The most common solid dosage forms available

Vary in shape, size, weight, and color, dissolution properties, and method of delivery

Some are scored with a groove that allows it to be easily broken to provide additional medication strengths

Buccal Tablets

Designed to dissolve slowly when placed between the cheek and gums

Bypasses the digestive tract

Gives prolonged release of medication

Sublingual Tablets (SL)

Designed to dissolve immediately and produce a rapid drug response when placed under the tongue, not swallowed

Skin underneath the tongue is thin and allows medication to be quickly absorbed

Bypasses the digestive tract

Example: Sublingual Nitroglycerin Tablets

Chewable Tablets

Designed to be easily chewed and then swallowed

Dissolution properties are different than swallowed tablets

Example:  Amoxicillin Chewable Tablets

Effervescent Tablets

Uses a chemical reaction (the release of carbon dioxide gas) to hasten tablet dissolution

Should de dissolved in a glass of water or other liquid before ingestion

Example:  Alka-Seltzer

Enteric-coated Tablets

Coated to delay the release of medication until the tablet has reached the intestinal tract

Release of the medication into the stomach may render the medication inactive or may irritate the stomach lining.

Example:  Enteric Coated Aspirin

Film-Coated

Used to mask taste

Example:  Tylenol Caplets

Capsules

Solid dosage forms in which the medication is enclosed in a shell of either hard or soft gelatin

Hard capsules contain powders, granules, or beads.

Example:  Powder - Keflex, Granules/Beads - Fastin

Soft capsules contain medication in liquid form

Example:  Vitamin E Caps

Patients typically find capsules easier to swallow than tablets.

Pills

Were made from powdered natural materials such as plants and animal organs

Powder was combined with a sticky material so that it could be rolled into a round mass called a pill.

Out-dated dosage form

People often use "pill" to refer to any solid dosage form.

"I want my little blue pill."

It is more professional to use the appropriate term, "tablet" or "capsule" to refer to specific medications.

Controlled-Release Products

Formulated to produce a constant release of medication over an extended period of time.  This:

Allows for consistent blood level for a longer duration

Reduces the number of doses that must be taken

Designated in various ways:

LA-long acting - Entex LA

SA-sustained action

SR-sustained release - Cardizem SR

CR-controlled release - Cardene SR

TR-timed release

CD-controlled dissolution - Cardizem CD

ER-extended release

XL-extended release - Procardia XL

XR-extended release - Dilacor XR

Pastilles, Lozenges

Dissolve in mouth

Provide medication to the oral cavity

Look similar to hard candy

Example: Cough Drops

Troches

Can be hard or have gummy consistency

Provide medication to the oral cavity

Example:  Mycelex Troches

Powders

Solid dosage forms which have been crushed to make a fine powder

Can be used internally or externally

Internally - typically mixed into a liquid to improve the taste and make it easier to swallow

Example:  Questran Powder

Externally - topically

Example: Tinactin Powder

Suppositories

Designed to be inserted into a body cavity:

Rectum

Urethra

Vagina

Designed to melt at internal body temperature (98.6F or 37C) to release medication into the body

Can provide a local effect or be absorbed into the blood stream to give systemic effect