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 |
|
Inhalant Solution |
a solution 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 |
|
Nasal Inhaler |
a medication delivered as a mist to be inhaled through the nose as a measured dose |
|
Inhalant 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) |
|
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 Nasal Inhalant & Nasal Inhaler) |
|
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 |
|
Vaginal Spray |
a spray intended to be used in or around the vagina |
| Liquids | |
|
Cream |
a homogenous mixture that contains two liquid phases - usually oil in water or water in oil |
|
Nasal Cream |
a cream intended for use on or in the nasal cavity |
|
Ophthalmic Cream |
a cream intended for use in the eye |
|
Oral Cream |
a cream intended for use on or in the mouth |
|
Otic Cream |
a cream intended for use on or in the ear |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Prefilled Applicator |
a medication in an applicator delivered as a single measured dose |
|
Solution |
a homogenous mixture of one or more solutes completely dissolved in a liquid solvent |
|
Inhalant Solution |
a solution intended to be inhaled |
|
Injectable Solution |
a solution intended to be injected |
|
Intraperitoneal Solution |
a solution intended for use in the peritoneal cavity |
|
Prefilled Syringe (Cartridge, Pen) |
a solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe, cartridge, or pen |
|
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. |
|
Mucus 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. |
|
Topical Solution (Tincture; Liniment) |
a solution intended for use on a surface (do not use for Oral Solutions) |
| Suspension | a nonhomogenous mixture of one or more substances not completely dissolved in a liquid |
|
Injectable Suspension |
a suspension administered by injection |
|
Prefilled Syringe (Cartridge, Pen) |
a solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe, cartridge, or pen |
|
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 |
| 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 |
|
Chewable Bar |
a bar that can be broken down and crushed using the teeth |
|
Beads |
small ball-shaped objects |
|
Cake |
a block of compressed or firm matter |
|
Capsule |
a contained dosage form |
|
Oral Capsule |
a capsule taken by mouth |
|
Enteric Coated Capsule |
a coated capsule to ensure its arrival in the small intestines by preventing the degradation of the dosage form in the stomach by stomach acid |
|
Extended Release Enteric Coated Capsule |
an enteric coated capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Extended Release Capsule |
a capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Extended Release Enteric Coated Capsule |
an enteric coated capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Cement |
a material that holds one or more objects together |
|
Chewing Gum |
an insoluble material that is chewed to release medication |
|
Crystals |
a solid, transparent, and colorless matter formed by a chemical element, compound, or mixture |
|
Disk |
a flat, round, solid shape |
|
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 |
small bits that in large numbers form a larger entity |
|
Drug Implant |
a solid form inserted into the body that releases medication over time |
|
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 Transdermal Patch) |
|
Medicated Tape |
an adhesive tape used to apply medication (see also Transdermal Patch) |
|
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 Strip |
a medicated thin strip that dissolves - intended for oral use |
|
Buccal Film |
a film that adheres to the inner lining of the cheek until dissolved |
|
Paste |
a smooth, viscous mixture of material; semisolid in nature |
|
Oral Paste |
a paste to be taken or used orally |
|
Pudding |
a paste that is often eaten |
|
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 |
|
Transdermal Patch |
an adhesive patch applied to the skin in order to administer a time-released dose of medication (see also Medicated Patch & Medicated Tape) |
|
Pellet |
a small rounded body |
|
Powder |
a loose state of particulate matter |
|
Inhalant Powder (Powdered Dose Inhaler) |
a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled |
|
Oral Powder |
a powder given orally, often sprinkled on or mixed with food. Not for powders mixed with liquids. |
|
Rectal Powder |
a powder intended for use in or around the rectum |
|
Topical Powder |
a powder intended for use on the outside surface of the body |
|
Vaginal Powder |
a powder intended for use in or around the vagina |
|
Suppository |
a solid drug delivery vehicle that melts at normal body temperature |
|
Rectal Suppository |
a suppository intended to be inserted into the rectum |
|
Vaginal Suppository |
a suppository intended to be inserted into the vagina |
|
Urethral Suppository |
a suppository intended to be inserted into the urethra |
|
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 |
|
Disintegrating Tablet |
a tablet dissolved in the mouth to release medication |
|
Enteric Coated Tablet |
a coated tablet to ensure arrival in the small intestines by preventing the degradation of the dosage form in the stomach by stomach acid |
|
Extended Release Enteric Coated Tablet |
an enteric coated tablet with a slowed delivery system that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Extended Release Tablet |
a tablet whose contents are slowly released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Extended Release Enteric Coated Tablet |
an enteric coated tablet with a slowed delivery system that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
|
Sublingual Tablet |
a tablet held under the tongue until dissolved |
|
Vaginal Tablet |
a tablet that contains medicated materials to be inserted vaginally |
|
Vaginal Ring |
a pliable delivery system surrounded by a polymeric membrane that provides controlled drug release to the vagina |
|
Wafer |
a thin, cookie-like, baked form |
Last Reviewed: January 3, 2012