DOSAGE FORMS AND ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION

Introduction to routes of administration: Drug substances are rarely

administered in their natural or pure state. They are usually administered
in combination with one or more nonrnedicinal agents that serve different
and specialized pharmaceutical functions. The selective use of these
nonrnedicinal agents, called as pharmaceutical ingredients
(components /parts), helps, adjuncts (supports), or necessities different
pharmaceutical preparations. The pharmaceutical ingredients are used to
solubilize (dissolve), suspend, thicken (harden), dilute, emulsify, stabilize,
and preserve the pharmaceutical preparations. Some pharmaceutical
ingredients are also used as coloring agents and flavoring agents
(flavoring agents are used to hide or mask the bitter test of drugs). Every
intention to use pharmaceutical ingredients is to improve the quality
(efficacy) and also to make the pharmaceutical preparations attractive for
the consumer (user). The pharmaceutical preparations with particular
characteristics presented (given) to the patients are called as dosage forms.

[Pharmaceutics: The general area of study related with the physical, chemical
and biological factors influencing the formulation, manufacturing, stability and
effectiveness of pharmaceutical dosage forms is called as pharmaceutics].

Importance or need for dosage form: Most of the drugs are highly
biologically active and hence exact dosage (quantity) of every drug is to
be administered. Further, age of patients, condition of patients, general
liking (choice) of patients, site of application etc. are different factors that
made the pharmacists to design (plan to prepare) dosage forms. The
importance or need to prepare dosage forms may be summarized as
follows-
1) To provide safe and convenient administration of drug substance in
accurate dosage (quantity).
2) For protection of drug substances from destructive influence of
atmospheric oxygen and moisture (e.g. coated tablets, sealed
ampules etc.).
3) For protection of drug substances from destructive influence of
 gastric acid after oral administration (e.g. enteric coated tablets).
4) To conceal (hide or mask) the bitter, salty, or obnoxious (hateful)
taste or (smell) of a drug substance (e.g. capsules, coated tablets,
flavored syrups etc.).
5) To provide liquid preparations of substances that are insoluble or
unstable in the desired vehicle (medium), (e.g. suspensions).
6) To provide liquid dosage forms of substances that are soluble in the
desired vehicle (medium), (e.g. solutions).
7) To provide extended drug action through controlled release
mechanism (e.g. various controlled release tablets, capsules
andsuspensions).
8) To provide optimal drug action from topical administration sites
(e.g. ointments, creams, ophthalmic (related to eye), ear and nasal
preparations).
9) To provide for the insertion of a drug substance into one of the
body's orifices (opening/ aperture/ outlet) (e.g. rectal or
vaginal suppositories).
10) To provide for the placement of drugs within body tissue
(e.g.injections).
11) To provide optimal drug action through inhalation therapy
[e.g.inhalants (vicks) and inhalation aerosols (used by
asthmatic patients).

Routes of administration: There are different routes of

administration, (i.e. The route by which the drug is placed
(regulated/given or taken).
The list term (name/designation) and the site of routes of
administration of drugs are given as :-
 S. No. Term Site
1) Oral Mouth

2) Per-oral Gastro intestinal tract (via mouth)

3) Sublingual Under the tongue
4) Parenteral Other than gastro intestinal tract (by
injection)
4) a) Intramuscular Muscle
4) b) Intravenous Vein
4) c) Intraarterial Artery
4) d) Intracardiac Heart
4) e) Intra synovial Joint-fluid area
4) f) Intraatrticular Joints
4) g) Intracutaneous or Skin
intradermal
4) h) Subcutaneous Beneath the skin
5) Epicutaneous Skin surface
(topical)
6) Conjunctival Conjunctiva
7) Intraocular Eye
8) Intranasal Nose
9) Aural Ear
10) Intrarespiratory Lung
11) Rectal Rectum
12) Vaginal Vagina
13) Urethra! Urethra

