DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, LOKOJA,

KOGI STATE.

SEMINAR PRESENTATION
BY
PHARM. CHIDOM ONYEDIKACHI ANTHONY
(B.PHARM)
CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF DRUG
DOSAGE FORMS

SUPERVISED BY
PHARM.VICTOR SUMANU (B.PHARM)
 OUTLINE
 Introduction(what are drugs?)
 What is a drug dosage forms
 What are excipients
 Characteristics of an ideal drug dosage form
 Classification of drug dosage forms
 The need for drug dosage forms
 Relevance of drug dosage forms in pediatric and geriatric patients
 Relevance of drug dosage forms in accidents and emergencies
 Relevance of drug dosage forms in surgical procedures
 Conclusion
 References
INTRODUCTION

WHAT ARE DRUGS ?

 Drugs are substances other than nutrients or essential dietary ingredients, which
when administered to a living organism, influences biological functions.
 It is a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of
disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being.
WHAT IS A DRUG DOSAGE FORM?

 A drug dosage form (DDF) is a pharmaceutical preparation or formulation in

which a specific mixture of drug substances (active pharmaceutical ingredients)
and inactive components (excipients) are presented in a particular configuration
to facilitate easy and accurate administration and delivery of active drug
substances.
 It describes the physical form of a chemical compound used as a drug or
medication intended for administration or consumption.
WHAT ARE PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENTS ?

 Pharmaceutical excipients are substances that are included in a pharmaceutical

dosage form not for their direct therapeutic action, but to aid the manufacturing
process, to protect, support or enhance stability, or for bioavailability or patient
acceptability.
 Examples of excipients are coatings, binders, coloring, sweeteners, preservatives
etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IDEAL DRUG DOSAGE FORM

 It should be safe and simple to administer

 It should be economical for the patient
 It should be physically and chemically stable in environmental conditions
 It should be easy to reproduce and formulate
 It should maintain its therapeutic activity throughout the shelf life
 It should provide high patient compliance
 It should be easy to handle for all kind of patients
 It should be biocompatible
CLASSIFICATION OF DRUG DOSAGE FORMS

ROUTE OF
PHYSICAL FORM
ADMINISTRATION

 Solid  Oral
 Semisolid  Topical
 Liquid  Rectal
 Gaseous  Parenteral
 Inhalational
 Vaginal
 Ophthalmic
 Otic
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON ROUTE/ METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

A. ORAL DOSAGE FORMS

 Oral dosage forms comprise pharmaceutical formulations taken orally for systemic effects. They are
absorbed through the various epithelia and mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract at varying rates with the
exception of drugs that are absorbed in the buccal cavity.
 Examples include tablets, capsules, suspensions, lozenges, pills, granules, powders, emulsions etc.
 TABLET CAPSULE PILL LOZENGE

SUSPENSION EMULSION POWDER GRANULE

 B. TOPICAL DOSAGE FORMS
 These include drug molecules that are in a suitable solid base (e.g., powders and aerosols), semi-
solid base (e.g. ointments, creams and, gels), or in liquid form (e.g., solutions).
 These drugs are applied to the skin or other topical surfaces (such as the eye, ear and nose)
mainly for local action.
 Systemic drug delivery can also be achieved using topical preparations (e.g., transdermal patches)
 OINTMENT GEL
POWDER AEROSOL

PATCH PATCH
CREAM SOLUTION
C. RECTAL DOSAGE FORMS
 These are solutions, suppositories or emulsions administered rectally for local rather than systemic
effect.
 These formulations can also be used to deliver drugs that are inactivated by gastrointestinal fluids
when administered orally or when the oral route of the patient is precluded.
RECTAL SOLUTION

RECTAL SUPPOSITORY
D. PARENTERAL DOSAGE FORMS
 These are usually sterile, particulate free and non-pyrogenic solutions or suspensions (of drugs in
water or other suitable physiological acceptable vehicles) that are injected into the body using
syringe and needle or infusion set etc.
 The various types are intra muscular, intravenous and subcutaneous injections.
 SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION INSULIN SYRINGE
INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION

INTRAVENOUS INJECTION
E. RESPIRATORY/INHALED DOSAGE FORMS
 This is a type of dosage form where drugs are delivered in gaseous, aerosol mist or ultrafine solid
particle form into the lungs.
 This classes of dosage form is mainly for direct treatment and management of respiratory diseases.
Examples include nebulizers, and pressurized metered dose aerosols.
 NEBULIZER

PRESSURIZED METERED DOSE AEROSOL

F. VAGINAL DOSAGE FORMS
 These are dosage forms that are intended to be used in the vaginal cavity for either contraception,
induction of labour, treatment of vaginal infections or menopausal symptoms.
 Commonly used vaginal dosage forms include creams, tablets, vaginal gels and pessaries,
suppositories, foams, ointments, tampons and inserts. Others include vaginal rings, vaginal films etc.
VAGINAL CREAM INTRA UTERINE DEVICE
VAGINAL PESSARY

VAGINAL RING TAMPON

VAGINAL FILM
G. OPHTHALMIC DOSAGE FORMS
 These are principally sterile solutions, ointments and suspensions, essentially free from particles or
substances that might irritate the eye.
 They are meant to be gently applied to the eyelids or placed in the pocket between the eyelids and the
eyeball.
 Ophthalmic dosage forms are commonly used to treat local ocular disorders, e.g. infection and
inflammation; or intraocular disorders e.g. glaucoma.
 EYE OINTMENT
EYE DROP
H. NASAL DOSAGE FORM
 Nasal formulations are aqueous-based systems that are instilled within or sprayed into the nasal cavity
from a dropper or from a plastic squeeze bottle.
 They are predominantly employed for the treatment of local disorders – infections, congestion, and
allergic rhinitis.
NASAL DROP NASAL INHALER NASAL SPRAY
I. OTIC DOSAGE FORMS
 These are aqueous solutions prepared with glycerin or other solvents and dispersing agents that are
instilled into the ear canal for the treatment of local disorders.
EAR DROP
THE NEED FOR DRUG DOSAGE FORMS

A. PROTECTION
 To protect API from external environment e.g. Coated tablets and sealed
ampoules.
 To protect the drug molecules from the destructive influence of gastric juice
following oral administration of the dosage form e.g., enteric-coated tablets.

