ABSTRACT
In this chapter we examine dosage forms as drug-delivery systems. The scope of the examination will, however, be limited to those oral dosage forms in which the drug is not in solution when taken by the patient. Usually the absorption of drugs from aqueous solutions can be defined by the principles discussed in Chapter 2. However, occasionally drugs in solution may precipitate in the gastrointestinal (GI) fluids and effectively be considered as suspensions. Nevertheless, the dosage forms considered in this chapter are tablets, capsules, and suspensions. In addition, the discussion is limited to drugs absorbed by passive diffusion that thus appear to obey first-order linear absorption kinetics.
