Abbreviations for Dosage Forms Found
in Inscription, Subscription or Signa
amp.
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Ampule. A hermetically sealed glass vessel
containing a sterile drug solution usually used parenteral
administration. The ampule is broken
and the solution drawn into a syringe under aseptic conditions just prior to
administration. Ampules are always
single dose units. Vials are glass containers with a rubber stopper through
which a hypodermic needle can be inserted to remove its contents. Vials can be either single use or multiple
use depending on whether a bacteriostatic preservative is present in the
solution.
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cap.
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Capsule.
A shell usually made of gelatin that contains the active ingredients
in powder or liquid form. When the
capsule is swallowed, the gelatin dissolves in the acid environment of the
stomach releasing the material inside.
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chart.
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A divided powder, powder in a paper. The drug or drug mixture is wrapped in
folded paper. The patient unfolds the
paper and transfers the contents to a tablespoon or a glass and dissolves the
contents in water. This solution is
swallowed and washed down with water.
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cr., crm.
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Cream. A
semisolid preparation containing drug intended for application to body surfaces like the
skin. Creams are heterogenous systems (an oil in water mixture) whose
continuous phase is either aqueous or water soluble. Creams absorb into the skin leaving little
oily residue.
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elix.
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Elixir. An
oral solution containing drug, water, and some alcohol. When the active ingredients are dissolved
exclusively in alcohol the dosage form is called a Spirit.
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emul.
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Emulsion.
A liquid, heterogenous dosage form in which a liquid oil is usually
dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase.
Usually the drug is dissolved in the internal oil phase. When an emulsion is used topically it is
frequently called a lotion. (Topical
lotions may also be called suspensions)
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Liq.
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A solution
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Lot.
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A lotion.
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pulv.,
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A bulk powder.
Applied directly to the skin from the container.
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sol.
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Solution.
A solution of drug usually in water.
May be taken by mouth or applied to skin depending on indication.
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Supp,sup, suppose.,
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Suppository.
Firm semisolid dosage forms that are designed to be inserted into a
particular body opening. The semisolid vehicle melts at body temperature
releasing the incorporated drug into the local body fluids. Rectal and
vaginal suppositories are most common.
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susp.
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Suspension.
A liquid, heterogenous dosage form in which a solid is dispersed in
the liquid. Usually the drug is not
dissolved in the dosage form. When the suspension is used topically it is
frequently called a lotion.
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syr.
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Syrup. A solution
that is sweet and highly viscous.
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tab.
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Tablet. A
compressed tablet of drug and other excipients which can only be manufactured
on an industrial scale. Tablets are
designed to break up into fragments when they enter the stomach or other body
fluid allowing the drug to come into contact with the fluid, and
dissolve. Tablets are not pills. Pills are an older type of preparation not
commonly used anymore, and have a round shape (exception - colchicine is
dispensed as pills). A Sublingual
Tablet (tab SL. or SL) is designed to be dissolved under the tongue. A sublingually administered drug is
intended to be absorbed across the oral mucosa avoiding
gastrointestinal-hepatic degradation prior to entry into general circulation
(Example Nitroglycerine Sublingual Tablet).
Sublingual tablets should not be swallowed.
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Tinc, tr, tinct,
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Tincture.
A solution containing a lot of alcohol, although other solvents may be
present. Tinctures usually contain drug at high concentrations.
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Oint.
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Ointment.
A semisolid preparation containing drug intended for application to body
surfaces like the skin. Ointments
unlike creams are continuous oil based systems. Ointments generally leave an
oily residue on the applied surface for a longer time than creams.
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To see more abbreviations used in prescription click on the respective links, given below:
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