LO3

Definition
Drug
Drug means any substances that is:
Recognized in the pharmacopeia
Used for diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of
disease in human or animal.
Affect the structure or function of human or animal

and also substances of natural or synthetic origin having

therapeutic or medicinal properties and chiefly used as
medicines or ingredients in the medicine.
Drugs are either official or unofficial.
An official drug is one which is listed and
described in a book recognized by the
government as the legal authority for standards
"Pharmacopoeia"
Unofficial drug are substances that have been
recognized in either official pharmacopeias or
National Formulary but are not presently found
in the current issues.
Nonofficial drugs are substances that have never
been appeared in either books.
 Origin of drugs

• There are two origins for each drug; the natural or

biological, as well as,
Plant ( botanical origin)
Animal (Zoological origin)
 Classification of Drugs

 A method of classification should be

 Simple
 Easy to use
 Free from confusion and ambiguities.
 Because of their wide distribution, each arrangement
of classification has its own merits and demerits.
 For the purpose of study the drugs are classified in the
following different ways:
• Alphabetical classification
• Morphological classification
• Taxonomic classification
• Pharmacological classification
• Chemical classification
• Chemo taxonomical classification
A. Alphabetical Classification
Alphabetical classification is the simplest way of
classification of any disconnected items.
B. Morphological Classification
 Drugs are arranged according to the morphological or external
characters of the plant parts or animal parts .
C. Taxonomical Classification
• Taxonomical classification is purely a botanical classification and
is based on principles of natural relationship and evolutionary
developments.
D. Pharmacological Classification
 Grouping of drug according to their pharmacological action /of most
important constituent /their therapeutic use
 More relevant and is mostly followed method.

EXAMPLE
 Anti- biotic
 Ant –inflammatory
 Anti- cancer
 Anti-helmnithics
 CVS Drug
 Respiratory drug
Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms
Definition: Dosage forms are the means(or the
form)by which drug molecules are delivered to sites
of action with in the body.
The need for dosage forms:
1-Accurate dose.
2-Protection e.g. coated tablets, sealed ampules.
3-Protection from gastric juice.
4-Masking taste and odour.
 Con…
5-Placement of drugs within body tissues.
6-Sustained release medication.
7-Controlled release medication.
8-Optimal drug action.
9-Insertion of drugs into body cavities (rectal,
vaginal)
10-Use of desired vehicle for insoluble drugs
 Con….
 Dosage forms are different preparations of a drug
which help to facilitate drug administration & delivery

 An ideal dosage form should:

– Deliver the right amount of the drug to the right site
– Minimize drug exposure to unwanted sites
– Associated with minimal discomfort or
inconvenience
– Be economical & need lesser expertise knowledge

 But there is no such ideal dosage form

• Classification Based on
• Physical state
• Route of Administration
• Site of Application
• Uses
 Based on Physical state

Solid dosage forms …unit solid ,tablet, capsules

Bulk dosage ,powder
Liquid dosage forms ….syrup ,solution,
suspension ,emulsion
Semi solid dosage forms …. Cream ,paste ,Gel
Gas dosage forms …. Inhaler,
 Based on Route of administration

1. Oral
 Powder
Tablets
Capsules
 Solutions
2. Parenteral
 Solutions
 Suspensions
 Emulsions
3.Rectal 4.
Suppositories
 Enemas
 Ointments

5. Sublingual
 Tablets
 Lozenges
7. Trans dermal
 Ointments
 Creams
 Powders
 Pastes
• Site of Application
1.Skin-Ointments, creams, lotions, liniments
2.Eye-Solutions, ointments, creams
3.Tooth-Tooth powder, tooth paste
4.Hand-Hand creams, lotions, hand washings
5.Foot-Creams, ointments, dusting powders
6.Hair-Hair cream, hair lotions, shampoos,
hair fixing
7.Nasal-Solutions, sprays, inhalations
 based on Uses

