Structural Biochemistry/Miscellaneous dosage forms

Suppositories:
It is solid dosage forms of drug that will melt or dissolve in the aqueous secretions in where the drug is positioned. It is used for insertion into the rectum, vaginal cavity, or urethral tract where it will perform its therapeutic effects locally or will be absorbed into the bloodstream of the patients.

Different length and weight of suppositories are varies for adult and pediatric.
 * Adult rectal suppositories weigh ~2grams and ~2.5 to 3.5 cm long, double the size and weight of pediatric suppositories.
 * Vaginal suppositories are globular, ovoid or conical, weigh 3 to 5 grams.
 * Urethral suppositories has diameter of 3mm to 5 mm, length varies differently in female urethra and male urethra (60 to 75 in female and 100 to 150 in male).

Inhalers:
This type of dosage form of drug is inhaled via the nose or mouth in the form of gas or air, so that the micro small medicinal particles can flow into the alveolar sacs in the lungs.

Need to be shaken well prior to usage.

Otic Product:
Around 4 drops of this solutions or suspensions can be instilled into the ear canal.

Warning: only used for the ear and have to shake well if the drug is a suspension.

Enemas:
It is the liquid preparations that are used by introduced into the rectum by a bulb syringe at room temperature. This drug’s effects are orientated to be either local or systemic.

Douches:
It is the aqueous solutions which are introduced into a cavity of the patients’ body for the main purpose of cleaning the cavity. For example, eye douches are used to removed foreign particles from the eyes; vaginal douches help cleanse and provide medication for the vaginal mucosa while directed to the female vagina.

References:
Reifman, Noah. Certification Review For Pharmacy Technicians. 9th ed. the United States of America: AuthorHouse, 2011. 61-88. Print.