Chapter 4Medication 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

SuspensionLiquid form of medication

that must be shaken well before administration

because the drug particles settle at the bottom of the bottle

Emulsion

Liquid drug preparation that contains oils and

fats in water

Elixir, fluid extract

Liquid drug forms with alcohol base

Syrup

Sweetened, flavored liquid drug form

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

Enema solutuion

Drug suspended in solution to be

administered as an enema

Injectable

Solution

Drugs suspended in a sterile vehicle

Powder

Dry particles of drugs to be mixed with a sterile

diluting solution

Intravenous

Injected directly into a vein (immediate

absorption)

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.

intracardiac

Injected directly into the heart

intraspinalInjected 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

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 patchSkin 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 CreamsMedicated 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 solutionSterile solution, often as an antiseptic such as povidone iodine solution and sterile water, used to irrigate the vaginal

canal.

Buccal tablet

Tablet that is absorbed via the buccal mucosa

in the mouth

Sublingual tablet

Tablet that is absorbed via the mucosa under

the tongue

Inhalable

Spray or MistLiquid 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