Pharmaceutical dosage forms

In this blog we are discussing about the Pharmaceutical dosage forms for preparation of  medicine and  what is the drug. so friends read the blog till the end for complete information.

 What is the Drug : 

Drug may be defined as an agent or substance, intended for use in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, cure or prevention of disease in human beings or animals. Drugs are rarely administered in their original or crude forms. They are administered in different dosage forms by converting them into suitable formulations.

What is the Dosage Forms : 

Dosage forms are the carrier through which drug molecules are delivered to site of action within the body. Every dosage forms is a combination of the drug and different kinds of non - drug components called as excipients or additives. The additives are  used to give a particular shape to the formulation, to increase stability, palatability & to provide elegance to preparation.

How many types of dosage forms : 

1. Solid dosage form : Tablets, capsules, powder, dusting powder, pills.

2. Semisolid dosage forms : cream, paste, gel, suppositories.

3. Liquid dosage forms : a. Monophasic liquid :- syrup, solution.

b. Biphasic liquid :- emulsion, suspension.

4. Gas : Inhaler, aerosols.

1. Solid dosage form :

 

a. Tablets : These are solid dosage forms in which the medicament is compressed in different shapes and sizes. They may be plain or coated. Tablets remain the most popular dosage forms. 

b. Capsules : These are similar to cylindrical cachets and are available in different sizes. The material is however gelatin, hard or flexible (hard or gelatin capsules).

c. Powder: The medicament with or without excipient in fine state of subdivision is supplied in either bulk or individual wrapped in a paper.

d. Pills : Pills are spherical dosage forms containing the drug and excipients. Pills have now been almost completely replaced by capsules and tablets. As dosage form pills are very popular in Ayurvedic medicine and are known as vati.

e. Granules: These are free flowing, dry conglomerates of particles ranging from 1 to 5 mm in diameter. The medicament and the excipients are rendered to a cohesive Mass with a suitable moistening agent and the mass is passed through a sieve of required granule size and dried. 

2. Semisolid dosage forms : 

a. Creams : Highly viscous oil-in- water or water-in-oil emulsion meant for external application are considering as creams. Medicament may also be incorporated in them. 

b. Gel : Insoluble substance presented as suspension of their colloidal state in a hydrated form are known as gels. 

c. Jellies : jellies are non-greasy semi- solid preparation containing high proportion of gelatin, gum or starch. 

e. Ointments : These are semi-solid preparation meant for external use. The medicament is incorporated in the base usually comprising of greasy substances.

f. PASTES : PASTES contain a very high proportion of the solid medicament in relatively small proportion of the base, meant for external application. 

g. Suppositories : These are semi-solid to solid moulded preparation meant for insertion into the rectum. They resemble pessaries which are meant for vagina. The medicament is incorporated and releases the medicament some of the bases may dissolve in the rectum and release the medicamen.

h. Liniment : These are viscous oily or free flowing solution of drugs in alcohol meant for application to the skin usually by rubbing are called liniments. 

i. Lotions : These are preparations in solution or suspension from to be applied on the affected part without friction. The lotions may be applied as such or with the support of a dressing material.

g. Pessaries : The medicament with or without excipients in fine state of subdivision is supplied in either bulk or individually wrapped in a paper.

3. Liquid dosage forms : 

a. Elixirs : These are sweetened, clear and coloured, aromatic, hydroalcoholic liquids.

b. Emulsion : Emulsion are mixture of two immiscible liquid in which one phase is dispersed into the other in the form of minute globules. An emulsifying agent is employed to bring about emulsification. Usually unpalatable oils may be convenient administered as emulsions when dispersed in water.

C. Ear drops : Solution of drugs meant for dropping in the ears are classified as ear drops. 

d. Gargles : Aqueous solution employed for local action in the throat are called gargles. They may be diluted with luke- warm water before use. 

c. Enemas : Drugs in solution or in dispersed from, meant for rectal administaration are called enemas. 

d.  Mouthwashes : Mouthwashes are liquid preparation for treating mouth infection or to provide a feeling of freshness. They are usually diluted before use.

e. Paints : Solution in viscous vehicles or suspension that are meant to be applied to the skin or mucus with a soft device such as brush or cotton are called paints. 

f. Syrups ; These are concentrate solution of sucrose or any other sugars. Syrups are less commonly prescribed as such, except cough syrups but are very often prescribed as sweetening and flavouring vehicles. 

4. Gas : 

a. Aerosols : Aerosols are suspension of fine solid, or liquid particles in a gas. This preparation is also known as pressurized preparation. These are dosege forms for spraying in a solution, suspension or Emulsion from with an atomizer device or nebulisers. Aerosols are packed in pressurized containers with suitable propellants that provide a steady stream of the liquid. They are most popular in the treatment of asthma or respiratory tract infection and skin conditions. 

b. Inhalation : Inhalations are the preparation meant for relieving congestion of the throat. These preparation are either volatile and inhaled directly, or contain volatile substance which can be inhaled by adding the preparation to hot water.