The dosage form is the physical shape of a medication: what it is, and how it gets into the body. Choosing the right form is a clinical decision made by the prescriber with input from the pharmacist.
Capsules
Useful for strengths that are not commercially available and for leaving out inactive ingredients a patient cannot tolerate. Not suitable for patients who cannot swallow.
Oral liquids
Suspensions and solutions allow precise, adjustable doses and are easier for children and many animals. Not every drug is stable in liquid, so availability depends on stability information.
Creams, ointments and gels
Applied to the skin. Creams contain water and spread easily. Ointments are water-free and occlusive. Gels are often clear and dry quickly. The base affects how a drug behaves on the skin.
Troches and suppositories
Troches dissolve in the mouth. Suppositories are inserted rectally or vaginally. Both are alternatives when swallowing is not possible or not tolerated, for appropriate drugs.
Oral rinses and otic preparations
Mouth rinses treat the mouth and throat directly. Otic preparations are made for use in the ear, most often in veterinary patients.
This article is educational and is not medical or veterinary advice. Talk with your prescriber, veterinarian or pharmacist about your own situation.