Pharmaceutical preparations

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS

                       

Every drug whether natural or synthetic in origin needs to be transformed into a convenient form for administration into the body of the patient. Such forms of the drugs are called as dosage forms. These dosage forms or drug preparations can be classified in various ways like mode of administration, physical properties of the dispensed products, mechanical processes used, types of vehicle used etc. But for Pharmacology students most useful way to classify dispensed products or dosage forms is that based on mode of administration. These dosage forms could be divided into three major groups :

I.    Oral dosage forms

(a)   Liquids : Aquas, mixtures, elixirs, syrups, linctuses, emulsions, tinctures, etc.

(b)   Solids : Tablets, capsules, powders, pills, lozenges, etc.   

II.    External dosage forms

(a)   Liquids : Drops, gargles, lotions, liniments,  enematas,  paints, tinctures, etc.

(b)   Solids : Suppositories, creams, ointments, plasters, etc.

(c)    Gas / vapour : Aerosols, sprays, etc.

III.   Parenteral dosage forms       

(a)   Liquids : Sterilized injectable solutions, sera, etc.

(b)   Solids : Pellets.

Aerosol : It is a suspension of fine, solid or liquid particles in a gas intended to apply drugs to the respiratory tract and skin.

Aqua (Aromatic Water) : Aromatic water is medicated form of water which is dilute, simple solution of volatile substances in water, mainly used as flavouring agent or vehicle.

Bolus (Ball) : It is a cylindrical mass of drugs, weighing about 2 ounces (60 g) and is about 2 1/2" long and 1/2 " in diameter, meant for administration in large animals only.

Capsule : It is a preparation consisting of two small tube like containers made of gelatin, usually used to hold nauseant or irritating drugs and is meant for oral administration.

Cream : It is a soft semi-solid emulsion meant for gentle rubbing over the skin.

Decoction : It is an aqueous solution of active principle(s) of crude drugs obtained by boiling them in water.

Drops : These are solutions of drugs that are instilled into ear, nasal cavities or conjuctiva with the help of dropper.

Dusting powder : It is a free flowing, very fine powder of drug(s) for external use.

Electuary : It is a medicinal paste intended to be smeared on the tongue, lips and palates and has sugar, treacle or honey as the vehicle.

Elixir : It is an aromatic sweetened solution usually containing alcohol, often used as vehicle and to mask the disagreeable odour and taste of many drugs.

Emulsion : It is a mixture of two immiscible liquids in which one of the liquids is finely divided by trituration and uniformly distributed in the other by means of an emulsifying agent.

Enema (Enemata) : It is a liquid medicinal preparation meant for administration into the rectum.

Extract: It is a concentrated liquid, semi-liquid or solid preparation in which the active principles of vegetable or animal drugs is extracted with suitable solvent.

Gargle : It is an aqueous solution of drug(s) meant for gargling, to prevent or treat throat infections. It is usually dispensed in concentrated form from which directions for dilution with warm water before use is given.

Gel: It is an aqueous colloidal suspension of the hydrated form of insoluble medicaments.

Granules : These are small globular particles in which drug is mixed with sugar, a flavouring agent and inert adjuvants, usually used for administering drugs that possess unpleasant taste.

Glycerines (Glycerites) : These are solutions or mixtures of medicaments in glycerol with or without addition of water.

Implants : These are solid discs or cylinders of medicaments placed surgically into tissues of the body so that drugs are absorbed continuously over long period.

Inhalation : It is a liquid preparation consisting of, or containing volatile substances used to relieve congestion and inflammation of the respiratory tract. Some are volatile at room temperature and may be inhaled directly, others are put in hot water and vapours are inhaled.

Injection : It is a solution or suspension of drugs for parenteral administration.

Insufflation : It is a medicated dusting powder that is blown by an insufflator into regions such as nose, throat, body cavities, ear, etc. to which it would be difficult to apply the powder directly.

Irrigation (Douche) : It is a solution of medicaments used for rinsing a body cavity to treat infections of bladder, vagina, etc., and  are usually administered by a soft rubber or plastic tube.

Jelly : It is a transparent or translucent, non-greasy semi-solid preparation mainly used externally.

Linctus : It is a viscous, syrupy, liquid oral preparation having demulcent action on the mucosae of throat and is usually prescribed for the relief of cough.

Liniment : It is a liquid preparation of drug(s) in oil, alcohol or soap meant for rubbing over the intact skin.

Liquor : It is a preparation of non-volatile substance(s) generally in water. Alcohol; oils and other solvents are also used in it.

Lotion : It is a liquid preparation of drugs usually in water meant for external application without friction.

Lozenge (Troche) : It is a solid medicinal preparation consisting mainly of sugar and gum used for putting into the mouth and allowing it to dissolve in saliva.

Mixture : It is a preparation in which drug(s) are simply dissolved or suspended in water for oral administration.

Mouth wash : It is similar to gargle, but is used for oral hygiene, to cleanse and deodorise the buccal cavity and to treat infections of mouth.

Mucilage : It is a solution of gummy substances in water used for suspending insoluble substances in mixtures (suspension) and for emulsification of oils (emulsions).

Ointment: It is a semi-solid medicinal preparation in oily, fatty or paraffin bases meant for local external application.

Paint: It is a liquid preparation of substances in viscid solvent like glycerine and/or liquid paraffin for application to the skin or mucosae usually with a soft brush.

Paste : It is a semi-solid preparation for external application that differ from similar products in containing a high proportion of finely powdered medicaments.

Pellet : It is a solid sterile body of drug(s) meant for implantation in subcutaneous tissues by incision.

Pessary : It is a solid medicated preparation for introduction into the vagina, where it melts or dissolves and exerts a local action.

Pill: It is an oral dosage form which is spherical, ovoid and usually sugar coated intended to be swallowed whole without being chewed.

Plaster : It is a thick pasty preparation of drug(s) spread over a piece of linen and is meant for external application on the skin where at the body temperature it melts slightly and becomes adhe­sive. The purpose of plaster is to afford protection and mechanical support, to furnish an occlusive and maceration action and, to bring medication in close contact with skin.

Poultice : It is a soft semi-solid preparation applied hot or cold for local application of heat and moisture (fomentation) to decrease inflammation.

Powder : It is a dry preparation containing finely divided particles usually meant for oral administration.

Sera : These are preparations of serum containing antibodies in connection with the globulin fraction.

Solution : It is a liquid preparation of non-volatile soluble drug(s) or liquids in suitable solvent. Occasionally liquor is used in synonym with solution.

Spirit : It is an alcoholic solution of volatile substances.

Spray : It is a preparation of drug(s) in aqueous, alcoholic or glycerin containing media usually applied to the mucosae of throat, nose and other parts of body with an atomiser or nebuliser.

Suppository : It is a conical or ovoid solid preparation for insertion into the rectum (also vaginal cavity and urethral tract), where it melts, dissolves or disperses and exerts a local or less often, a systemic effect.

Syrup : It is a liquid preparation in which vehicle is concentrated aqueous solution of sucrose or other sugar.

Tablet: It is a small disc shaped medicated mass usually prepared by moulding or compression and meant for oral administration.

Tincture : It is an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution containing active principles of vegetable and animal drug(s). They are relatively weak compared to extracts.