1.Internal –all preparations except external

2.External –Ointments, lotions, creams,
powders, solutions, liniments, paste, hair dyes,
hair colorants
Oral Dosage Forms (oral formulations)
Tablets
Coated tablets: sugar-coated to mask bad taste
Enteric coated tablets: dissolve only in intestine
Capsules
Hard gelatin capsules: (contain powder)
Soft gelatin capsules: (contain liquid)
Syrup (e.g. Cough syrups)
Suspension (mixture of solid in liquids e.g.
antibiotics).
Parenteral administration
Intradermal (I.D.) (into skin)
Subcutaneous (S.C.) (under skin)
Intramuscular (I.M.) (into muscles)
Intravenous (I.V.) (into veins)
Intra-arterial (I.A.) (into arteries)
Intrathecal (I.T.) (cerebrospinal fluids )
Intraperitoneal (I.P.) (peritoneal cavity)
Intra - articular (Synovial fluids)
Topical application
• Drugs are mainly applied topically to produce
local effects. They are applied to
Skin (percutaneous) e.g. allergy test, topical
antibacterial and steroids and local anesthetics.
Mucous membrane of respiratory tract (Inhalation)
e.g. asthma
Eye drops e.g. conjunctivitis
Ear drops e.g. otitis external
Intranasal e.g. decongestant nasal spray
A tablet is a hard, compressed medication in round,
oval or square shape. Solid dosage form containing
unit dose of one or more medicament.

A capsule is a medication in a gelatin container. –

solid dosage form

-Advantage : mask the unpleasant taste of its

contents.

-The two main types of capsules are:

 Con…

1-Hard- shelled capsules, which are normally

used for dry, powdered ingredients,

E.g. Amoxicillin, tetracycline capsules .

2-Soft-shelled capsules ,primarily used for oil

sand for active ingredients that are dissolved or
suspended in oil. E.g. Vitamin A & E capsules.
 Solid dosage forms
 Exist as solids

 Exist in different

forms/preparations

1. Tablets
 Are most common

 Written as tab or tabs on

prescriptions

 Several kinds of tablets are

available
A coating may be applied to:
1. Hide the taste of the tablet's components.
2. Make the tablet smoother and easier to
swallow .
3. Make it more resistant to the environment.
4. Extending its shelf life
 Buccal and sublingual tablet:

 Sublingual and buccal medications are administered by

placing them in the mouth

 Either under the tongue (sublingual) or

 Between the gum and the cheek (buccal).

 The medications……….

 Dissolve rapidly and…………….

 Are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth,

where they enter into the bloodstream.

 Chewable tablet:

They are tablets that chewed prior to

swallowing.
 They are designed for administration to
children e.g. vitamin products.
 2.Capsules
Written as cap or caps

 Prepared in two forms


Soft capsules:

o Are made of soft gelatin

o Contain liquid inside &

are sealed

o E.g. Vitamin A & E

capsules
Powders: Solid dosage forms containing finely
divided particles in micron size .

Pills: Small tablet containing excipients

Granules: Aggregate of particles.

Lozenges: Solid preparations containing sugar and

gum used to medicate mouth and throat .
 Liquid dosage forms
Are found in liquid states

 Either clear solutions, suspensions or

emulsions
I. Solutions

 Are clear mixtures/fluids

 They don’t need to be shaken/mixed

 Are of different forms

A. Elixirs C.Tinctures
 Contain alcohol, water & flavoring
 Contain both water & alcohol
agents
 Are mainly used for pediatric use as solvent

 E.g. diphenhydramine,  Don’t contain flavoring agent

pheonobarbital elixir  For external use E.g. iodine

 Promethazine, Piperazine, Digoxin tincture
elixir D. Miscellaneous solutions
B. Syrups
 Includes… injectable clear
 Contain sugar, water & flavoring
solutions
agent
 They don’t contain alcohol  E.g. gentamicin injection,

 E.g. multivitamin syrup glucose preparations

Linctuses: Viscous, liquid oral preparations used to
relief cough

Lotions: Liquid preparations for external

application usually applied without friction.
 Definitions: Semisolid dosage forms
Too soft to be solid & too hard to be liquid

Are mainly used for topical administration

Includes:

1.Ointments: Semisolid dosage forms for external use

containing with or without medicaments with suitable
ointment base
– Oil is the main ingredient
E.g. tetracycline ointment
.
Classification of Semisolid dosage forms
 Semisolid dosage forms include
ointments pastes creams gels

Many patients and physicians prefer creams to ointments.

 they are generally easier to spread, and, in the case of cream
of the oil-in-water emulsion.

