Pharmaceutical Dosage Form and its Classification

Definition, Advantages and Disadvantages

1. Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms
Ms. Chitralekha G. Therkar
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmaceutics,
Siddhivinayak College of Pharmacy, Warora

2. Dosageformsarethephysicalformofpharmaceuticaldrugproductto
retaininonestateinwhichtheyaremarketedforuseofpatients.
TheyaregenerallyregardedasMedicines.
Dosageform(Medicines)=API+Excipients
API(ActivePharmaceuticalIngredient)
APIoradrugisthemaincomponentofanydosageformthatactually
producesthepharmacologicaleffect.Itisthechemicalmoietyusedin
thetreatmentandpreventionofanydiseaseordisorder.
Excipients
Excipientsaretheinertpharmaceuticalingredientsthatareusedin
formulationofdrugs.Itonlyincreasesthebulksizeofdrugitdoesn’t
increasesordecreasesthetherapeuticactionofAPIinanymanner.
Eg,Preservatives,flavouringagents,Sweetenersetc.

3. Need of dosage form
1.To provide accurate dose
2.To protect the API form atmosphere
3.To mask or improve taste
4.To improve colour or elegance of dosage form
5.To hide unpleasant odour
6.To provide stability to liquid dosage forms
7.For easy insertion of drugs in body cavities if needed so.

4. Classification of dosage forms
Dosage forms are classified into two different categories based on,
1.Route of administration
2.Physical forms
Dosage form by route of administration
1. Oral
Tablets
Capsules
Solutions
Syrups
Elixirs
Suspensions
Magmas
Gels
Powders
2. Sublingual
Tablets
Troches and Lozenges

5. 3. Parenteral
Solutions
Suspensions
4. Buccal
Tablets
Patches
5. Transdermal
Ointments
Creams
Pastes
Plasters
Lotions
Transdermal patches
Discs
Solutions
6. Intraocular
Solutions
Suspension
7. Intranasal
Solutions
Sprays
Inhalers
Ointments
8. Rectal
Solutions
Ointments
Suppositories
9. Vaginal
Gels
Tablets
Inserts
Suppositories

6. Dosage form based on physical forms
1. Solid Dosage Forms
Unit Solid DF –
Capsules (SGC and HGC)
Tablets (Coated, Compressed, Buccal, Oral, Sublingual, Chewable)
Bulk Solid DF –
Powders (Blended Powders, Medicated and Aerosolized Powders)
Granules (Effervescent and Non –Effervescent)
2. Semi-Solid Dosage Forms
Internal Semisolid DF -
Suppositories
Pessaries
External Semisolid DF –
Ointments (O/W, W/O)
Creams
Pastes
Gels

7. 3. Liquid Dosage forms
Biphasic Liquid DF –
Suspensions
Emulsions
Monophasic Liquid DF
Syrups
Elixirs
Lotions
Drops
Throat paints
Mouthwashes
Eye drops
Sprays
Nasal drops
Ear drops

8. THANK YOU