DOSAGE FORMS OF DRUGS &

ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Shankhadip Pal
1st Year PGT, Department of Pharmacology
NRS Medical College, Kolkata
Introduction:

 Definition of Drug:

Any substance or product that is used or intended to be used

to modify or explore physiological systems or pathological

states for the benefit of the recipient. [World Health

Organization(WHO) 1966]
Formulation:

It is a process by which a drug is prepared. It contains the

list of active ingredients i.e. the drug, other substances, like

excipients, vehicles, flavouring agents and preservatives,

with the amounts contained therein.

What is a Dosage Form:

It is a vehicle, delivery system or device by which the

drug formulation can be administered or delivered to

the patient.

It contains the active drug and the pharmaceutical

excipients.
Types of Dosage Forms:

1. Solid Dosage Forms

2. Liquid Dosage Forms

3. Semi-solid Dosage Forms

4. Gaseous Forms
Types of Dosage Forms(Contd.):

Solid Dosage Forms: Liquid Dosage Forms:

1. Powder 1. Syrup

2. Effervescent Powder 2. Suspension

3. Granules 3. Liquor/Solution

4. Tablet 4. Linctus

5. Capsule 5. Emulsion

6. Spansule 6. Drop
7. Tincture
8. Enema
Semi-Solid Dosage Forms: Gaseous Forms:

1. Ointment
1. Inhalant

2. Cream
2. Aerosol

3. Gel

4. Paste
Some Special Dosage Forms:

1. Suppositories(Rectal)

2. Pessaries(Vaginal)

3. Transdermal Adhesive Patch

4. Ocuserts

5. Progestaserts

6. Liposomal Drug Formulation

Solid Dosage Forms:

 Powder:

They may be simple(containing one drug) or mixture of drugs

in a dried and finely pulverised form for internal or systemic

use.

Example: Sodium bicarbonate powder, Aspirin powder.

Some may be for external use also like for example: dusting Fig: Aspirin Powder Pack

powder.
Effervescent Powder:

These powdered drugs when dissolved in water , effervesce

with evolution of CO2 because these are mixed with citric

acid, tartaric acid or sodium bicarbonate.

Example: Antacid fruit salts such as ENO.

ENO Effervescent Powder

Solid Dosage Forms(Contd.):
 Granules:

These are small aggregates of powders held together by

a binding agent such as starch or alcoholic spray.

Example: Vitamin D3 granules

Fig: Vitamin D3 Granules
Tablets:

These are powdered or granulated form of drug compressed

under heavy pressure into a round or disc like shape which is

suitable for swallowing.

Fig: Paracetamol Tablets

Example: Paracetamol tablets.
Different Forms of Tablets:
 Sugar Coated Tablets:

Tablets which are coated over by sugar to avoid

the bitter taste of their ingredients.

Fig: Chloroquine Tablet

Example: Chloroquine tablet, Metronidazole

tablet.
Film-Coated Tablets:

Transparent film coating is done by gelatin or cellulose

derivatives so that tablet size remains unchanged but

unpleasant taste is masked.

Example: Cefuroxime film-coated tablet.

Fig: Cefuroxime Film-Coated Tablet

Enteric-Coated Tablet:
Coating of cellulose or keratin made over the tablet to

make it resistant to gastric acid but soluble in

intestinal alkaline pH, thus protecting the active drug

from destruction at gastric acidic pH and gastric

Fig: Enteric coated Aspirin
irritation is minimized.

Example: Enteric coated Aspirin, Diclofenac tablets.

Sustained Release Tablet:

Such tablets provide an uniform and sustained release of the

drug over a period of 10-12 hrs and thus reducing side

effects and also improving compliance by reducing pill

burden of short acting drugs. Fig: Sustained Release

Metformin

Example: Metformin sustained release tablets.

Immediate-Release Tablet:

Immediate-release tablets are designed to release the

active ingredient quickly after ingestion. These tablets are

formulated to disintegrate rapidly in the GI tract, allowing

the drug to be absorbed into the bloodstream at a faster Fig: Metoprolol

Tartarate tablet

rate.

Example: Metoprolol Tartarate immediate release tablet.

Dispersible Tablet:

Tablets that disintegrate within few seconds in liquid

making a homogenous mixture before administration to the

patient.

