Solid Dosage Forms

Question 1

What are the main 4 types of solid oral dosage forms

Answer 1

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Powders
• Granules

Question 2

What are diluents or fillers

Answer 2

These excipients add bulk to enable the drug to be formulated as an oral solid. Often the dose is so small that on its own a tablet or capsule could not be made from it. Common examples are lactose, mannitol, cellulose and calcium carbonate

Question 3

What are binders

Answer 3

Binders are excipients that bind together all the powders used in the formulation strongly enough to make a tablet or granule but yet weak enough to allow the product to disintegrate.

E.g. gelatin, polyethene glycol, cellulose and cellulose derivatives

Question 4

What are disintegrates

Answer 4

These enable the tablet or granule to break up, usually by swelling in contact with water

E.g. modified cellulose or starch

Question 5

What are lubricants and glidants

Answer 5

These types of excipients affect the flow properties of the powder through the machinery making the product and can also help with tablet ejection from the tablet press

E.g. anhydrous silica

Question 6

What are colourants

Answer 6

Used to improve appearance of the product and aid identification of the product. Commonly known as E numbers

Question 7

Packaging of oral solutions

Answer 7

Tablets or capsules can be packages either in bulk container pots usually containing large numbers of the product or blister packs which are usually foil lined for added protection.

• Calendar packs can have days of the week
• Click-locks can be used to prevent children accessing the medicine

Question 8

Advantages/disadvantages of a caplet

Answer 8

Tablet in the shape of a capsule to make it easier to swallow

Question 9

Dispersive / soluble tablet advantages

Answer 9

Added to glass of water before being taken. Useful for patients with difficulty swallowing

Question 10

Effervescent tablets advantages

Answer 10

Useful for patients with difficulty swallowing and has a faster action than regular tablets

Question 11

Baccalaureate tablets advantages

Answer 11

Goes straight to systemic circulation by passing first pass metabolism

Question 12

Chewable tablets advantages

Answer 12

Faster action

More beneficial for children so its easier for them to swallow

Question 13

Orodispersible tablet advantages

Answer 13

Faster action by passing first pass metabolism

Question 14

Lozenges advantages

Answer 14

Good for systemic use