Solid Dosage Forms

• What is the definition of a dosage form?


  The means by which drug molecules are delivered to sites of action within the body.
• What does API stand for in pharmaceuticals?


  Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
• What is the purpose of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)?


  It is the part of any drug that produces its effects.
• What are excipients in pharmaceuticals?

  Inactive ingredients that do not affect the therapeutic action of the active ingredient.
• Give examples of inactive ingredients.

  Binding materials, dyes, preservatives, flavoring agents, sweetening agents, coloring agents.
• What are solid dosage forms primarily available as?

  Unit dosage forms.
• What are bulk forms of solid dosage meant for internal use supplied as?

  Granules or fine powder.
• What are bulk powders meant for external use?

  Dusting powder, insufflations, snuffs, and tooth powders.
• What are the types of powders in pharmaceuticals?


  1. Bulk Powders for internal use (e.g., fine powders or granules)
  2. Bulk Powders for external use (e.g., snuff, dusting powders, tooth powder)
  3. Simple and compound powder for internal use
  4. Powders in the form of compressed tablets and tablet triturates
  5. Powders enclosed in cachets and capsules
• What is the purpose of dusting powders?


  They are meant for external application to the skin.
• What are insufflations in pharmaceuticals?


  Medicated dusting powders meant for introduction into body cavities.
• What is the function of an insufflator?


  It sprays powders in a state of fine particles on the site of application.
• What are snuffs?


  Finely divided solid dosage forms of medicaments inhaled into nostrils.
• What therapeutic actions do snuffs provide?


  Antiseptic, bronchodilator, and decongestion action.
• What are pills?


  Small, rounded solid dosage forms containing medicaments intended for oral use.
• How are pills formed?


  The medicaments are mixed with excipients to form a firm plastic mass, rolled, and cut into uniform pills.
• What are tablets?


  Unit solid dosage forms consisting of active ingredients and suitable pharmaceutical excipients.
• What variations can tablets have?

  They may vary in size, shape, hardness, thickness, weight, disintegration, dissolution characteristics, and other aspects.
• What are capsules?


  Solid unit dosage forms in which one or more medicaments are enclosed within a shell.
• What are the types of capsules?


  • Hard gelatin capsule (for powder, granules, bead, tablet)
  • Soft gelatin capsule (for liquids or semisolids)
• What is a lozenge?


  A solid preparation consisting of sugar and gum intended to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
• What is the purpose of lozenges?


  To medicate the mouth and throat for the slow administration of indigestion or cough remedies.
• What are pastilles?


  Solid medicated preparations designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
• What are the bases of pastilles?


  Glycerol and gelatin, or acacia and sugar.
• What are pellets?


  Small free-flowing, spherical particulates manufactured by agglomeration of fine powder or granules of bulk drugs along with excipients.
• What are transdermal patches?


  Medicated adhesive patches intended to deliver a specific dose of any therapeutic compound through the skin non-invasively.
• What is the delivery method of transdermal patches?


  They deliver a specific dose at a regulated/controlled rate through the skin.