Fig: Zinc Dispersible

Example: Zinc Dispersible tablet. Tablet
Capsules:

These are tasteless gelatin containers of proper size, having

powdered drug and excipients(if any) and are meant for

swallowing.
Fig: Amoxycillin
Example: Amoxycillin capsules, Tetracycline capsules. capsules
Types of Capsules:
 Hard Gelatin Capsules:

Capsule made up of gelatin, sugar and water containing

low moisture content. They are hard and cylindrical in

shape containing powder or granules inside.

Example: Tetracycline hard gelatin capsules, Amoxycillin Fig: Tetracycline capsules

hard gelatin capsules.

Soft Gelatin Capsules:

Capsule made up of gelatin, water, glycerine or sorbitol

containing higher moisture content than hard gelatin

capsules. Used for filling liquid or semisolid preparations.

Example: Vitamin E soft gelatin capsules. Fig: Vitamin E capsules

Spansules:

 Spansules are specialized, hard gelatin capsules filled

with coated granules (pellets) that release medication

slowly or at different times over an extended period

(sustained/controlled release).

 Example: Iron formulations, Timed Release capsule of

Nitroglycerin etc. Spansules

Liquid Dosage Forms:

 Syrups:

These contain drug(s) in concentrated solution of sugar and

flavouring agents and permitted colours.

Example: Levosalbutamol syrup, Ambroxol syrup etc.

Levosalbutamol
Syrup
Suspension:

A suspension is a heterogeneous biphasic liquid dosage form

containing finely divided, insoluble solid drug particles

(dispersed phase) dispersed uniformly throughout a liquid

vehicle (continuous phase).

Sucralfate
Example: Sucralfate suspension, Magnesium hydroxide Suspension

suspension etc.
Liquor/Solution:

These are aqueous solutions of medicinal substances

which are either gases or are volatile or which

sublimate.

Example: Hydrogen peroxide solution, Liquor Ammonia

H2O2 Solution
etc.
Linctus:

These are viscous syrupy liquids containing the drug with

some demulcent like menthol. They are to be sipped without

dilution for their soothing effect in case of sore throat

locally.

Example: Cough Linctus. Cough Linctus

Emulsion:
These are obtained when two or more immiscible liquid

medications are dispersed together by means of some

suspending agent like gum acacia. Here one liquid serves

as the continuous phase in which the other liquid is

dispersed uniformly in fine droplet form.

Example: Liquid Paraffin & Milk of Magnesia Emulsion, Liquid Paraffin & Milk
of Magnesia Emulsion

Cod liver oil emulsion etc.

Drop:

These are small amounts of highly concentrated solution of

drug(s). Mainly used in paediatric population in oral route.

Eye and ear drops are also available for topical application

irrespective of age.
Moxifloxacin eye
drop

Example: Moxifloxacin eye drop, Vitamin A drop for oral use

in infants and children.

Tincture:

These are either alcoholic extracts of plant drugs or hydro-

alcoholic solutions of inorganic substances.

Example: Tinct. Belladonna(Organic) and Tinct. Iodine

(Inorganic- used as antiseptic solution)

Tinct. Iodine
Enema:

These are medicated liquid preparations for rectal

administration and are used for evacuation of the colon.

Example: Sodium Phosphate enema.

Sodium
Phosphate enema
Semi-Solid Dosage Forms:
 Ointment:

These are soft, semi-solid masses containing the drug

in a greasy base like soft or hard paraffin or wool

fat. Some ointments are made in a water miscible

base.
Mupirocin Ointment
Examples: Mupirocin ointment, Silver Sulfadiazine

ointment etc.
Cream:

It is an emulsion, semi-solid dosage form containing >20%

water and volatile oil and/or <50% hydrocarbons, waxes or

polyols as the vehicle. It is generally used for external

application to the skin or mucous membranes.

Clotrimazole Cream
Examples: Clotrimazole antifungal cream, Betamethasone

cream etc.
Gels:

The active drug is dissolved in a liquid and then

dispersed in some gelling agent such as soft gelatin

etc. These are usually transparent preparations.

Examples: Diclofenac analgesic gel, Clindamycin Diclofenac Gel

phosphate gel etc.

Paste:

These are prepared with some adhesive material like

starch or a foaming agent like carboxymethyl cellulose.

Examples: Zinc Oxide paste.

Zinc Oxide Paste

Gaseous Forms:
 Inhalants:

Liquid preparations containing a drug to be inhaled

as vapour. The contents may be poured into a jug

of boiling water and inhaled.

Examples: Tinct. Benzoin inhalation.

Tincture Benzoin
Aerosols:

It is a spray that contains very fine liquid or solid drug

particles in a gas propellant that is packaged under pressure.

