Suspensum

Suspensum is a Latin term historically used in pharmacology and medicine to denote a suspension, a liquid dosage form in which solid particles are dispersed throughout a liquid rather than dissolved. The word derives from suspendere, meaning to hang or suspend, and in Latin usage suspensum can function as a neuter noun or as an adjective describing a suspended preparation.

In classical and medieval Latin pharmacopoeias and medical writings, suspensum appears as the designation for medicinal suspensions—preparations in which an active ingredient is distributed as fine solid particles within a vehicle such as water or an alcoholic medium. The formulation aims to maintain a uniform dispersion to ensure consistent dosing and bioavailability, often requiring gentle mixing before administration.

Modern practice favors the English term suspension, and suspensum is now primarily encountered in historical texts, Latin-language pharmacopeias, or in bibliographic descriptions of old formulations. The concept remains central in pharmacy and pharmacology, but the Latin label is largely of historical interest, providing linguistic and documentary context for ancient or early modern pharmaceutical recipes.

Related topics include the general characteristics of suspensions, including the need for appropriate vehicles and suspending agents to improve stability and homogeneity. While new terminology and standardized nomenclature have evolved, suspensum reflects the historical roots of liquid dosage forms and the long-standing effort to deliver drugs in a form suitable for administration and accurate dosing.