Medication Preparations and Supplies Chapter 4 Medication Preparations and Supplies
Oral
Tablet Disc of compressed drug; may be coated to enhance easy swallowing. May be scored
Enteric-coated tablet Tablet with special coating that resists disintegration by gastric juices
Timed-release (Sustained-Release) Capsule containing drug particles that have various coatings that differ in the amount of time required before coatings dissolve
Lozenge Tablet containing palatable flavoring, indicated for a local (often soothing) effect on the throat or mouth
Suspension Liquid form of medication that must be shaken well before administration because the drug particles settle at the bottom of the bottle
Liquid drug preparation that contains oils and fats in water Emulsion Liquid drug preparation that contains oils and fats in water
Liquid drug forms with alcohol base Elixir, fluid extract Liquid drug forms with alcohol base
Sweetened, flavored liquid drug form Syrup Sweetened, flavored liquid drug form
Liquid drug form in which the drug is totally evenly dissolved Solution Liquid drug form in which the drug is totally evenly dissolved
Rectal
Suppository Drug suspended in a substance, such as cocoa butter, that melts at body temperature
Drug suspended in solution to be administered as an enema Enema solutuion Drug suspended in solution to be administered as an enema
Injectable
Drugs suspended in a sterile vehicle Solution Drugs suspended in a sterile vehicle
Dry particles of drugs to be mixed with a sterile diluting solution Powder Dry particles of drugs to be mixed with a sterile diluting solution
Injected directly into a vein (immediate absorption) Intravenous Injected directly into a vein (immediate absorption)
Injected into a muscle positioning the needle at a 90-degree angle Intramuscular Injected into a muscle positioning the needle at a 90-degree angle
subcutaneous Injected into the fatty layer of tissue below the skin by positioning the needle at a 45-degree angle
intradermal Injected just beneath the skin, by positioning the needle bevel up and the syringe at a 15-degree angle
epidural Injected into a catheter that has been placed by an anesthesiologist in the epidural space of the spinal canal.
Injected directly into the heart intracardiac Injected directly into the heart
intraspinal Injected into the subarachnoid space which contains cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.
Intracapsular (intra-articular) Injected into the capsule of a joint, usually to reduce inflammation as in bursitis
Topical
Semisolid preparation containing a drug Cream or ointment Semisolid preparation containing a drug
lotion A liquid preparation applied externally for treatment of skin disorders
liniment Preparation for external use that is rubbed on the skin as a counterirritant
Dermal patch Skin patch containing drug molecules that can be absorbed through the skin at varying rates to promote a consistent blood level between application times
Eye, ear, and nose drops (gtt) Drugs in sterile liquids to be applied by drops
Eye ointment Sterile semisolid preparation, often antibiotic in nature, for ophthalmic use only
Vaginal Creams Medicated creams, often of antibiotic or antifungal nature that are inserted vaginally with the use of a special applicator
Rectal and Vaginal Suppositories Drug suspended in a substance, such as cocoa butter, that melts at body temperature, for local effect
Douche solution Sterile solution, often as an antiseptic such as povidone iodine solution and sterile water, used to irrigate the vaginal canal.
Tablet that is absorbed via the buccal mucosa in the mouth Buccal tablet Tablet that is absorbed via the buccal mucosa in the mouth
Tablet that is absorbed via the mucosa under the tongue Sublingual tablet Tablet that is absorbed via the mucosa under the tongue
Inhalable
Spray or Mist Liquid drug forms that may be inhaled as fine droplets via the use of spray bottles, nebulizers, or metered dose inhalers.
Gas Anesthetics, such as nitrous oxide, that are introduced via the respiratory route for general anesthesia