Examples: Albuterol, Salbutamol inhalation aerosol etc.

Salbutamol
Inhalation Aerosol
Some Special Dosage Forms:
 1. Suppositories and Pessaries:

These contain the drug mixed with glycerine or gelatin or hard

soap or cocoa butter. They remain solid in room temperature Bisacodyl Suppository

but become slippery and melt at body temperature.

Suppositories are bullet shaped and for rectal use.

Pessaries are conical in shape and for vaginal use.

Vaginal Pessary

Examples: Bisacodyl Suppository, Estradiol Vaginal Pessary

Transdermal Adhesive Patch:
The drug is incorporated into a polymer that is bonded to an

adhesive plaster. The drug is delivered at the skin surface by

diffusion, for percutaneous absorption into circulation.

They provide prolonged period of steady state concentration

of the drug in the plasma from their site of application.

(Chest, abdomen, upper arm or mastoid region). Nitroglycerin Transdermal

Patch

Examples: Nitroglycerin, Scopolamine Transdermal Patch etc.

Ocuserts:

These are thin, elliptical microunits that contain the drug

in a reservoir form from which the drug is slowly released

through a membrane by diffusion at a steady state.

Pilocarpine Ocusert
Example: Pilocarpine Ocusert on the lower eyelid in case

of Glaucoma (Duration- 7 days)

Progestaserts:

This is an Intrauterine contraceptive device which is

inserted into the uterus and releases progesterone

constantly throughout one year at a specified rate.

Progestasert IUCD
Liposomal Drug Formulation:

These are minute vesicles produced by sonication of an

aqueous suspension of certain drugs. Mainly used for I.V

infusion as they are less nephrotoxic than conventional drug

forms.

Example: Liposomal Amphotericin-B used in several Liposomal Amphotericin-B

systemic mycoses and visceral leishmaniasis.

Computerised Miniature Pumps:
• These are programmed to release drugs at a definitive rate

either continuously or intermittently.

• Examples are Insulin pumps which are continuous in nature and

GnRH pumps which are intermittent or pulsatile in nature.

• These pumps may also be provided with glucose sensory Insulin Pump

devices which trigger the required dose of insulin as per the

body’s glycaemic status.

Routes of Drug Administration

 Most drugs can be administered by a variety of routes. The choice of

appropriate route in a given situation depends both on drug as well as

patient related factors. Mostly common-sense considerations,

feasibility and convenience dictate the route to be used.

Routes can be broadly divided into those for-

(a) Local action and (b) Systemic action.

 Routes of Drug Administration

Systemic Local

1. Topical
2. Intra-Vitreal *2
3. Intra-Articular*2
Enteral Parenteral 4. Intra-Arterial *2
5. Intrathecal/Intraspinal *2
1. Intravenous(I.V) *1
1. Oral 1. Inhalational*
2. Intramuscular(I.M) *1
2. Sublingual 2. Injections*
3. Subcutaneous(S.C) *1
3. Rectal 3. Transdermal
4. Intradermal(I.D) *1

• *Injections and Inhalationals can be both systemic and local

• *1 Systemic Injections
• *2 Local Injections
Factors Governing Choice of Route:

1. Physical and chemical properties of the drug (solid/

liquid/gas; solubility, stability, pH, irritancy).

2. Site of desired action—localized and approachable or

generalized and not approachable.

3. Rate and extent of absorption of the drug from different

routes.
Factors Governing Choice of Route(Contd.):

4. Effect of digestive juices and first pass metabolism on the drug.

5. Rapidity with which the response is desired (routine treatment

or emergency).

6. Accuracy of dosage required (I.V. and inhalational can provide

fine tuning).

7. Condition of the patient (unconscious, vomiting etc.).

 Oral Route:

 It is the oldest and the most common route of drug

administration. It is very safe, non-invasive and most

convenient for the patient. Both solid (tablet, capsule,

powder etc) and liquid (syrup, suspension, linctus,

emulsions etc) can be taken by this route. Oral Route

 Advantages Disadvantages
Cheap Drug action is slower, not suitable
for emergencies.

Non-invasive Bioavailability*1 is lower due to

first pass metabolism*2 in
intestinal wall & liver

Safe Cannot be used in uncooperative,

unconscious & vomiting patients.
Convenient for the patient May cause nausea and vomiting.

Suitable for both solid & liquid Variable absorption, dependent

dosage forms on food intake, gut pH or
intestinal enzymes.

