Tablets, softgels, dry syrups, suspensions, drops and more. A plain-language overview of the formats you will see across our product segments.
Our catalogue lists more than twenty dosage forms and formats. Here is a plain-language overview of what each term means as it appears in product listings. This is general trade information, not guidance on the use of any medicine.
Solid forms
- Tablet: a compressed solid unit. Listings may add letters such as DT (dispersible tablet) or SR (sustained release) to the brand or composition.
- Capsule: a hard shell containing powder or granules.
- Softgel capsule: a soft, sealed gelatin shell, often containing an oil-based fill.
Liquid forms
- Syrup: a ready-to-use liquid.
- Suspension: a liquid in which particles are dispersed; packs usually advise shaking before use.
- Dry syrup: a powder supplied in a bottle, to be reconstituted with water as directed on the pack.
- Oral drops: a concentrated liquid supplied with a dropper.
Injectables
Supplied as vials, ampoules or pre-filled packs. Pack descriptions such as vial packing or dispo pack describe the presentation.
Topical and other formats
- Ointment, gel, cream and lotion: preparations for external application, differing in base and texture.
- Soap, shampoo and dusting powder: formats within the derma and personal care segments.
- Eye, ear and nasal drops or sprays: supplied in small dropper bottles or metered-dose sprays.
- Sachet and powder: single-dose sachets or jars, used in the nutrition segment.
Finding a format
On the products page you can filter by segment and search by format name, for example softgel or dry syrup.
This article is general information for the pharma trade. It is not medical advice.
