Drug Forms and Classifications

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Questions and Answers

Which administration route is primarily used when the oral route is unsatisfactory?

Intravenous

Rectal (correct)

Urethral

Oral

What is a common reason for using the injection route for drug administration?

The drug is destroyed by gastric acid (correct)

The drug is poorly absorbed in the bloodstream

The drug is more effective orally

The drug is less effective when injected

Which injection route is known for the most rapid onset of action?

Intravenous (correct)

Intradermal

Intramuscular

Subcutaneous

What type of conditions could warrant the use of urethral drug administration?

Local conditions of the urethra and prostate Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is drug administration via injection generally avoided?

When the patient is conscious and able to swallow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a solid form of a drug?

Ointment Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes hard-shelled capsules from soft-shelled capsules?

Hard-shelled capsules are used for dry, powdered drugs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following forms of drug is specifically used for applying medication to the eye?

Collyrium Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about syrups is true?

Syrups are concentrated aqueous solutions of sugar. Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of administering a drug orally?

Convenient Signup and view all the answers

What is an emulsion primarily composed of?

Two immiscible liquids Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drug forms is prepared by boiling a dried plant in water?

Decoction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes of drug administration is classified as 'Parental'?

Intra-articular Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using the oral route for drug administration?

Some drugs may be destroyed by gastric enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary vehicle used in ointments?

Vaseline Signup and view all the answers

Which route of drug administration is most suitable for delivering a local effect such as for asthma treatment?

Respiratory route Signup and view all the answers

What factor does not affect the choice of drug administration route?

Patient's age Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason the oral route might not be appropriate for some patients?

Cannot be used in unconscious patients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding nasal drug administration?

Provides a local effect for rhinitis treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which form of drug administration is indicated for evacuating the intestines?

Suppositories Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of drugs administered through the rectal route?

Purgative effects or treating enteritis Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of subcutaneous injections compared to intramuscular injections?

Longer duration of action Signup and view all the answers

Which route is specifically recommended for very rapid drug absorption when intravenous administration is not possible?

Intraperitoneal Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of intra-cardiac injections?

Emergency treatment for cardiac arrest Signup and view all the answers

Which type of injection is administered directly into the synovial fluid of a joint?

Intra-articular Signup and view all the answers

What potential effect does topical application of a drug have?

Local and potential systemic effects Signup and view all the answers

What type of test is typically administered via intradermal injection?

Allergic reactions testing Signup and view all the answers

What is true regarding the irritancy of subcutaneous injections?

They are generally non-irritant and can be administered without diluting solutions. Signup and view all the answers

Which route involves injecting a local anesthetic in the epidural space?

Epidural Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Forms

Drugs are classified into various forms based on their physical characteristics.
Solid form includes tablets, capsules, suppositories, and pessaries.
- Tablets are compressed medications in different shapes.
- Capsules enclose medications in gelatin containers. Hard-shelled capsules typically contain dry powders; soft-shelled capsules hold liquids or substances dissolved in oil.
- Suppositories are for rectal use, often containing cacao butter.
- Pessaries are for vaginal use, often containing gelatin or theobromine oil.
Semisolid form comprises ointments and oculentum.
- Ointments are semisolid preparations usually containing Vaseline.
- Oculentum (eye ointment) uses lanolin.
Liquid form includes solutions, syrups, decoctions, infusions, emulsions, liniments, collyrium, enemas, and tinctures.
- Solutions dissolve active ingredients in a suitable vehicle for oral use.
- Syrups are concentrated sugar solutions, often sucrose.
- Decoctions are prepared by boiling dried plant material in water for 10 minutes.
- Infusions involve soaking dried plant material in water.
- Emulsions mix immiscible liquids, often using acacia as an emulsifying agent.
- Liniments are liquids or viscous preparations for external use, with anodyne properties (e.g., camphor).
- Collyrium (eye lotion) is a weak watery solution used as an antiseptic.
- Enemas are rectal administrations for constipation treatment.
- Tinctures dissolve non-volatile substances in alcohol (e.g., iodine).
Gaseous form consists of gases and aerosols.
- Gases, such as oxygen, are used medicinally.
- Aerosols contain tiny liquid or solid drug particles dispersed in a gas, often delivered via spray or inhalation.

Routes of Drug Administration

Drug administration can be categorized in several ways including location of absorption.
Body orifices (oral, nasal, respiratory, rectal, vaginal, and urethral).
Parenteral (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intra-cardiac, intra-articular, and epidural).
Topical (local).
Factors influencing the choice of route include
- Drug form
- Physical and chemical properties of the drug
- Required rapidity of response
- Nature and location of the disease.

Oral Route Details

Oral administration, or Per Os (by mouth), is convenient and affordable.
Ideal oral drugs are:
- Palatable
- Non-irritating
- Stable in the intestinal and gastric pH
- Unaffected by digestive juices
- Adequately absorbed

Advantages and Disadvantages of Oral Administration

Advantages: Convenient, Economical, Available in various forms, Generally safe
Disadvantages: Difficult handling, Cannot be used for unconscious patients or in emergencies, Unsuitable for GIT disturbances, Some drugs are inactivated by gastric acidity or enzymes, Some drugs are irritants.

Nasal Route Details

Nasal administration is used for localized effects like treating rhinitis and for vasoconstrictive action.
Drugs are in the form of drops, sprays, or inhaled gases.

Rectal Route Details

Rectal administration (Per Rectum) uses suppositories or enemas.
Local effects include purgative, evacuation of the intestine, and treatment of colitis.
Systemic effects include antibiotics, but absorption is slower than oral absorption.

Urethral Route Details

Urethral administration involves catheter insertion and is used for localized effects on the urethra, prostate, and bladder.

Parenteral Routes Details

Parenteral routes inject drugs directly into the body tissues.
Advantages: Rapid action, Useful for drugs not absorbed orally, Useful for unconscious patients or in emergencies, useful when GIT disturbance is present.
Disadvantages: Inconvenient to administer, Difficult to administer safely to ensure the intended effect, potential for adverse injection sites, risk of infection if not sterile technique used.

Intravenous (IV) Injection

Rapid onset and short duration of action.
Used for emergency situations, administration of large doses, and diluting substances irritating to other tissues.

Intramuscular (IM) Injection

Slower absorption than IV, longer duration of action.
Used for moderate irritants.

Subcutaneous (SC) Injection

Slower absorption than IM.
Used for non-irritant drugs avoiding local damage.

Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection

Very rapid absorption.
Used if IV and other absorption routes are not possible; appropriate for lab animals.

Intra-Cardiac injection

Used in emergency cases requiring rapid action, such as cardiac arrest.

Intra-articular Injection

Injecting drugs directly into synovial fluid (joint capsule), often for joint inflammation conditions.

Epidural Injection

Injecting drugs into the epidural space around the spinal cord.
Used for regional anesthesia.

Topical Administration

Placing drugs on the skin or mucous membranes for localized effects.
Examples: Counterirritants, anti-inflammatory, antiseptics.
Systemic absorption is rare.
Absorption is slower through skin than other body membranes.

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Description

This quiz covers the various classifications of drug forms based on their physical characteristics. It includes the different types of solid, semisolid, and liquid forms along with their specific uses and compositions. Test your knowledge on tablets, capsules, ointments, and more.