*1 Bioavailability is a measure of the fraction(F) *2 This refers to metabolism of a drug during its
of administered dose of a drug that reaches the passage from the site of absorption into the
systemic circulation in the unchanged form. systemic circulation.
Sublingual and Buccal Route:

 Here the drug is placed under the tongue or

crushed in the mouth and spread over the buccal

mucosa.

 Only non-irritant drugs can be administered. Sublingual/Buccal Route

 Absorption is relatively rapid due to rich vascular

supply in the area under the tongue.

Sublingual and Buccal Route(Contd.):
 One can spit the drug after the desired effect has been

obtained.

 The chief advantage is that liver is bypassed and drugs

with high first pass metabolism can be absorbed directly

into systemic circulation.

 Examples of drugs given sublingually are—Glyceryl

Trinitrate(GTN), Buprenorphine etc.

Rectal Route:
 Certain irritant and unpleasant drugs can be put into

rectum as suppositories or retention enema for

systemic effect.

 This route can also be used when the patient is having

recurrent vomiting or is unconscious. Rectal Route

 Absorption is slower, irregular and often

unpredictable.
Rectal Route(Contd.):
 Drug absorbed into external haemorrhoidal veins (about

50%) bypasses liver, but not that absorbed into internal

haemorrhoidal veins.

 Some drugs may cause rectal irritation.

 Examples: Diazepam, Indomethacin, Paracetamol,

Ergotamine etc. are sometimes given rectally, especially

in children.
Inhalational Route:
 In this route, volatile liquids and gases are inspired

through the nose or mouth.

 There is faster absorption and quick onset of action of the

drug because of larger surface area of the alveoli.

 Self-administration is also possible such as Metered Dose

Metered Dose Inhaler
Inhaler(MDI).

 Inhalational route can be considered both as a local as

well as systemic route.

Inhalational Route(Contd.):
 For example: Inhalation of oxygen and general anaesthetics

mainly produce systemic effects, whereas

 Inhalation of Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Albuterol in the form of

Metered Dose Inhaler(MDI) in treatment of bronchial asthma or

COPD mainly produce local effects in the lungs. But because of

the high surface area and rich vascular supply of the lungs,

some systemic effects are also seen.

Intravenous Route(I.V):
 Here, the drug is injected either as a bolus or infused

slowly over hours in one of the superficial veins.

 Mainly the drug is given via IV Cannulation, but in

extreme emergency, direct IV injection can also be

given.
IV injection via
Cannulation
 Eg: IV Fluids like Normal Saline infusion, Hydrocortisone

I.V injection
Advantages Disadvantages
Great value in emergency Strict aseptic conditions are needed
and self-administration is not
possible.

The drug enters the systemic It is painful and risky because once
circulation directly, bypassing the injected the drug cannot be reverted
first pass metabolism, hence back.
bioavailability is 100%.

Can be employed in uncooperative Introduction of air may produce

and unconscious patients. embolism which may prove to be
fatal.
Hypertonic solutions & GIT irritant Drugs in suspension or oily drugs
drugs can also be given by this route. cannot be administered by this
route.
Amount of the drug can be controlled Thrombophlebitis, Venous thrombosis
with accuracy unlike any other can result if extravasation occurs.
routes.
Intramuscular Route(I.M):

 Here, the drug is injected in one of the large skeletal

muscles—deltoid, triceps, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris

etc.

 Needle is inserted at 90 degrees angle to the skin surface

I.M Injection
for IM injections.

 Eg: Tetanus toxoid IM injection, Ranitidine IM injection

Advantages Disadvantages
1. Absorption is more predictable, 1. Perfect aseptic conditions are
less variable & rapid compared to needed.
oral and subcutaneous route.
2. Chances of abscess formation at
2. Depot injections*1 can also be the site of injection.
given by this route for sustained
drug effects. 3. Chances of nerve damage leading
to paresis of the supplied muscle.

4. Large volumes cannot be

administered (maximum 5 mL).

*1 It is a long acting injectable drug formulation , when injected, releases

medication slowly over weeks or months. Eg: Inj. Depot
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
Subcutaneous Route(S.C):
 In this route, the drug is injected into the subcutaneous

tissue beneath the skin.

 Subcutaneous injection of local anaesthetics like

Lignocaine produces local effects whereas S/C injection

of Insulin produces systemic effects.

Subcutaneous Injection

 Eg: Varicella Vaccine given in S/C route, Adrenaline

injection given in S/C Route etc.

