Types of Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A dosage form is a pharmaceutical preparation consisting of drug substance(s) and/or excipient(s) to facilitate dosing, administration, and delivery of the content of the drug product to the patient.

It can also define as the manner in which drug substance are commercialized (e.g., solids, liquids or semi solids).

As per USP, official dosage forms in pharmaceutics are mentioned below:

• Aerosols
• Capsules
• Creams
• Emulsions
• Films
• Foams
• Gases
• Gels
• Granules
• Gums
• Implants
• Injections
• Inserts
• Irrigations
• Liquids
• Lotions
• Lozenges
• Ointments
• Pastes
• Pellets
• Pills
• Powders
• Rinses
• Shampoos
• Soaps
• Solutions
• Sprays
• Strips
• Suppositories
• Suspensions
• Systems
• Tablets

Aerosols

Aerosols are dosage forms packaged under pressure and contain therapeutic agent(s) and propellant(s) that are released upon actuation of an appropriate valve system.

Capsules

Capsules are solid dosage forms in which the drug substance and/or excipients are enclosed within a soluble container or shell or coated on the capsule shell. Most capsule shells are composed mainly of gelatin.

Read details: Pharmaceutical Oral Solid Dosage Form

Creams and Emulsions

A dispersed colloidal system consisting of two immiscible liquid phases generally stabilized with one or more suitable agents.

Films

Films are thin sheets that are placed in the oral cavity.

Foams

Foams are dispersions of gas in a liquid or solid continuous phase wherein the liquid or solid contains the drug substance and suitable excipients.

Gases

Medical gases are products that are administered directly as a gas.

Gels

A gel is solid or semisolid. A variety of routes are available for gel administration such as topical, mucosal, or oral.

Granules

Granules are solid dosage forms that are composed of agglomerations of smaller particles. These multicomponent compositions are prepared for oral administration and are used to facilitate flexible dosing regimens as granules or as suspensions.

Gums

Medicated gum is a pliable dosage form that is designed to be chewed rather than swallowed.

Implants

Implants are long-acting dosage forms that provide continuous release of the drug substance often for periods of months to years.

Read also: Product Quality Tests for Injections and Implanted Drug Products

Injections

A sterile preparation comes with solution, suspension and/or emulsion.

Inserts

Inserts are solid dosage forms that are inserted into a naturally occurring (nonsurgical) body cavity other than the mouth or rectum.

Liquids

As a dosage form, a liquid consists of a pure chemical in its liquid state.

Lotions

Lotions are an emulsified liquid dosage form intended for external application to the skin.

Lozenges

Lozenges are solid oral dosage forms that are designed to dissolve or disintegrate slowly in the mouth.

Ointments

Ointments are semisolid preparations generally intended for external application to the skin or mucous membranes.

Read also: Product Quality Tests for Topical and Transdermal Drug Products

Pastes

Pastes are semisolid preparations of stiff consistency and contain a high percentage (20%–50%) of finely dispersed solids.

Pellets

Pellets are small solid dosage forms that can be designed as single or multiple entities.

Pills

Pills are drug substance-containing small, spherical, solid bodies intended for oral administration.

Plasters

A plaster is a semisolid substance for external application that is supplied on a support material.

Powders

Powders are defined as a single solid or a mixture of solids in a finely divided state.

Soaps and Shampoos

Soaps and shampoos are solid or liquid preparations intended for topical application to the skin or scalp followed by subsequent rinsing with water.

Solutions

A solution is a preparation that contains one or more dissolved chemical substances in a suitable solvent or mixture of mutually miscible solvents.

Sprays

A spray drug product is a dosage form that contains a drug substance in the liquid state as a solution or suspension and is intended for administration as a mist. Sprays are distinguished from aerosols in that spray containers are not pressurized.

Strips

A strip is a dosage form or device in the shape of a long, narrow, thin, absorbent, solid material such as filter paper.

Suppositories

Suppositories are dosage forms adapted for application into the rectum. They melt, soften, or dissolve at body temperature.

Suspensions

A suspension is a biphasic preparation consisting of solid particles dispersed throughout a liquid phase. Suspension dosage forms may be formulated for specific routes of administration such as oral, topical, inhalation, ophthalmic, otic, and injection.

