10/31 Sury, Solid dosage forms

Question 1

What are the common solid dosage forms in pharmacy?

Answer 1

Tablets, capsules, medicated powders, and granules.

Question 2

Which two solid dosage forms are emphasized in this section?

Answer 2

Tablets and capsules.

Question 3

Why are tablets and capsules popular solid dosage forms?

Answer 3

Unit dose (accurate dosing)

Convenient to transport and store

Easy identification (shape, color, imprint)

Taste masking is easy

Easy to dispense in large quantities

Stable and cost-effective

Question 4

What are some pharmaceutical advantages of solid dosage forms over liquids?

Answer 4

More stable, longer shelf life, and easier large-scale manufacturing (especially tablets).

Question 5

What are the main types of tablets?

Answer 5

Compressed tablets

Coated tablets (sugar, film, enteric)

Buccal and sublingual tablets

Chewable tablets

Effervescent tablets

Immediate- and extended-release tablets

Vaginal tablets

Question 6

What is a buccal tablet?

Answer 6

A tablet designed to dissolve when placed between the gum and cheek for absorption through the oral mucosa.

Question 7

What is the role of a diluent in tablets?

Answer 7

Adds bulk to the formulation.

Question 8

What is the role of a binder?

Answer 8

Converts powder into granules to improve cohesion.

Question 9

What is the role of a disintegrant?

Answer 9

Promotes tablet breakup after administration for faster dissolution.

Question 10

What is the role of glidants and lubricants?

Answer 10

Improve powder flow and prevent sticking during compression.

Question 11

What are examples of miscellaneous excipients?

Answer 11

Colorants and flavorants for appearance and palatability.

Question 12

What are the purposes of tablet coating?

Answer 12

Prevent exposure to moisture

Mask taste

Sustain drug release

Improve elegance and swallowing

Question 13

Name examples of polymers used for sustained drug release coatings.

Answer 13

Ethyl cellulose, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl acetate.

Question 14

Why are some tablets enteric-coated?

Answer 14

To protect the stomach from irritating drugs (e.g., aspirin, steroids)

To protect acid-sensitive drugs from gastric degradation (e.g., erythromycin, pancreatin)

Question 15

What are common polymers used for enteric coatings?

Answer 15

Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)

Polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP)

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP)

Question 16

What are capsules?

Answer 16

Solid dosage forms in which the drug is enclosed within a hard or soft gelatin shell, intended to be swallowed whole.

Question 17

What are the two types of capsules?

Answer 17

Hard gelatin capsules and soft gelatin capsules.

Question 18

If a patient cannot swallow a capsule, can the pharmacist open it and mix the contents with food or drink?

Answer 18

Only if the formulation allows it (depends on whether the drug is enteric-coated or time-release).

Question 19

What are typical water content levels in hard gelatin capsules?

Answer 19

13–16% w/w.

Question 20

What happens if hard gelatin capsules are stored in high humidity?

Answer 20

They absorb moisture, become distorted, and may lose shape.

Question 21

What happens if they are stored in dry conditions (<40% RH)?

Answer 21

They become brittle and may crack.

Question 22

Why are desiccants used in capsule packaging?

Answer 22

To prevent moisture absorption and preserve capsule integrity.

Question 23

What are typical volume capacities for capsule sizes? (don’t need to know specifics, just range)

Answer 23

Size 00: 0.95 mL

Size 0: 0.68 mL

Size 1: 0.50 mL

Size 2: 0.37 mL

Size 4: 0.21 mL

Question 24

Example of a hard gelatin capsule formulation?

Answer 24

Active ingredients: Acetaminophen 325 mg, Codeine phosphate 30 mg

Disintegrant: Sodium starch glycolate

Lubricants: Magnesium stearate, stearic acid

Colorant: FD&C Red No. 40

Question 25

What are soft gelatin capsules made of?

Answer 25

Gelatin with glycerin or sorbitol (plasticizers).

Question 26

What is the moisture content of soft gelatin capsules compared to hard ones?

Answer 26

Higher.

Question 27

Why might soft capsules contain preservatives like parabens?

Answer 27

To prevent microbial growth due to higher moisture content.

Question 28

What types of formulations are typically used in softgels?

Answer 28

Liquids, pastes, or suspensions.

Question 29

Give examples of soft gelatin capsule formulations.

Answer 29

Digoxin dissolved in PEG 400, ethanol, propylene glycol, and water. Acetazolamide coated pellets for sustained release.

Question 30

Why should tablets and capsules be taken with water?

Answer 30

To prevent lodging in the esophagus, which can cause ulceration.

Question 31

Which drugs are associated with esophageal ulceration if taken without sufficient water?

Answer 31

Aspirin, ferrous sulfate, NSAIDs.

Question 32

What are the administration instructions for alendronate (Fosamax)?

Answer 32

Take with 6–8 oz of plain water In the morning before food or beverages Remain upright and avoid reclining for 30 minutes

Question 33

What are the main parameters used to evaluate tablets?

Answer 33

Hardness, disintegration, friability, and dissolution.

Question 34

What does tablet hardness measure?

Answer 34

The mechanical strength or force required to fracture a tablet.

Question 35

Why is tablet hardness a compromise?

Answer 35

Must be hard enough to resist handling but soft enough to disintegrate and dissolve properly.

Question 36

What does disintegration testing measure?

Answer 36

The time required for a tablet to break apart — the first step in dissolution.

Question 37

What is friability?

Answer 37

A measure of how well a tablet withstands abrasion during handling and transport.

Question 38

What is dissolution testing used for?

Answer 38

To measure the rate at which the drug goes into solution (in vitro).

Question 39

What are medicated powders?

Answer 39

Solid preparations reconstituted before dispensing (e.g., amoxicillin).

Question 40

Give examples of other powder uses.

Answer 40

Freeze-dried powders: reconstituted and injected (e.g., vancomycin) Aerosol powders (DPIs): inhaled (e.g., cromolyn sodium)

Question 41

What are granules?

Answer 41

Aggregates of powder particles used for reconstitution or direct use.

Question 42

Give examples of granules.

Answer 42

Lactinex granules: probiotics for diarrhea Effervescent granules: sodium bicarbonate + citric/tartaric acid → carbonated solution that masks taste

Question 43

Why are effervescent granules useful?

Answer 43

They produce a carbonated solution that helps mask taste and are useful for patients who cannot swallow tablets.

Question 44

For rapid onset of action, rank the following dosage forms: oral tablet, oral solution, intravenous.

Answer 44

Intravenous → Oral solution → Oral tablet