Dosage Forms and Drug Administration

Drugs are available in many different forms including tablets, capsules, soft gels, liquids (eg. solutions, drops, syrups, suspensions, lotions), sprays, inhalations (eg inhalers), powders, ointments, creams, suppositories, pessaries, transdermal patches, implants and injections.

There are also many ways the drug can be injected including intravenous injection, intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection and others.

Additionally, not all the tablets are to be swallowed whole because they come in different forms.

 There are few types of tablets. Some are:

• Sublingual tablets. The tablets must be put under the tongue. They must not be swallowed. The drug will be dissolved and then absorbed into your blood stream via the blood vessels under the tongue.
• Buccal tablets. The tablets are put in between your cheek and teeth. They also must not be swallowed. The drug is absorbed into your blood stream via your blood vessels under your cheek.
• Effervescent tablets. The tablet must be dissolved into a glass of water before use. They are used to give a faster effects.
• Chewable tablets. The tablets need to be chewed to be effective and to give faster effects.
• Enteric coated tablets. The examples are sugar coated or film coated tablet. They must be swallowed whole with water and cannot be chewed. Active ingredients are released only after the drug has passed through the stomach. Usually they contain drugs that are easily destroyed by the stomach acid.
• Slow release tablets or controlled release tablets. The tablets are designed so that the active ingredients are released slowly over a prolonged period of time. They must be swallowed whole with water and cannot be chewed or crushed.

It is advisable to take your capsules or tablets in an upright position and take them with water.

Absorption of certain oral drugs may be affected by food therefore they need to be taken on an empty stomach (usually 1 hour before meal or 2 hours after meal).

However, some oral drugs should be taken after meal. If the drugs are taken on empty stomach or before meal, they can be rendered ineffective by gastric juices, or they may affect the lining of the stomach if taken before meal.


Alcohol and certain foods should not be taken simultaneously with certain drugs. Separate the intake at least 2 hours before or after taking the medication. If in doubt , consult your pharmacist.