Dosage forms (also called unit doses) are pharmaceutical drug products in the form in which they are marketed for use, with a specific mixture of active ingredients and inactive components (excipients), in a particular configuration (such as a capsule shell, for example), and apportioned into a particular dose. For example, two products may both be amoxicillin, but one is in 500 mg capsules and another is in 250 mg chewable tablets. The term unit dose can also sometimes encompass non-reusable packaging as well (especially when each drug product is individually packaged

1. INTRODUCTION AND CLASSIFICATION
OF DOSAGE FORMS
Dr. P. R. Chavan
Pharm D

2. DRUG
 Substances and specified devices meant for
treatment, mitigation or prevention of diseases or
disorders in human being or animals, intended to
affect any function or any structure of human body
are termed as Drug.
 e.g. Paracetamol, Aspirin, salbutamol

3. DOSAGE FORM
 Is a transformation of pure chemical compound
into predetermined form by admixing drug
compound with different kinds of non drug
components collectively known as Adjuvants each
having specific function.
 E.g. Tablet , capsules,syrupes,suppositories,
creams.
 Dosage forms are the means by which drug
molecules are delivered to sites of action within the
body.

4. DESIRABLE PROPERTIES OF DOSAGE FORM
 Convenient to handle, use and store
 Stable during storage and use
 Withstand mechanical shock during transport
 Flexibility in different drug strength
 Provide expected therapeutic effect
 Extent, drug release, onset, intensity, duration of
action predictable
 Economical and elegant

5. THE NEED FOR DOSAGE FORMS:
 To protect the drug substance from the destructive
influences of atmospheric oxygen or humidity
(coated tablets, sealed ampuls).
 To protect the drug substance from the destructive
influence of gastric acid after oral administration
(enteric-coated tablets)
 To conceal the bitter, salty, or offensive taste or
odor of a drug substance (capsules, coated tablets,
flavored syrups)

6. CONTINUED…
 To provide liquid preparations of substances that
are either insoluble or unstable in the desired
vehicle (suspensions)
 To provide clear liquid dosage forms of substances
(syrups, solutions)
 To provide rate-controlled drug action (various
controlled-release tablets, capsules, and
suspensions)

7. CONTINUED…
 To provide optimal drug action from topical
administration sites (ointments, creams,
transdermal patches, and ophthalmic, ear, and
nasal preparations)
 To provide for insertion of a drug into one of the
body’s orifices (rectal, urethral or vaginal
suppositories)
 To provide for placement of drugs directly in the
bloodstream or body tissues (Parenteral injections)

8. CONTINUED…
 To provide for optimal drug action through
inhalation therapy (inhalants and inhalation
aerosols)
 To provide drug products that bind to a specific
physiological site of action/ targeted-release

10. A. CLASSIFICATION AS PER PHYSICAL
FORM
1. Solid dosage form
2. Liquid dosage form
3. Semi-solid dosage form
4. Gaseous dosage form

11. 1.
2. 3.
4. Gaseous dosage
form
•Inhalational
•Aerosol

12. B. ROUTE WISE CLASSIFICATION:
 Oral dosage form
 Topical dosage form
 Parenteral dosage form

14. C. CLASSIFICATION BY RELEASE RATE:
 Sustained release
 Prolonged-release
 Controlled release
 Targeted drug delivery

15. MERITS DEMERITS
Oral preparations
 Unit dose system Swallowing is difficult for children.
 Physical, Chemical,Physiological stability & hence
long shelf life Onset of action is slow and depends
on disintegration and dissolution.
 Economic Ease of Transportation Tasteless &
elegance

16. MERITS DEMERITS
 The solid dosage forms are mostly available in the
unit dose form, such as tablets, capsules, pills,
powders.
 When drugs are administer orally in dry state
tablets and capsules are more convenient form.
 They are effective and patients have no problem in
their handling, Identification and administration

17. MERITS DEMERITS
 Certain substances are to be suspended or diffused
form to produced maximum surface area like kaolin.
 Storage & transportation hazards.
 few drugs if taken in dry form may cause pain and
irritation for e.g. Potassium bromide, Aspirin
Physiological satisfaction of a patient of something
in a bottle.

18. MERITS DEMERITS
Liquid preparations
 Onset of action is quick as compare to tablets pills
capsules.
 Dose has to be measured Certain medicinal
substances can only be given in liquid form like
Caster oil paraffin Stability & preservation presents
a problem.
 Onset of action is quick, can also be controlled by
way of changing the routes of administration a &
modification of formula.

19. MERITS DEMERITS
Injections
 Injections cause pain
 The therapeutic effect of drug is ensured as
compared to the uncontrolled absorption from the
intestine when drug is administered through oral
route Need trained persons

20. MERITS DEMERITS
 The drug which is inactivated by gastric juice can
be easily administered by this route
 Onset of action is quick any unwanted actions after
injecting the drug rather difficult to be corrected.
 Unconscious patients or patients who are vomiting
& purging can be given by this route.