The need or Importance for Pharmaceutical dosage forms

Pharmaceutical or drug dosage form is a combination of an active ingredient with suitable excipients. Active ingredients are the main drug or pro-drug while other substances added are excipients. Dosage forms are pharmaceutical drug products in the form in which they are marketed for use. A particular dosage form has a specific mixture of active and inactive substance (excipients). The route of administration of a drug is dependent on its dosage form. A pharmaceutical dosage form is the entity that it is administered to the patient so that they receive a safe and effective dose of the drug.

Importance of Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

1. To protect the drug substance from the destructive influences of atmospheric oxygen or humidity (coated tablets).
2. To protect the drug substance from the destructive influence of gastric acid after oral administration (enteric-coated).
3. To conceal the bitter, salty or offensive taste or odor of a drug substance (capsules, flavored syrups).
4. To provide liquid preparations of substances that are either insoluble or unstable in the desired vehicle (suspension).
5. To provide clear liquid dosage forms of substances (syrups, solutions)
6. To provide rate-controlled drug action (controlled-release tablets).
7. To provide optimal drug action from topical administration sites (ointments, creams, transdermal patches).
8. To provide for insertion of a drug into one of the body’s orifices (suppositories).
9. To provide placement of drugs directly in the bloodstream or body tissues (injections).
10. To provide for optimal drug action through inhalation therapy (inhalants, inhalation aerosols).

References

• Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms. PharmaBiro