B. TO IMPROVE THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY

 To achieve rapid onset of action following drug delivery e.g., parenteral dosage
forms, inhalational/ respiratory dosage forms.
 To provide drug products that bypass the first pass metabolism e.g., injections,
topical dosage forms etc.
 To provide drugs with predetermined rate and prolonged therapeutic effect over
an extended period of time e.g., modified-release tablets, capsules and
suspensions.

C. TO IMPROVE PATIENT COMPLIANCE

 To mask the undesirable taste or offensive odor of a drug substance
e.g., capsules, taste masked suspensions, film coated tablets, etc.
 Reduction in frequency of dosing e.g. Sustained release/ controlled release
tablets.
RELEVANCE OF DRUG DOSAGE FORMS IN PEDIATRIC AND
GERIATRIC PATIENTS

 In the general population, solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules are
preferred for the oral administration of drugs. This is because of their
convenience and ease of administration.
 However solid dosage forms are often difficult or impossible for the pediatric,
geriatric or infirm patients to swallow
 Thus, Liquid DDFs are preferred, such as oral solutions, syrups, suspensions and
oral drops.
 Liquid forms may be administered by oral feeding tube.
For patients unable or unwilling to swallow whole tablets :
 An oral liquid form can be compounded, when the liquid counterpart is
unavailable.
 Chewable tablets and effervescent tablets can also be used
 Tablet splitting or crushing can also be employed

For systemic effects:

 Injections may be used rather than the oral route when needed.
 Many geriatric patients have issues with drug adherence/compliance.
 There are some dosage forms that can improve adherence to treatment with medications
by reducing side effects and simplifying dosing regimen e.g.
 Sustained release formulation (avoid need to take drug too frequently) e.g. insulin
injection
 Transdermal patches (avoid dependence on memory)e.g. fentanyl, Nicotine, Estrogen,
clonidine and testosterone.
 Melting tablets, buccal tablets and sublingual tablets can be administered without waiting
for water availability.
 Chewable tablets are easier to swallow.
 Fixed dose combination save money, simplified therapy enhances adherence and reduces
pill burden.
 Improved adherence can provide clinical and economic value by improving treatment
outcomes and reducing the use of medical services
RELEVANCE OF DRUG DOSAGE FORMS IN ACCIDENTS AND
EMERGENCIES

 Accidents and emergencies are cases that require urgent medical attention.
 Dosage forms used here include; parenteral, inhalational and topical.
 These dosage forms have high bioavailability, rapid/immediate onset of action, and can
bypass first pass metabolism by the liver.
 These dosage forms are well suited for patients who are unconscious, in severe pains,
vomiting, and those who are unresponsive.
 Other drug dosage forms like oral are only employed after the patient has been stabilized.
RELEVANCE OF DRUG DOSAGE FORMS IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES

 All surgical procedures requires the patient to be anaesthetized

 Injectable and inhalational anesthetics are the only types used for surgeries.
 Other drugs used during surgery e.g. analgesics, antibiotics, anxiolytics etc. come in
parenteral forms.
 Thus, only parenteral and inhalational dosage forms are used. This is because they have
immediate onset of action and very high bioavailability.
 Other dosage forms like oral, topical and rectal (suppositories) are use as pre or post surgical
medication.
CONCLUSION

 Dosage forms comprise of the active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as excipients

 There are different types of dosage forms; each with it's own advantages and uniqueness
 Clinical relevance of PDF includes; improved adherence, decreased side effects,
consideration for special populations like pediatrics and geriatrics, provision for surgical
procedures to be carried out successfully and the protection of the drugs to improve
bioavailability and ensure maximum therapeutic effects.
REFERENCES

 Allen, L and Ansel, H (2014). Ansel’s Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems. Philadephia:
Lippincott Williams and Wlkins.
 Aulton, M. E and Taylor, K. (2013). Aulton’s Pharmaceutics: The Design and Manufacture of Medicines, (4th ed.).
Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
 http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/features/exploring-the-unconventional-routes-rectal-
and-vaginal-dosage-formulations/11105745.article
 Jackson, W. A. (2005). ‘From electuaries to enteric coating: A brief history of dosage forms. In Anderson, S. (Ed.),
Making Medicines: A brief history of pharmacy and pharmaceuticals, London: Pharmaceutical Press.
 Jones, D. (2008). Fasttrack Pharmaceutics: Dosage Form and Design of Drugs. London, UK: Pharmaceutical Press.
 Krupadanam, D. G., Prasad, D. V., Rao, K. V., Reddy, K. L. and Sudhakar, C. (2001). Drugs. India: Universities
Press (India) limited.
 Narkhede K. (2015). A Brief Review on Nano-pharmaceutical Technology. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and
Bioscientific Research, 5(5), 520-528.
THANK YOU!