1tablets
most popular dosage form; prepared by mechanical compression; must be dissolved in stomach before it elicits pharmacological effect
2chewable tablets
chewed and dissoved in the mouth prior to swallowing, but may also be swallowed whole
3enteric-coated tablets
- covered with a special coating to prevent dissolution in the stomach; meant to dissolve in the intestines only, so should never be chewed, broken, or crushed prior to ingestion
- do not take with antacids to avoid dissolution in stomach
4sublingual tablets
- placed under the tongue, where active ingredient is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream
- not absorbed in GI tract
- avoids "first pass effect" (aka drug does not circulate through body before it is broken down in the liver)
5buccal tablets
"between cheek and gum"; drug dissolves slowly over a period of time
6film-coated tablets
- tablets wiht a special coating that masks a bad odor or taste and prevents deterioration due to light and air
- ex - Biaxin and Depakote
7Lozenges
aka troches or pastilles; meant to dissolve slowly in the mouth to keep the drug in contact with the mouth or throat longer
8pellets
cylinder-shaped tablets for implantation just under the skin for continuous drug absorption
9capsules
drugs enclosed within a gelatin shell that dissolves after 10-30 min within stomach; eliminates bad tastes and odors of drugs
10effervescent tablets
tablets that release carbon dioxide gas to mask the taste of unpleasant, salty, or bitter meds
11syrups
- fluid medication with high concentration of sugar to hinder bacteria growth
- ex - antibiotics, cough preparations
12solutions (soln)
- fluid medication where the drug is uniformly dispersed throughout the liquid (does not settle at bottom, no need to shake well)
- ex - albuterol solution
13suspensions (susp)
- fluid medication where the drug is insoluble in the liquid and will settle at bottom - needs a shake well sticker or pt won't get correct dose
- ex - Bactrim suspension
14elixir
sweetened water with alcohol - not for babies
15tinctures
have highest concentration of alcohol