Variety of Dosage Forms: There are different forms into which a drug
may be placed (regulated/given or taken) for convenient and effective
treatment of disease. Drugs can be prepared for administration by very
conceivable (convincing) route and the suitable preparation is formulated
to insure maximum therapeutic (curative) response. These may be
tablets, capsules, solutions, syrups, elixirs, suspensions, gels, powders,
troches or lozenge, ointments, creams, pastes, aerosol, lotions, sprays,
inhalants, emulsions and suppositories. The preferred dosage forms in
different routes of administration is listed as:-
S. Term Site
No. Tablets
Capsules
Solutions
Syrups
1) Oral
Elixers
Suspensions
Gels
Powders
Tablets
2) Sublingual
Troches or
Lozenge
Solutions
3) Parenteral
and
Suspensions
Solutions
Suspensions
Gels
Powders
4) Epicutaneous Ointments
(topical) Creams
Pastes
Aerosol
Lotions
Sprays
5) Ointments and
Conjunctival Solutions
Intraocular/Intraaural Solutions and
6)
Suspensions
Solutions
Ointments
7) Intranasal
Aerosol
Sprays
Inhalents
8) Intrarespiratory Aerosol
Solutions,
9) Rectal
Ointments and
Suppositories
Vaginal Tablets
Solutions
10)
Ointments
Emulsions and
Suppositories
11) Urethra! Solutions and
Suppositories
Advantages and Disadvantages of oral rout of administration: Drugs are usually
taken by oral route of administration. The Advantages and disadvantage
of oral route of administration are discussed below
Advantages of oral route of administration:
1) It is most natural route of administration.
2) It is most easy route for administration of drug for patients.
3) It is safest route of administration.
4) It is most convenient for patients.
5) This route can take large variety of dosage forms.
6) Nursing for administration is not required.
7) An allergic reaction of the drug (toxicity) is delayed and hence safe.
8) It is economical to the patients.

Disadvantages of oral route of administration:

1) The onset of action of drug is late and hence recovery is not fast.
Therefore oral route of administration not preferred in emergency.
2) As it is absorbed from gastrointestinal tract the quantity of doses of
drug required is more.
3) It is difficult route of administration of drug for non-
cooperative patients like babies and children.
4) It is also difficult route of administration of drug for unconscious
patients.
5) The absorption of drug from gastrointestinal tract is not assured by
patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorder.
6) Oral route of administration may cause gastrointestinal disorders
like acidity, loss of appetite, etc.
7) The uncertainty of maintenance of the prescribed dosage of
drug is possible in oral route of administration.
8) Drug may be destroyed or inactivated by the
enzyme in gastrointestinal tract.

Advantages and Disadvantages of parenteral rout of administration: Taken by

parenteral route of administration, The Advantages and Disadvantages
of parenteral rout of administration are discussed below-
Advantages of parenteral route of administration:
1) The onset of action of drug is fast and hence recovery is fast.
Therefore parenteral route of administration preferred in
emergency.
2) As it is administered directly on the site or nearer to the site, the
quantity of doses of drug required is less.
3) It is easy route of administration of drug for those patients like
babies and children who normally resist to oral route of
administration.
4) It is the only possible route of administration of drug for unconscious
patients.
5) The absorption of drug from gastrointestinal tract is not assured by
patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorder and hence
parenteral route of administration is preferred.
6) Parenteral route of administration is preferred for those suffering
from gastrointestinal disorders like acidity, loss of appetite, etc.
7) The certainty of maintenance of the prescribed dosage of drug is
possible in parenteral! route of administration.
8) There is no chance of drug getting destroyed or inactivated as
by the enzyme in gastrointestinal tract.
Disadvantages of parenteral route of administration:
1) It is not natural route of administration.
2) It is riot easy route for administration of drug for patients and self-
administration is not possible.
3) It is painful route of administration.
4) Preparation of dosage form for parenteral route of administration
requires highly sophisticated instrumentation and condition.
5) The verity of dosage form by which the drugs, an be taken by this
route is restricted and are in liquids, solutions and suspensions
form.
6) Nursing for administration is required.
7) An allergic reaction of the drug (toxicity) is fast and hence is not
safe.
8) It is not economical to the patients.