Solid dosage forms
This group includes agents with a dense consistency. The best-known form is the tablet (Tabuletta, ae f), which is produced by pressing active and auxiliary components. Sometimes tablets are coated with a special shell (Tabuletta obducta). This is done for several purposes: to improve appearance, mask an unpleasant taste, ensure stability, or localize the site of drug action.
Also among the solid dosage forms is the dragée (Dragée, an indeclinable word). It is produced by layering substances onto tiny grains — granules (Granulum, i n). If the medicine has the form of a small ball, it is a pill (Pilula, ae f). For convenient oral administration, preparations are often placed into gelatin shells, forming capsules (Capsula gelatinosa).
Powder (Pulvis, eris m) is widely used. It is versatile: it is prescribed orally, topically, and after adding a solvent—even as injections. A special place is occupied by herbal teas/species (Species, ērum f, used in the plural). They represent a mixture of crushed or whole raw materials and serve as the basis for preparing homemade decoctions and infusions.
Soft forms: ointments, pastes, and suppositories
Soft forms are characterized by plasticity and a viscous consistency. The basic concept is the ointment (Unguentum, i n), intended exclusively for external use. If the ointment has a liquid consistency, it is called a liniment (Linimentum, i n). If more than 20–25% of dry powdered substances are added to the ointment base, the mass becomes denser and turns into the category of pastes (Pasta, ae f).
An interesting form is the plaster (Emplastrum, i n). At normal temperature it is a dense, plastic mass, but from the heat of the human body it softens and firmly adheres to the skin.
Mention should be made separately of suppositories (Suppositorium, i n). At room temperature they remain solid, but melt or dissolve upon entering the body. They are inserted into cavities: rectal variants are traditionally called suppositories (candles), while spherical forms for vaginal administration are called globulus vaginalis.
Liquid forms and disperse systems
In this category, the most common are solutions (Solutio, onis f), in which one or more substances are completely dispersed in a solvent. They are suitable for injectable, external, and internal use. Liquid preparations for internal use also include syrups (Sirŭpus medicinalis, i m).
Complex disperse systems are divided into two main types:
- Suspension (Suspensio, onis f) is a dispersion where a solid substance floats in a liquid.
- Emulsion (Emulsum, i n) is a system consisting of two mutually insoluble liquids (e.g., oil and water).
Technically, an aerosol (Aërosolum, i n) is also a disperse system, but it exists in a gaseous medium and requires special packaging (a canister). Liquid drops (Gutta, ae f), prescribed orally or topically, are traditionally in demand. A modern alternative to eye drops is polymeric ophthalmic films (Membranula ophthalmica or Lamella ophthalmica).
Extracts from plant raw materials
Plant raw materials are actively used to create liquid extracts. If extraction is carried out using water, an infusion (Infūsum, i n) is obtained. If the extraction process proceeds in a special mode requiring long thermal processing, the result is called a decoction (Decoctum, i n).
The use of alcohol or ether makes it possible to create a clear tincture (Tinctura, ae f). The most concentrated preparations from plants are extracts (Extractum, i n). Depending on the consistency, an extract can be liquid (fluidum), thick (spissum), or completely dry (siccum).
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What types of suppositories exist according to the site of administration?
According to the site of administration, suppositories are divided into rectal and vaginal. When administered via the rectum, a suppository is called a rectal suppository, and if it has the shape of a sphere for vaginal administration, it is a vaginal globule.
- Rectal (suppositoria rectalia) — administered via the rectum (per rectum).
- Vaginal (suppositoria vaginalia) — administered into the vagina, having the shape of globules, ovules, or pessaries.
In which number and case are herbal mixtures (Species) prescribed in a prescription?
Sources indicate that herbal mixtures (Species, ērum f) are prescribed only in the plural (Pluralis). The grammatical case for this formulation is not specified in the cited sources.
What types of plasters (Emplastrum) are distinguished by their medical purpose?
The provided materials contain no information on the classification of plasters by their medical purpose. The sources contain only general data on plasters as a dosage form in the form of a plastic mass that softens at body temperature, adheres to the skin, and is intended for external use.
What types of tablets exist by route of administration?
Tablets are classified by application method and routes of administration into several types. They can be intended for internal, external, or injection use, and are also divided into swallowable whole, chewable, sublingual/buccal, and vaginal.
- For internal, external, or injection use — the main general directions for prescribing tablets.
- Swallowed whole — gastro- or enteric-soluble tablets.
- Chewable (masticatoriae) — tablets for chewing.
- For dissolution in the mouth — sublingual and transbuccal types.
- Vaginal — tablets for vaginal administration.
All dosage forms from our list ending in -um (Unguentum, Linimentum, Emplastrum, Emulsum, Infusum, Decoctum, Extractum, Suppositorium, Granulum, Aërosolum) belong to the neuter gender of the second declension and have the ending -i in the genitive case.
Class and exam questions
What is the difference between an infusion and a tincture?
An infusion (Infusum) is always an aqueous extract from plant material. A tincture (Tinctura) is prepared using alcohol, ether, or their mixtures with water, and is usually transparent.
How to distinguish a suspension from an emulsion?
In a suspension, solid insoluble particles are suspended in a liquid. In an emulsion, two mutually insoluble liquids are mixed, without solid components.
What is a liniment?
A liniment (Linimentum) is a liquid variant of an ointment intended exclusively for external use.
Is the word "dragee" declined in Latin?
No, the word Dragée is a term of French origin and is not declined in Latin prescription writing.
What else to study on this topic
- Grammatical features of prescribing suspensions and emulsions.
- Rules for writing multicomponent medicinal herbal mixtures (Species).
- Differences in the formulation of liquid, thick, and dry plant extracts.
- Prescription formulations for vaginal and rectal suppositories.
- Designation in prescriptions of tablets coated with a special shell (obducta).
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