogical action
• part of the medicine responsible for theraputic effects
• e.g. paracetamol powder

Question 2

What is a dosage form?

Answer 2

• complete medicine

- designed for patient convenience and to safety take the API

Question 3

What is a medicine made of?

Answer 3

• API

- Excipients

Question 4

What are excipients?

Answer 4

• ingredient/substances present in medicines
• not responsible for the pharmalogical action
• added to dosage form to improve technological properties (to facilitate the manufacturing, patient acceptability + to ensure that API = safely delivered)
• non-pharmalogically active

Question 5

What do we need dosage forms?

Answer 5

• stabilty, having a coating to protect, some ingredients = unstable
• “protects” the body, API might be an irritant, from the external environment, protects from first contact, e.g. bitterness, toxicity
• measures exact dose (inaccurate & inconvenient)
• potency (API often needs diluting) e.g. lorazepam

Question 6

As excipient, what is lactose used for?

Answer 6

• a bulking agent for tablets

E.g. like binders to keep the tablet together