Preparações

Preparações is the plural form of preparação in Portuguese and is used to refer to the act of preparing or to items that have been prepared. The term derives from Latin preparatio, from preparar, meaning to get ready. In everyday language, preparações can denote plans, arrangements, or steps taken before an action or event.

In culinary contexts, preparações refer to dishes or components that have been prepared or are in the process of being prepared. Menus may categorize preparações culinárias as part of a broader selection of dishes, drinks, or desserts.

In pharmaceutical and healthcare settings, preparações denotes pharmaceutical preparations—the finished medicinal products designed for patient use. This includes dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions, ointments, and injectables. In some jurisdictions, preparações magistrais (magistral preparations) are medicines compounded by a pharmacist according to a doctor’s prescription, while industrial formulations are produced in manufacturing facilities.

In scientific and laboratory contexts, preparações describe the steps required to render a sample suitable for analysis, such as cutting, staining, digestion, or extraction.

Preparações also appears in ceremonial, military, or logistical contexts to denote the preparations or preliminary arrangements made before an operation or event. Quality and safety considerations influence the production of preparations, with regulatory standards and pharmacopeias guiding composition, labeling, storage, and distribution.

Overall, preparações encompasses a broad range of activities and products centered on the concept of making ready, whether for consumption, medical use, scientific analysis, or planned action.