Only forms whose names are given in bold are used. Additional terms for the same form (not necessarily synonymous, and in some cases ambiguous) are listed in parentheses after the term. Some additional hierarchical nodes are given to aid in finding the correct form.
| Forms | Definition & Usage Notes |
|---|---|
| Inhalants & Sprays | |
|
Inhalants |
|
|
Gas for Inhalation |
a gas that can be breathed into the nose or mouth |
|
Inhalation Solution |
a solution intended to be inhaled |
|
Inhalation Spray |
a spray intended to be inhaled |
|
Inhalation Suspension |
a suspension intended to be inhaled |
|
Metered Dose Inhaler |
a liquid medication delivered as a mist to be inhaled as a measured dose |
|
Nasal Inhalant |
a medication intended to be inhaled through the nose |
|
Inhalation Powder (Powdered Dose Inhaler) |
a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled |
|
Dry Powder Inhaler |
a powdered medication inhaled as a measured dose |
|
Spray |
a substance propelled by gas(es) |
|
Inhalation Spray |
a spray intended to be inhaled |
|
Metered Dose Nasal Spray |
a nasal solution intended for use in the nasal cavity delivered by a spray as a measured dose (see also Nasal Spray & Nasal Inhalant) |
|
Mucosal Spray |
a spray intended for use on the mucous membranes |
|
Nasal Spray |
a nasal solution intended for use in the nasal cavity delivered by a spray (see also Metered Dose Nasal Spray & Nasal Inhalant) |
|
Ophthalmic Spray |
a spray intended for use in the eye |
|
Oral Spray |
a spray intended to be applied into the oral cavity |
|
Rectal Spray |
a spray intended to be used in or around the rectum |
|
Topical Spray (Dermal Spray) |
a spray intended for use on the skin |
|
Powder Spray |
a powder delivered on the skin as a spray |
| Liquids | |
|
Cream |
a homogenous mixture that contains two liquid phases - usually oil in water or water in oil |
|
Ophthalmic Cream |
a cream intended for use in the eye |
|
Oral Cream |
a cream intended for use on or in the mouth |
|
Rectal Cream |
a cream intended for use in or around the rectum |
|
Topical Cream |
a cream intended to be used on the skin |
|
Augmented Topical Cream |
a cream with enhanced drug delivery capability |
|
Vaginal Cream |
a cream intended for use in or around the vagina |
|
Foam |
bubbles of gas that are introduced into a liquid |
|
Injectable Foam |
a foam intended to be injected |
|
Oral Foam |
a foam intended to be administered into the mouth |
|
Rectal Foam |
a foam intended for use in the rectum |
|
Topical Foam |
a foam intended for use on the skin |
|
Vaginal Foam |
a foam intended for use in the vagina |
|
Liquid Cleanser |
a liquid containing a detergent (see also Bar Soap) |
|
Medicated Liquid Soap |
a liquid containing a detergent and a medication |
|
Medicated Shampoo |
a medicated liquid soap intended for use on hair |
|
Oil |
a fatty liquid |
|
Topical Oil |
an oil intended to be applied on the skin |
|
Solution |
a homogenous mixture of one or more solutes completely dissolved in a liquid solvent |
|
Inhalation Solution |
a solution intended to be inhaled |
|
Injectable Solution |
a multiple use solution or reconstituted powder intended to be injected |
|
Auto-Injector |
a single use solution or suspension contained in a spring loaded injection system that can be administered by activating the device causing automatic insertion of the needle through the skin |
|
Cartridge |
a single or multiple use solution or a suspension contained in a vessel used with a separate reusable injection system |
|
Injection |
a single use sterile solution, suspension, or reconstituted powder intended for parenteral use |
|
Intraperitoneal Solution |
a solution intended for use in the peritoneal cavity |
|
Jet Injector |
a single use solution or a suspension contained in a needle free injection system |
|
Pen Injector |
a single or multiple use solution or suspension contained in a mechanical injection system used to administer the drug through a needle manually inserted into the skin |
|
Prefilled Syringe |
a single use solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe |
|
Irrigation Solution |
a solution intended for use as a flushing or rinsing agent |
|
Douche |
an irrigation solution intended for use in the vagina |
|
Enema (Rectal Solution; Rectal Suspension) |
an irrigation solution intended to cleanse the bowel or administer diagnostic drugs |
|
Ophthalmic Irrigation Solution |
an irrigation solution intended for use in the eye |
|
Nasal Solution (Nasal Drops; Nose Drops) |
a solution intended for use on the nasal mucosa |
|
Ophthalmic Solution (Ophthalmic Drops; Eye Drops) |
a solution intended for use in the eye |
|
Oral Solution (Oral Drops) |
a solution intended to be taken by mouth. For solutions applied to the teeth, use Mouthwash |
|
Mouthwash (Oral Rinse; Topical Dental Solution) |
an oral solution intended to be used as a rinse or for irrigation. This includes oral solutions that are applied to the teeth |
|
Mucous Membrane Topical Solution |
an oral solution intended for use on the mucous membranes |
|
Otic Solution (Otic Drops; Ear Drops) |
a solution intended for use in the ear |
|
Rectal Solution |
a solution intended for use in the rectum |
|