Systems

Systems are preparations of drug substance(s) in carrier devices, often containing adhesive backing, that are applied topically or inserted into body cavities.

Tablets

Tablets are solid dosage forms in which the drug substance is generally blended with excipients and compressed into the final dosage. Tablets are the most widely used dosage form in the world.

Tapes

A tape is a dosage form suitable for delivering drug substances to the skin. It consists of a drug substance(s) impregnated into a durable yet flexible woven fabric or extruded synthetic material that is coated with an adhesive agent.

Read also: Drug Product Quality and Performance Test for Oral Dosage Form

Importance of Dosage Form

• Accurate dose
• Physical protection e.g. coated tablets, sealed ampoules
• Protection from gastric juice
• Taste and odor masking (to make palatable)
• Insertion of drugs into body cavities (rectal, vaginal)
• Placement of drugs within body tissues
• Sustained release medication
• Controlled release medication
• Use of desired vehicle for insoluble drugs
• Optimal drug action

Read also: Pharmaceutical Tablet Preparation Process

List of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

As per EMA, pharmaceutical dosage form names are mentioned below:

• Bath additive
• Bladder irrigation
• Buccal Tablet
• Cachet
• Capsule
• Capsule, hard
• Capsule, soft
• Chewable tablet
• Coated tablet
• Collodion
• Concentrate for cutaneous solution
• Concentrate for gargle
• Concentrate for haemodialysis solution
• Concentrate for rectal solution
• Concentrate for solution for injection
• Concentrate for solution for infusion
• Cream
• Cutaneous stick
• Cutaneous emulsion
• Cutaneous foam
• Cutaneous liquid
• Cutaneous paste
• Cutaneous powder
• Cutaneous solution
• Cutaneous sponge
• Cutaneous spray
• Cutaneous spray, powder
• Cutaneous spray, solution
• Cutaneous spray, suspension
• Cutaneous suspension
• Dental emulsion
• Dental gel
• Dental insert
• Dental liquid
• Dental powder
• Dental solution
• Dental stick
• Dental suspension
• Dispersible tablet
• Ear cream
• Ear drops
• Ear drops, emulsion
• Ear drops, solution
• Ear drops, suspension
• Ear gel
• Ear ointment
• Ear powder
• Ear spray
• Ear spray, emulsion
• Ear spray, solution
• Ear spray, suspension
• Ear stick
• Ear tampon
• Ear wash
• Ear wash, emulsion
• Ear wash, solution
• Effervescent granules
• Effervescent powder
• Effervescent tablet
• Effervescent vaginal tablet
• Emulsion for infusion
• Emulsion for injection
• Endocervical gel
• Endotracheopulmonary instillation
• Endotracheopulmonary instillation, powder and solvent for solution
• Endotracheopulmonary instillation, powder for solution
• Endotracheopulmonary instillation, solution
• Endotracheopulmonary instillation, suspension
• Enema
• Eye cream
• Eye drops
• Eye drops, powder and solvent for solution
• Eye drops, powder and solvent for suspension
• Eye drops, prolonged-release
• Eye drops, solution
• Eye drops, solvent for reconstitution
• Eye drops, suspension
• Eye gel
• Eye lotion
• Eye lotion, solvent for reconstitution
• Eye ointment
• Film-coated tablet
• Gargle
• Gargle, powder for solution
• Gargle, tablet for solution
• Gastroenteral emulsion
• Gastroenteral liquid
• Gastroenteral solution
• Gastroenteral suspension
• Gastro-resistant capsule
• Gastro-resistant capsule, hard
• Gastro-resistant capsule, soft
• Gastro-resistant granules
• Gastro-resistant tablet
• Gel
• Gingival gel
• Gingival paste
• Gingival solution
• Granules
• Granules for oral solution
• Granules for oral suspension
• Granules for syrup
• Herbal tea
• Implant
• Implantation  chain
• Implantation tablet
• Impregnated dressing
• Impregnated pad
• Inhalation gas
• Inhalation powder
• Inhalation powder, hard capsule
• Inhalation powder, pre-dispensed
• Inhalation vapour
• Inhalation vapour, capsule
• Inhalation vapour, liquid
• Inhalation vapour, ointment
• Inhalation vapour, powder
• Inhalation vapour, solution
• Inhalation vapour, tablet
• Injection
• Instant herbal tea
• Intrauterine device
