Lääkemuotoina

Lääkemuotoina refers to the physical forms in which medications are prepared and administered to patients. The choice of dosage form is crucial as it influences the drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, ultimately affecting its therapeutic efficacy and safety. Common lääkemuotoina include solids, liquids, and semi-solids.

Solid dosage forms are the most widely used and include tablets, capsules, powders, and granules. Tablets are compressed powders or granules, often coated to mask taste, improve stability, or control release. Capsules consist of a gelatin or HPMC shell enclosing the drug in powder or granular form. Powders can be administered directly or mixed with liquids, while granules are aggregations of powder particles designed for better handling and dissolution.

Liquid dosage forms are typically solutions, suspensions, or emulsions. Solutions are clear preparations where the drug is fully dissolved in a solvent, often water or alcohol. Suspensions contain solid drug particles dispersed in a liquid medium, requiring shaking before administration. Emulsions are mixtures of oil and water, stabilized by an emulsifying agent, used for drugs that are poorly soluble in water.

Semi-solid dosage forms are applied topically and include ointments, creams, gels, and suppositories. Ointments are greasy preparations for prolonged contact with the skin. Creams are semi-solid emulsions, easier to spread and less greasy than ointments. Gels are semi-solid systems where a liquid phase is held within a three-dimensional matrix. Suppositories are solid dosage forms inserted into bodily orifices, melting or dissolving at body temperature to release medication.

The selection of a lääkemuotoina depends on factors such as the drug's properties, the intended route of administration, the patient's condition, and desired pharmacokinetic profile.