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Dosage forms are thought to be as old as humans, although doubt has never ceased regarding the “measures” used by early humans to measure these formulations. Before the advent of orthodox medicine, primitive people used a variety of plant and animal parts externally to help heal wounds or internally to alleviate symptoms caused by mental, physical or psychological factors. Early civilizations also used many dosage forms – ointments, powders, pills, sugar-based sweet preparations, including syrups, preserves, confections, electuries, etc.
The potent nature of most of the active pharmaceutical ingredients and their low dosage requirements have hindered their use in the treatment and management of disease conditions that are convenient to weigh on a routine basis as needed by patients. In order to obtain another stable, elegant, safe and therapeutically active drug product, drug substances are formulated into appropriate dosage forms; Each is designed to contain a specific amount of active drug ingredient for ease and accuracy of dosage administration. This article, therefore, provides an overview of the various classifications of pharmaceutical dosage forms as well as general considerations in dosage form design.
