Solid Medication Forms

Question 1

cap

Answer 1

Capsule - Medication covered in a hard or soft gelatin. They are supplied in various sizes. Capsules should NEVER be cut or divided into partial amounts.

Question 2

caplet (term)

Answer 2

Smooth, lightly coated, small oval tablet. The name is derived from CAPsule and tabLET. It may or may not be scored.

Question 3

compound (term)

Answer 3

Medication consisting of a combination of two or more drugs. Each ingredient may be available in one or more strengths. The order will specify the number of tablets. If there is more than none strength, the order will specify the strength.

Question 4

DS

Answer 4

Double-Strength - Dosage of medication is double strength. Does not mean long-acting or extended-relase. However, a DS pill probably will be given less frequently than a “regular” counterpart

Question 5

enteric-coated tablet (term)

Answer 5

enteric-coated tablet (always write out) - Tablet containing potentially irritating substances and covered with a coating that delays absorption until it reaches the intestine. This protects the oral, esophageal, and gastric mucosa. Should not be crushed, cut, to chewed.

Question 6

gelcap, soft gel (term)

Answer 6

Capsule covered made of a soft gelatin for ease of swallowing

Question 7

ODT

Answer 7

Oral Dissolving Tablet - Tablet that dissolves in the mouth and does not need to be taken with water.

Question 8

powders and granules (term)

Answer 8

Pulverized fragments of solid medication, to be measured and sprinkled in a liquid or a food such as applesauce or cereal.

Question 9

scored tablet (term)

Answer 9

Tablets scored with a dividing line that may be cut in half.

Question 10

supp

Answer 10

Suppository - Medication distributed in a glycerin-based vehicle for insertion into the rectum, vagina, or urethra and absorbed systemically.

Question 11

tab

Answer 11

Tablet - Medication combined with a powder compressed into small round and other shapes.

Question 12

ung

Answer 12

Ointment - Medication contained with a semisolid petroleum or cream base

Question 13

CD (Medications that delay absorption)

Answer 13

Controlled-Dose - Terms reflecting the use of various processing method to extend or delay the release and absorption of the medication They need to be differentiated from a regular form of the same medicine. These medications should not be chewed, crushed, or cut.

Question 14

CR (Medications that delay absorption)

Answer 14

Controlled-Release - Terms reflecting the use of various processing method to extend or delay the release and absorption of the medication They need to be differentiated from a regular form of the same medicine. These medications should not be chewed, crushed, or cut.

Question 15

LA (Medications that delay absorption)

Answer 15

Long-Acting - A regular medication may be ordered, for example, every 4 hours. An XR version may be given only every 12 or 24 hours. Some medications, such as Celexa, are marketed in both SR and XL forms.

Question 16

SR (Medications that delay absorption)

Answer 16

Slow-release - A regular medication may be ordered, for example, every 4 hours. An XR version may be given only every 12 or 24 hours. Some medications, such as Celexa, are marketed in both SR and XL forms.

Question 17

XL (Medications that delay absorption)

Answer 17

Extra-long-acting - A regular medication may be ordered, for example, every 4 hours. An XR version may be given only every 12 or 24 hours. Some medications, such as Celexa, are marketed in both SR and XL forms.

Question 18

XR (Medications that delay absorption)

Answer 18

Extended-Release - A regular medication may be ordered, for example, every 4 hours. An XR version may be given only every 12 or 24 hours. Some medications, such as Celexa, are marketed in both SR and XL forms.