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Self-injection is possible 1. Suitable for only small volumes

because deep penetration is of drugs(Maximum 1 mL).
not needed. Eg: Insulin pen.
2. Irritant drugs cannot be
2. Depot injections can also be administered as sloughing and
given by this route. necrosis may occur.
Eg: Risperidone depot injection.
3. Not suitable in the state of
shock because reduced
peripheral circulation
decreases the rate of
absorption.
Intradermal Route(I.D):
 The drug is injected into the outer layers of the skin only,
not into the subcutaneous tissue.

 The amount of drug given is small and absorption is also

slow.

 Example:

1. Injection of BCG vaccine is done via Intradermal route.

2. Tuberculin test or Mantoux test is done on the volar aspect Intradermal Injection

of the forearm via Intradermal route only.

3. Autologous Plasma Skin Test (APST) of various

antibiotics(e.g. Ceftriaxone).
Transdermal Route:
 Transdermal administration is considered to be a parenteral

route, because although patches are applied on the skin

topically, the drug provides systemic effects.

 Adhesive patch containing the drug is applied to the chest,

upper abdomen, arm or mastoid region.

Transdermal Patch
applied over arm
 Example: Nitroglycerin for Angina, Scopolamine for Motion

sickness, Nicotine patch for smoking cessation.

Transdermal Route(Contd.):

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Slow, but sustained release of 1. If irritation results, the site

the drug for several days of application can be
changed.
2. It bypasses first-pass 2. Only lipid-soluble drugs can
metabolism. be given.
Modes of Absorption of Various Systemic Routes
of Drug Administration:
Local Routes of Drug Administration:

Topical Route:
 This refers to external application of the drug to the skin surface
for localized action. It is often more convenient as well as
encouraging to the patient.

[Link], Nasal & Auditory Mucosal:

Ointments or isotonic aqueous solutions of the drug are applied or

instilled onto the conjunctiva for local effects. Example: Gentamicin
eye ointment, Moxifloxacin eye drop etc.

Drugs can also be administered as nasal drops, nasal sprays or ear Eye Drop Instillation
drops. Example: Ciprofloxacin ear drop, Xylometazoline nasal spray
etc.
Topical Route(Contd.):
2. Inunction and Dermal:

Drug preparation can be rubbed over the skin surface (Inunction) or

can be dusted or sprayed over the skin (Dermal).
Advantages Disadvantages
I. Safe and Convenient. I. Difficulty in ascertaining the
amount of drug absorbed.

II. Systemic absorption may

happen if the skin has
abrasions. Ointment Application on Skin
Example: Clotrimazole antifungal cream, Mupirocin antibiotic
ointment are applied over the skin for their local actions only.

Similarly antiseptic powders are dusted and analgesic preparations

are sprayed to provide local effects.
Topical Route(Contd.):

[Link] & Urethral:

Vaginal Pessaries and urethral bougies are available

for local use.

Eg: Estradiol Vaginal Pessary.

Vaginal Pessary
Other Local Injectable Routes:
Intra-Vitreal:

Here the drug is administered into the vitreous humour

inside the eyeball to produce local effects in the eye.

Example: Intravitreal Anti-VEGF injections (such as

Ranibizumab) are given via this route in the treatment

Intra-Vitreal Injection
of certain retinal disorders.
Intra-Articular:

Here injection is given directly into the joint space to

ensure higher concentration of the drug in the localised

area.

Example: Hydrocortisone or Gold Chloride are injected

Intra-Articular Injection
via this route for treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.
 Intra-Arterial:

Here injection is given into the lumen of the desired artery.

Greater concentration of the drug can be attained at the

desired site of action.

Example: Radio-opaque contrast media injected via this Intra-Arterial Injection

route for coronary and cerebral angiography.

Intra-Thecal/Intra-Spinal:
Here, the drug when administered, after diffusing

from the lumbar sac, passes into the subarachnoid

space bypassing the Blood-Brain barrier and Blood-

CSF barrier. Thus higher concentrations of the drug

are seen in the CSF.

Intra-Thecal/Intra-Spinal Injection
Example: Xylocaine injection for providing spinal

anaesthesia.
Conclusion:
 Dosage forms are essential for safe, effective, and convenient
drug delivery.

 Selection of an appropriate dosage form depends on drug

properties, patient factors, and therapeutic goals.

 Different routes of administration influence onset,

bioavailability, and overall efficacy of drugs.

 Understanding these concepts helps in rational prescribing and

improved patient compliance.

 Advances in drug delivery systems continue to enhance

therapeutic outcomes and safety.
THANK YOU