Topical Solution (Tincture; Liniment) |
a solution intended for use on a surface (do not use for Oral Solutions) |
|
Topical Liquefied Gas |
a gas that is cooled or pressurized to its liquid form and used topically on the skin for cryotherapy or freezing skin lesions |
| Pack | a package that contains multiple drugs, or drugs designed to be administered in a specified sequence |
|
Suspension |
a nonhomogenous mixture of one or more substances not completely dissolved in a liquid |
|
Inhalation Suspension |
a suspension intended to be inhaled |
|
Injectable Suspension |
a multiple use suspension or reconstituted powder intended to be injected |
|
Auto-Injector |
a single use solution or suspension contained in a spring loaded injection system that can be administered by activating the device causing automatic insertion of the needle through the skin |
|
Cartridge |
a single or multiple use solution or a suspension contained in a vessel used with a separate reusable injection system |
|
Injection |
a single use sterile solution, suspension, or reconstituted powder intended for parenteral use |
|
Jet Injector |
a single use solution or a suspension contained in a needle free injection system |
|
Pen Injector |
a single or multiple use solution or suspension contained in a mechanical injection system used to administer the drug through a needle manually inserted into the skin |
|
Prefilled Syringe |
a single use solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe |
|
Intratracheal Suspension |
a suspension intended for use in the trachea |
|
Lotion |
a viscous liquid suspension |
|
Topical Lotion |
a lotion intended for use on the skin |
|
Augmented Topical Lotion |
a lotion with enhanced drug delivery capability |
|
Nasal Suspension (Nasal Drops; Nose Drops) |
a suspension intended for use in the nose |
|
Ophthalmic Suspension (Ophthalmic Drops; Eye Drops) |
a suspension intended for use in the eye |
|
Oral Suspension (Oral Drops) |
a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Extended Release Suspension |
a suspension that allows for a timed or controlled release of the solute |
|
Otic Suspension (Otic Drops; Ear Drops) |
a suspension intended for use in the ear |
|
Topical Suspension |
a suspension intended for external application on the skin |
| Solid | |
|
Bar |
a block of solid material that is longer in length than width |
|
Bar Soap |
a bar intended to be used to cleanse the body |
|
Medicated Bar Soap |
a bar of soap containing medication |
|
Capsule |
a contained dosage form filled with solid or liquid ingredients that can be poured or squeezed |
|
Oral Capsule |
a capsule taken by mouth |
|
Delayed Release Oral Capsule |
a solid dosage form in which the drug is enclosed within either a hard or soft soluble container made from a suitable form of gelatin, and which releases a drug (or drugs) at a time other than promptly after oral administration (enteric-coated particles are delayed release dosage forms) |
|
Extended Release Oral Capsule |
a capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Chewing Gum |
an insoluble material that is chewed to release medication |
|
Oral Flakes |
a collection of small, flat, thin, pieces of matter |
|
Gel (Jelly) |
fine particles dispersed in a medium resulting in a solid substance |
|
Nasal Gel (Nasal Jelly) |
a gel intended for use on or in the nasal cavity |
|
Oral Gel (Oral Jelly) |
a gel intended for use on or in the oral cavity |
|
Ophthalmic Gel (Ophthalmic Jelly) |
a gel intended for use on or in the eye |
|
Rectal Gel (Rectal Jelly) |
a gel intended for use in or around the rectum |
|
Topical Gel (Topical Jelly) |
a gel intended for use on the skin |
|
Augmented Topical Gel |
a gel with enhanced drug delivery capability |
|
Urethral Gel (Urethral Jelly) |
a gel intended for use in the urethra |
|
Vaginal Gel (Vaginal Jelly) |
a gel intended for use in or around the vagina |
|
Granules |
numerous particles forming a larger unit |
|
Delayed Release Oral Granules |
granules intended to be taken by mouth which releases a drug (or drugs) at a time other than promptly after oral administration (enteric-coated articles are delayed release dosage forms) |
|
Granules for Oral Solution |
granules to be reconstituted with solvent just before dispensing to form a solution intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Granules for Oral Suspension |
granules to be reconstituted with diluent prior to administration to form a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Oral Granules |
granules intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Drug-Eluting Contact Lens |
a contact lens intended for use in the eye that releases a medication |
|
Drug Implant |
a solid form inserted into the body that releases medication over time |
|
Intrauterine System |
a drug delivery system inserted and left in the uterus to provide uniform release of drugs over several years |
|
Oral Lozenge (Oral Troche) |
a solid mass intended to be held in the mouth to allow for slow dissolution |
|
Medicated Pad (Medicated Swab) |
a non-adhesive patch used to apply medication (see also Medicated Patch and Transdermal System) |
|
Medicated Tape |
