These are the most common drug formulations and generally given orally. Solid formulations include

Tablets: These are the most common form of medications. They are made by compressing a granulated powder with the active ingredient and   inactive filler ingredients (exccepiants) as the actual amount of active ingredient  needed may only be a small quantitie. To help the tablet disintegrate or dissolve when coming in contact with fluid, a tablet is usually coated with a substance such as starch, which is known as excipient.

Enteric Coated Tablets: These tablets do not disintegrate in the acidic medium of the stomach but disintegrate in the intestine, which has an alkaline medium. These tablets should not be crushed and swallowed.

Capsules: Capsules are hard and/or soft. Hard capsules have the drug in solid form while soft capsules can have a semi-solid or liquid form of the medication inside the capsule. Soft capsules contain the drug formulations that are hard to dissolve in water.

Sustained Release Preparations: These drugs are embedded in a relatively inert material to ensure their slow release which allows them to be given less often increasing compliance by patients. . The drug can be coated in multiple layers so that it disintegrates slowly after the release of each layer.

Controlled Release Tablets: These tablets are covered with a semi-permeable membrane and come with a hole. Once the drug enters into the gastrointestinal tract of the patient, water seeps into its hole, causing the release of the drug in a  controlled fashion due to the difference in the osmotic pressure.

Solubility and dissolution rate varies with the solid dosage form as the particle size may critically affect the dissolution and absorption rate of a drug. To ensure the consistent bioavailability behavior of the drug, dissolution rate and solubility for various batches of brand-name and generic drugs need to be well controlled and tested to ensure efficacy.

These formulations are easier to absorb compared to solid formulations. These are useful for patients such as children who have difficulty in swallowing  tablets.

Liquid Medications: Liquid medications  are often  flavored to improve the taste of the medication. These drugs come in the forms of solutions, suspensions and emulsions and should be shaken well before use.

Topical Preparations: These drugs are applied to an area of the body for direct administration. These include drops, nebulizers, inhalers, creams, lotions, and gels.

Liquid formulations are easier to prepare as they have fewer inactive ingredients. Semisolid formulations may have inactive ingredients such as water, oil, preservatives and pH-adjusting agents. These formulations require considerable development efforts due to the complexity of interactions between various ingredients.

Efficacy and safety must be given for the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and also for the primary packaging materials and devices.

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