JNTU Pharm. D III Year PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS Previous Question Paper (June/July - 2022 - R08)

Dosage forms are classified by their route of administration into several categories, each offering distinct advantages:

• Oral Route: Includes tablets, capsules, and syrups. Merits: Most convenient, non-invasive, cost-effective, and safe for self-administration. Example: Paracetamol tablets.
• Parenteral Route: Includes injections (IV, IM, SC). Merits: Rapid onset of action, useful for unconscious patients or drugs poorly absorbed orally, and avoids first-pass metabolism. Example: Insulin injection.
• Topical Route: Includes ointments, creams, and transdermal patches. Merits: Provides localized effect with minimal systemic side effects, or sustained systemic delivery via patches. Example: Diclofenac gel.
• Inhalation Route: Includes aerosols and inhalers. Merits: Direct delivery to the respiratory tract for rapid local action, reducing systemic toxicity. Example: Salbutamol inhaler.
• Rectal/Vaginal Route: Includes suppositories and pessaries. Merits: Useful for patients with vomiting or when oral administration is not feasible, partially bypassing first-pass metabolism. Example: Glycerin suppositories.

Converting a drug into a dosage form is essential for the following reasons:

• Dose Accuracy: Ensures the patient receives the precise amount of drug required for therapeutic effect.
• Stability and Protection: Protects the drug from environmental factors like light, moisture, or gastric acidity (e.g., enteric coating).
• Patient Compliance: Masks unpleasant tastes or odors and improves the physical appearance to encourage patient adherence.
• Controlled Release: Allows for the modulation of drug release rates to sustain therapeutic levels or target specific sites in the body.