A solid dosage form containing medicinal substances with or without suitable diluents; it may vary in shape, size, and weight, and may be classed according to the method of manufacture, as compressed t.. SYN: tabule. [Fr. tablette, L. tabula]
- buccal t. usually a small, flat t. intended to be inserted in the buccal pouch, where the active ingredient is absorbed directly through the oral mucosa; such a t. dissolves or erodes slowly.
- compressed t. a t. prepared, usually as a large-scale production, by means of great pressure; most compressed tablets consist of the active ingredient and a diluent, binder, disintegrator, and lubricant.
- dispensing t. a t. prepared by molding or by compression; used by the dispensing pharmacist to obtain certain potent substances in a convenient form for accurate compounding. Formerly used to prepare bulk solutions of germicidal chemicals, e.g., bichloride of mercury. Not intended for internal use.
- enteric coated t. an oral dosage form in which a t. is coated with a material to prevent or minimize dissolution in the stomach but allow dissolution in the small intestine. This type of formulation either protects the stomach from a potentially irritating drug ( e.g., aspirin) or protects the drug ( e.g., erythromycin) from partial degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach.
- hypodermic t. a compressed or molded t. that dissolves completely in water to form an injectable solution.
- sublingual t. usually a small, flat t. intended to be inserted beneath the tongue, where the active ingredient is absorbed directly through the oral mucosa; such a t. ( e.g., nitroglyerine) dissolves very promptly.
- sustained action t., sustained release t. a drug product formulation that provides the required dosage initially and then maintains or repeats it at desired intervals. SYN: prolonged action t., repeat action t..
- t. triturate a small, usually cylindrical, molded or compressed disk of varying size, containing a diluent usually consisting of dextrose (glucose) or of a mixture of lactose and powdered sucrose and a moistening agent or excipient, such as dilute alcohol.
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tab·let 'tab-lət n a small mass of medicated material (as in the shape of a disk) <an aspirin \tablet>
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n.
(in pharmacy) a small disc containing one or more drugs, made by compressing a powdered form of the drug(s). It is usually taken by mouth but may be inserted into a body cavity (see suppository).
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tab·let (tabґlət) a solid dosage form of a medicinal substance, of varying weight, size, and shape, which may be molded or compressed. In addition to the active drug, it contains a diluent (or filler) and an excipient to give the mass adhesiveness, firmness, and plasticity, so that the tablet can be worked by hand or machine to the desired form. Called also pill.Medical dictionary. 2011.