• Intrauterine liquid
• Intravenous infusion
• Irrigation solution
• Kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation
• Lozenge
• Medicated chewing-gum
• Medicated nail lacquer
• Medicated vaginal tampon
• Modified-release capsule, hard
• Modified-release capsule, soft
• Modified-release granules
• Modified-release tablet
• Mouth wash
• Mouth wash, tablet for solution
• Muco-adhesive buccal tablet
• Nasal cream
• Nasal drops
• Nasal drops, emulsion
• Nasal drops, solution
• Nasal drops, suspension
• Nasal gel
• Nasal ointment
• Nasal powder
• Nasal spray
• Nasal spray, emulsion
• Nasal spray, solution
• Nasal spray, suspension
• Nasal stick
• Nasal wash
• Nebuliser emulsion
• Nebuliser liquid
• Nebuliser solution
• Nebuliser suspension
• Ointment
• Ophthalmic insert
• Oral drops
• Oral drops, emulsion
• Oral drops, solution
• Oral drops, suspension
• Oral emulsion
• Oral gel
• Oral gum
• Oral liquid
• Oral lyophilisate
• Oral paste
• Oral powder
• Oral solution
• Oral suspension
• Orodispersible tablet
• Oromucosal capsule
• Oromucosal drops
• Oromucosal gel
• Oromucosal liquid
• Oromucosal paste
• Oromucosal solution
• Oromucosal spray
• Oromucosal suspension
• Pessary
• Pillules
• Poultice
• Pour-on
• Powder for rectal solution
• Powder and solvent for endocervical gel
• Powder and solvent for oral solution
• Powder and solvent for oral suspension
• Powder and solvent for sealant
• Powder and solvent for solution for infusion
• Powder and solvent for solution for injection
• Powder and solvent for suspension for injection
• Powder for bladder irrigation
• Powder for infusion
• Powder for injection
• Powder for nebuliser solution
• Powder for nebuliser suspension
• Powder for oral solution
• Powder for oral suspension
• Powder for rectal suspension
• Powder for solution for infusion
• Powder for solution for injection
• Powder for suspension for injection
• Powder for syrup
• Pressurised inhalation
• Pressurised inhalation, emulsion
• Pressurised inhalation, solution
• Pressurised inhalation, suspension
• Prolonged-release capsule
• Prolonged-release capsule, hard
• Prolonged-release capsule, soft
• Prolonged-release granules
• Prolonged-release tablet
• Radionuclide generator
• Radiopharmaceutical precursor
• Rectal capsule
• Rectal cream
• Rectal emulsion
• Rectal foam
• Rectal gel
• Rectal ointment
• Rectal solution
• Rectal suspension
• Rectal tampon
• Sealant
• Shampoo
• Soluble tablet
• Solution for haemodiafiltration
• Solution for haemodialysis
• Solution for haemofiltration
• Solution for infusion
• Solution for injection
• Solution for intravesical use
• Solution for iontophoresis
• Solution for organ preservation
• Solution for peritoneal dialysis
• Solvent for parenteral use
• Spot-on
• Sterile concentrate
• Stomach irrigation
• Sublingual spray
• Sublingual tablet
• Suppository
• Suspension for injection
• Syrup
• Tablet
• Tablet for rectal solution
• Tablet for rectal suspension
• Tablet for vaginal solution
• Toothpaste
• Transdermal patch
• Urethral gel
• Urethral stick
• Vaginal capsule
• Vaginal capsule, hard
• Vaginal capsule, soft
• Vaginal cream
• Vaginal device
• Vaginal emulsion
• Vaginal foam
• Vaginal gel
• Vaginal liquid
• Vaginal ointment
• Vaginal solution
• Vaginal suspension
• Vaginal tablet
• Wound stick
• Concentrate and diluent for solution for injection
• Intrauterine tablet
• Powder and solvent for dental gel
• Premix for medicated feeding stuff
• Spot-on solution
• Anticoagulant and preservative solution for blood
• Blood fraction modifier
• Compressed lozenge
• Denture lacquer
• Dispersion
• Gel for injection
• Intrauterine delivery system
• Living tissue equivalent
• Medicated plaster
• Pastille
• Powder for rectal solution
• Soft capsule
• Solution for blood fraction modification
• Vaginal delivery system
• Chewable capsule, soft
• Ear drops, powder and solvent for suspension
• Eye drops, emulsion
• Infusion
• Intestinal gel
• Lyophilisate for suspension
• Medicated sponge
• Medicated thread
• Medicinal gas, compressed
• Medicinal gas, cryogenic