an adhesive tape used to apply medication (see also Medicated Patch and Transdermal System) |
|
Ointment |
a viscous occlusive mixture |
|
Nasal Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the nose |
|
Ophthalmic Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the eye |
|
Oral Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the mouth |
|
Otic Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the ear |
|
Rectal Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the rectum |
|
Topical Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the skin |
|
Augmented Topical Ointment |
an ointment with enhanced drug delivery capability |
|
Vaginal Ointment |
a ointment intended for use on or in the vagina |
|
Oral Film |
a thin sheet placed in the oral cavity and contains one or more layers |
|
Buccal Film |
a thin sheet placed on the inner lining of the cheek until dissolved and contains one or more layers |
|
Sublingual Film |
a thin sheet placed under the tongue until dissolved and contains one or more layers |
|
Paste |
a smooth, viscous mixture of material; semisolid in nature |
|
Oral Paste |
a paste to be taken or used orally |
|
Toothpaste |
a paste intended to be used in cleaning teeth |
|
Patch |
a type of material that can be used to cover or repair an affected area |
|
Medicated Patch |
an adhesive patch that delivers medication locally to the area beneath the patch (see also Transdermal System and Medicated Tape) |
|
Transdermal System |
an adhesive patch that delivers medication at a set rate systemically over a defined period of time (see also Medicated Patch) |
|
Oral Pellet |
a small rounded body |
|
Oral Wafer |
a thin, cookie-like, baked form |
|
Powder |
a loose state of particulate matter |
|
Inhalation Powder (Powdered Dose Inhaler) |
a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled |
|
Nasal Powder |
a powder intended for use in the nasal cavity |
|
Oral Powder |
a powder given orally, often sprinkled on or mixed with food. Not for powders mixed with liquids |
|
Powder for Nasal Solution |
a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended for use on the nasal mucosa |
|
Powder for Oral Solution |
a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Powder for Oral Suspension |
a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Powder for Pyelocalyceal Solution |
a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended to be administered via the renal pelvis and calices |
|
Sublingual Powder |
a powder intended for use under the tongue |
|
Topical Powder |
a powder intended for use on the outside surface of the body |
|
Sponge |
a solid composed of a porous, interlacing, absorbent, usually shape-retaining material containing a medication, intended for temporary insertion into a body cavity |
|
Vaginal Sponge |
a disposable sponge saturated with a medication to be placed in the vagina, covering the cervix |
|
Suppository |
a solid drug delivery vehicle that melts at normal body temperature |
|
Rectal Suppository |
a suppository intended to be inserted into the rectum |
|
Urethral Suppository |
a suppository intended to be inserted into the urethra |
|
Vaginal Insert |
a solid form (tablet, capsule, or suppository) intended to be inserted into the vagina |
|
Tablet |
a solid, compressed dosage form |
|
Oral Tablet (Caplet) |
a tablet containing medicated materials to be taken by mouth |
|
Buccal Tablet |
a tablet held in the hollow pockets of the cheek until dissolved |
|
Sustained Release Buccal Tablet |
a tablet held in the hollow pockets of the cheek while the slowed delivery system allows the drug to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Chewable Tablet |
a tablet taken by mouth and crushed into smaller pieces before swallowing |
|
Chewable Extended Release Oral Tablet |
a tablet taken by mouth and crushed into smaller pieces before swallowing whose contents are slowly released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Delayed Release Oral Tablet |
a solid dosage form which releases a drug (or drugs) at a time other than promptly after oral administration (enteric-coated particles are delayed release dosage forms) |
|
Disintegrating Oral Tablet |
a tablet dissolved in the mouth to release medication |
|
Effervescent Oral Tablet |
a solid dosage form containing mixtures of acids (e.g., citric acid, tartaric acid) and sodium bicarbonate, which release carbon dioxide when dissolved in water; it is intended to be dissolved or dispersed in water before oral administration |
|
Extended Release Oral Tablet |
a tablet whose contents are slowly released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Sublingual Tablet |
a tablet held under the tongue until dissolved |
|
Tablet for Oral Suspension |
a tablet to be reconstituted with diluent prior to administration to form a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
|
Vaginal Film |
a thin sheet placed on the inner lining of the vagina until dissolved and contains one or more layers |
|
Vaginal Insert |
a solid form (tablet, capsule, or suppository) intended to be inserted into the vagina |
|
Vaginal System |
a pliable delivery system surrounded by a polymeric membrane that provides controlled drug release to the vagina |
Last Reviewed: June 15, 2023