 Easier to remove than many ointments

They are applied to the skin for:-

 Protective
 Beautifying
 Therapeutic or prophylactic purposes
 Con..
2.Creams: Semisolid dosage forms for external
use containing with or without medicaments
with suitable fatty base
– water is the main ingredient
E.g. hydrocortisone cream.
• 3.Paste: Semisolid dosage forms for external
use containing high proportion of finely
powdered medicaments with suitable fatty
base
 Gaseous dosage forms
• 1.Aerosols: Suspension of fine solid or liquid
particles with gas used to apply drug to respiratory
tract having atomizer with in device
• 2.Inhalations: Internal liquid preparations
containing medicaments dissolved in suitable
solvent or if insoluble suspended in the propellant
 Con….
• 3.Sprays: Gaseous preparations of drugs
containing alcohol applied to mucous
membrane of nose or throat with atomizer or
nebulizer .
 Dose calculations
• The dose of a drug is the quantitative amount
administered or taken by a patient for the intended
medicinal effect.
• The dose may be expressed as a single dose, the
amount taken at one time; a daily dose; or a total
dose, the amount taken during the course of
therapy.
• A daily dose may be subdivided and taken in
divided doses ,two or more times per day
depending on the characteristics of the drug and
the illness.
• The schedule of dosing is referred to as the
dosage regimen
(e.g., Metronidazole 500mg po three times per
day for 7 days)
 Quantitatively, drug doses vary greatly among
drug substances; some drugs have small doses,
other drugs have relatively large doses.
• The dose of a drug is based on its biochemical
and pharmacologic activity, its physical and
chemical properties, the dosage form used, the
route of administration, and various patient
factors.
• The dose of a drug for a particular patient may
be determined in part on the basis of the
patient’s age, weight, body surface area, general
physical health, liver and kidney function (for
drug metabolism and elimination
 Pharmacokinetic dosing takes into account a
patient’s ability to metabolize and eliminate drugs
from the body due to impaired liver or renal
function, which often necessitates a reduction in
dosage
Doses
• Given two factors in the following equation, by
rearrangement, the third may be calculated:
• Number of doses= Total quantity/ Size of dose
• A pharmacist often needs to calculate the size of
a dose , the number of doses ,or the total quantity
of medication to dispense.
• For these calculations the following equation is
useful with the terms rearranged depending on
the answer required.
In using the equation, the units of weight or volume
must be the same for the total quantity and size of
the dose.
Number of doses =Total quantity/ Size of dose
E.g 1.If the dose of a drug is 200 mg, how many
doses are contained in 10 g?
10 g = 10,000 mg
Number of doses = 10,000 (mg)/ 200 (mg) =

2.If 1 tablespoon is prescribed as the dose,

approximately how many doses will be contained
in 1 pint of the medicine?
1 tablespoon = 15 mL ,1 pint = 473 mL
Number of doses =
473 mL /15 mL= 31.5 or 31 dose
3. How many tea spoonfuls would be prescribed in
each dose of an elixir if 180 mL contained 18 doses?
Size of dose =180 mL /18=10 mL
2 tea spoonfuls,
4. How many grams of a drug will be needed to
prepare 72 dosage forms if each is to contain 30 mg?
Number of doses = 72, Size of dose =30 mg Total
quantity = 72* 30 mg =2160 mg =
2.16 g, answer
5.How many grams of a drug substance are
required to make 120 mL of a solution each
teaspoonful of which contains 3 mg of the drug
substance?
1 teaspoonful = 5 mL
5 (mL)= 3 (mg)
120 (mL) x (mg)
x = 72 mg or 0.072 g ans
 Dose Based on Age
• Young’s rule, based on age:
• Age x Adult dose = Dose for child
Age + 12
Dose Based on Body Weight
A useful equation for the calculation of dose based
on body weight is:
Patient’s dose (mg) = Patient’s weight (kg)x Drug
dose (mg)/ 1 (kg)
 Dose Based on Body Surface Area
Patient’s dose=Patient’s BSA (m2) x Drug dose (mg
1.73 m2)
E.g If the adult dose of a drug is 100 mg, calculate
the approximate dose for a child with a BSA of 0.83
m2
patient dose=0.83 m2/ 1.73 m2x100 mg =
47.97 or 48 mg, answer
END