• Medicinal gas, liquefied
• Oromucosal cream
• Periodontal gel
• Periodontal insert
• Periodontal powder
• Plaster for provocation test
• Powder and solvent for implantation paste
• Powder for dip solution
• Solution for provocation test
• Solution for skin-prick test
• Solution for skin-scratch test
• Transdermal system
• Chewable/dispersible tablet
• Concentrate and diluent for solution for infusion
• Concentrate and solvent for concentrate for solution for infusion
• Concentrate and solvent for cutaneous solution
• Concentrate and solvent for cutaneous use
• Concentrate and solvent for injection
• Concentrate and solvent for solution for infusion
• Concentrate and solvent for solution for injection
• Concentrate and solvent for suspension for injection
• Concentrate for cutaneous spray, emulsion
• Concentrate for oral solution
• Concentrate for oral/rectal solution
• Concentrate for peritoneal dialysis solution
• Concentrate for solution for intravesical use
• Concentrate for suspension for infusion
• Cutaneous and nasal ointment
• Cutaneous spray, ointment
• Dental paste
• Ear/eye drops, solution
• Ear/eye oinment
• Ear/eye/nose drops, solution
• Emulsion for injection/infusion
• Endosinusal wash, suspension
• Suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe
• Gargle/mouth wash
• Gastro-resistant coated tablet
• Gastro-resistant granules for oral suspension
• Granules and solvent for suspension for injection
• Granules for oral and rectal suspension
• Granules for oral drops, solution
• Inhalation powder, tablet
• Inhalation vapour, effervescent tablet
• Inhalation vapour, emulsion
• Inhalation vapour, impregnated pad
• Liquefied gas for dental use
• Modified-release film-coated tablet
• Modified-release granules for oral suspension
• Nasal spray and oromucosal solution
• Oral/rectal suspension
• Oromucosal patch
• Oromucosal/laryngopharyngeal solution
• Oromucosal/laryngopharyngeal solution/spray
• Pillules, single-dose container
• Powder and solvent for concentrate for solution for infusion
• Powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
• Powder and solvent for cutaneous solution
• Powder and solvent for endosinusial solution
• Powder and solvent for gingival gel
• Powder and solvent for instillation solution for intraocular use
• Powder and solvent for prolonged-release suspension for injection
• Powder for concentrate for haemodialysis solution
• Powder for intravesical solution
• Powder for intravesical suspension
• Powder for mouth wash
• Powder for oral/rectal suspension
• Powder for solution for injection or infusion
• Powder for solution for intravesical use
• Powder for solution for nasal spray
• Prolonged-release granules for oral suspension
• Radiopharmaceutical precursor, solution
• Solution for haemodialysis/haemofiltration
• Solution for infusion and oral solution
• Solution for injection/infusion
• Solution for intraperitoneal use
• Suspension and effervescent granules for oral suspension
• Suspension for infusion
• Tablet and solvent for rectal suspension
• Tablet and powder for oral solution
• Tablet for oral suspension
• Powder for solution for intraocular irrigation
• Solvent for solution for intraocular irrigation
• Solvent for solution for infusion
• Dispersion for injection
• Gas and solvent for dispersion for injection/infusion
• Concentrate for solution for injection/infusion
• Powder and solvent for solution for injection/infusion
• Inhalation solution
• Oral drops, powder for suspension
• Cutaneous patch
• Ophthalmic strip
• Eye drops, solution in single-dose container
• Granules for vaginal solution
• Oral solution/concentrate for nebuliser solution
• Oromucosal powder in pouch
• Powder and suspension for suspension for injection
• Solution for injection in cartridge
• Solution for injection in pre-filled pen
• Solution for injection in pre-filled syringe
• Suspension and solution for spray
• Suspension for injection in cartridge
• Suspension for injection in pre-filled pen

Read Also: Types of Dosage Forms with Examples

Reference:

• USP-NF <1151>
• EMA