Different Types of Medication
Although there are different types of medications (capsule, cream, ear drop, eye drop, gel, inhaler [mouth/nose], injection, liquid, lotion, ointment, suppository, and tablet), the most common are capsule, eye drop, inhaler, solution, ointment, and tablet.
Tablets
The tablet is solid dose form produced by compression and contains one or more active ingredients. They contain diluents, binders (which binds materials in the tablet, lubricating agents (to give tablet a sheen), disintegrants (to help break up ingredients), and solubilizers (to maintain coloring and coating). Tablets also contain flavoring. Coatings are used to improve appearance, flavor, ease swallowing, and provide for controlled release of medication.
Capsules
The capsule is a solid dose form consisting of a gelatin shell that encloses the drug, The capsule is meant to be swallowed whole, and is often preferred because they are tasteless and often easier to swallow than tablets. Capsules contain powders, granules, liquids, or combinations of active ingredients. Capsules are designed in a controlled-release dose form to deliver a drug over a particular period of time or site.
Suppositories
Suppositories are solid dose forms designed for insertion into body orifices such as the rectum or vagina. Suppositories are preferred over the dose form in cases like severe nausea and vomiting. They are often used for people who cannot take oral medications. Suppositories are also useful for infants or young children who have trouble taking medicines.
Liquid
The liquid dose forms consist of one or more active ingredients. They are meant for oral consumption and have several advantages over solid dose forms, including ease of swallowing and of adjusting the dose. Liquid doses are often flavored but are often less stable than their solid counterparts. There are
different types of liquid dosage forms such as solution, suspension, emulsion,
elixir, etc.
Creams, Lotions, Ointments, and Gels
Creams are dispersions meant for topical application. They are easily absorbed and can cover large areas of skin. They vanish after being applied and are often scented. Lotions, similar to creams cover large areas of skin and are usually used to soothe the skin. Ointments are sticky and leave areas feeling greasy. They are good for extremely dry areas where moisture needs to be retained or areas prone to friction from clothing or body parts. Ointments generally have a longer contact time with the skin and longer duration of action, Gels are designed to apply evenly and leave a dry coat of medication in contact with the area. All of them
are used externally on the skin.
Ear and Eye Drops
Unlike eye medications, ear medications don’t have to be sterile. They come in three forms as ear drop, ear ointment, and ear suspension. Usually the number of ear drops used is more than the number of eye drops used. Ear medications also come in small quantity like the eye medications.
Inhalation
Inhalation is a medication that designed to enter the breathing passage. Some of them are used into the nostrils and some are used with the mouth. These medications are used to help patient breath or treat problems related to breathing. A spacer device may be required to be used with inhalation to deliver the correct amount of medication especially in young children.