Dose, Dosage Form, Routes of

Drug Administration
 Dosage Form

• "A dosage form is the way of identifying the

drug in its physical form. In determining
dosage form, FDA examines such factors as
• (1) physical appearance of the drug product,
• (2) physical form of the drug product prior to
dispensing to the patient,
• (3) the way the product is administered,
• (4) frequency of dosing, and
• (5) how pharmacists and other health
professionals might recognize and handle the
product."
 How Many?

• 156+

https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/DataStandards/StructuredProductLabeling/
ucm162038.htm
 AEROSOL (AER)
• A product that is packaged
under pressure and contains
therapeutically active
ingredients that are released
upon activation of an
appropriate valve system; it is
intended for topical application
to the skin as well as local
application into the nose (nasal
aerosols), mouth (lingual
aerosols), or lungs (inhalation)
 CREAM

• An emulsion, semisolid
dosage form, usually
containing > 20% water and
volatiles and/or < 50%
hydrocarbons, waxes, or
polyols as the vehicle. This
dosage form is generally for
external application to the
skin or mucous membranes.
 CAPSULE (CAP)
• A solid oral dosage form
consisting of a shell and a filling.
The shell is composed of a single
sealed enclosure, or two halves
that fit together and which are
sometimes sealed with a band.
Capsule shells may be made from
gelatin, starch, or cellulose, or
other suitable materials, may be
soft or hard, and are filled with
solid or liquid ingredients that can
be poured or squeezed.
 ELIXIR

• A clear, pleasantly flavored, sweetened

hydroalcoholic liquid containing
dissolved medicinal agents; it is
intended for oral use.
 EMULSION
• A dosage form consisting of a two-phase
system comprised of at least two immiscible
liquids, one of which is dispersed as droplets
(internal or dispersed phase) within the other
liquid (external or continuous phase),
generally stabilized with one or more
emulsifying agents. (Note: Emulsion is used
as a dosage form term unless a more specific
term is applicable, e.g. cream, lotion,
ointment.)
 GEL

• A semisolid dosage form that contains a

gelling agent to provide stiffness to a
solution or a colloidal dispersion. A gel
may contain suspended particles.
 INJECTION

• A sterile preparation intended for

parenteral use.
 LOTION

• An emulsion, liquid dosage form. This

dosage form is generally for external
application to the skin.
 OINTMENT

• A semisolid dosage form,

usually containing <20%
water and volatiles and
>50% hydrocarbons,
waxes, or polyols as the
vehicle. This dosage form
is generally for external
application to the skin or
mucous membranes.
 SOLUTION

• A clear, homogeneous
liquid dosage form that
contains one or more
chemical substances
dissolved in a solvent or
mixture of mutually
miscible solvents.
 SUPPOSITORY

• A solid body of various

weights and shapes,
adapted for introduction
into the rectal orifice of
the human body; they
usually melt, soften, or
dissolve at body
temperature.
 SUSPENSION

• A liquid
dosage form
that contains
solid particles
dispersed in a
liquid vehicle.
 SYRUP

• An oral solution containing

high concentrations of
sucrose or other sugars; the
term has also been used to
include any other liquid
dosage form prepared in a
sweet and viscid vehicle,
including oral suspensions.
 TABLET (TAB)

• A solid dosage
form containing
medicinal
substances with
or without
suitable diluents.
 TINCTURE

• An alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution

prepared from vegetable materials or
from chemical substances.
 Route of Drug Administration

• How many
• 112+ approved by FDA

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/FormsSubmissionRequirements/ElectronicSubmissions/DataStandardsManualmonographs/ucm071667.htm
 Routes of Drug
Administration
Important
Info

The route of administration

(ROA) that is chosen may have a
profound effect upon the speed
and efficiency with which the
drug acts
 Routes of Drug
Administration
• The possible routes of drug entry
into the body may be divided into
two classes:

•Enteral
•Parenteral
 Enteral Routes
• Enteral - drug placed directly in the GI
tract:
• sublingual - placed under the
tongue
• oral - swallowing (p.o., per os)
• rectum - Absorption through the
rectum
 Oral

• Advantages
• Convenient - can be self- administered,
pain free, easy to take
• Absorption - takes place along the whole
length of the GI tract
• Cheap - compared to most other
parenteral routes
 Oral
• Disadvantages
• Sometimes inefficient - only part of
the drug may be absorbed
• First-pass effect - drugs absorbed
orally are initially transported to
the liver via the portal vein
• irritation to gastric mucosa -
nausea and vomiting
 Oral
• Disadvantages cont.
• destruction of drugs by gastric acid
and digestive juices
• effect too slow for emergencies
• unpleasant taste of some drugs
• unable to use in unconscious
patient
Parenteral Routes
• Intravascular (IV, IA)- placing a drug
directly into the blood stream
• Intramuscular (IM) - drug injected into
skeletal muscle
• Subcutaneous - Absorption of drugs
from the subcutaneous tissues
• Inhalation - Absorption through the
lungs
Routes of Drug Administration
 Topical

•Mucosal membranes (eye

drops, antiseptic, nasal, etc.)
•Skin
a. Dermal - rubbing in of oil
or ointment (local action)
b. Transdermal - absorption
of drug through skin (systemic
action)