Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS®)

Appendix 2 - RxNorm Dose Forms (TTY=DF) with Definitions

Only forms whose names are given in bold are used. Additional terms for the same form (not necessarily synonymous, and in some cases ambiguous) are listed in parentheses after the term. Some additional hierarchical nodes are given to aid in finding the correct form.

Forms Definition & Usage Notes
Inhalants & Sprays

Inhalants

Gas for Inhalation

a gas that can be breathed into the nose or mouth

Inhalant Solution

a solution intended to be inhaled

Metered Dose Inhaler

a liquid medication delivered as a mist to be inhaled as a measured dose

Nasal Inhalant

a medication intended to be inhaled through the nose

Nasal Inhaler

a medication delivered as a mist to be inhaled through the nose as a measured dose

Inhalant Powder (Powdered Dose Inhaler)

a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled

Dry Powder Inhaler

a powdered medication inhaled as a measured dose

Spray

a substance propelled by gas(es)

Mucosal Spray

a spray intended for use on the mucous membranes

Nasal Spray

a nasal solution intended for use in the nasal cavity delivered by a spray (see also Nasal Inhalant & Nasal Inhaler)

Oral Spray

a spray intended to be applied into the oral cavity

Rectal Spray

a spray intended to be used in or around the rectum

Topical Spray (Dermal Spray)

a spray intended for use on the skin

Powder Spray

a powder delivered on the skin as a spray

Vaginal Spray

a spray intended to be used in or around the vagina
Liquids

Cream

a homogenous mixture that contains two liquid phases - usually oil in water or water in oil

Nasal Cream

a cream intended for use on or in the nasal cavity

Ophthalmic Cream

a cream intended for use in the eye

Oral Cream

a cream intended for use on or in the mouth

Otic Cream

a cream intended for use on or in the ear

Rectal Cream

a cream intended for use in or around the rectum

Topical Cream

a cream intended to be used on the skin

Augmented Topical Cream

a cream with enhanced drug delivery capability

Vaginal Cream

a cream intended for use in or around the vagina

Foam

bubbles of gas that are introduced into a liquid

Oral Foam

a foam intended to be administered into the mouth

Rectal Foam

a foam intended for use in the rectum

Topical Foam

a foam intended for use on the skin

Vaginal Foam

a foam intended for use in the vagina

Liquid Cleanser

a liquid containing a detergent (see also Bar Soap)

Medicated Liquid Soap

a liquid containing a detergent and a medication

Medicated Shampoo

a medicated liquid soap intended for use on hair

Oil

a fatty liquid

Topical Oil

an oil intended to be applied on the skin

Prefilled Applicator

a medication in an applicator delivered as a single measured dose

Solution

a homogenous mixture of one or more solutes completely dissolved in a liquid solvent

Inhalant Solution

a solution intended to be inhaled

Injectable Solution

a solution intended to be injected

Intraperitoneal Solution

a solution intended for use in the peritoneal cavity

Prefilled Syringe (Cartridge, Pen)

a solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe, cartridge, or pen

Irrigation Solution

a solution intended for use as a flushing or rinsing agent

Douche

an irrigation solution intended for use in the vagina

Enema(Rectal Solution; Rectal Suspension)

an irrigation solution intended to cleanse the bowel or administer diagnostic drugs

Ophthalmic Irrigation Solution

an irrigation solution intended for use in the eye

Nasal Solution (Nasal Drops; Nose Drops)

a solution intended for use on the nasal mucosa

Ophthalmic Solution (Ophthalmic Drops; Eye Drops)

a solution intended for use in the eye

Oral Solution (Oral Drops)

a solution intended to be taken by mouth. For solutions applied to the teeth, use Mouthwash.

Mouthwash (Oral Rinse; Topical Dental Solution)

an oral solution intended to be used as a rinse or for irrigation. This includes oral solutions that are applied to the teeth.

Mucus Membrane Topical Solution

an oral solution intended for use on the mucous membranes

Otic Solution (Otic Drops; Ear Drops)

a solution intended for use in the ear.

Topical Solution (Tincture; Liniment)

a solution intended for use on a surface (do not use for Oral Solutions)
Suspension a nonhomogenous mixture of one or more substances not completely dissolved in a liquid

Injectable Suspension

a suspension administered by injection

Prefilled Syringe (Cartridge, Pen)

a solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe, cartridge, or pen

Lotion

a viscous liquid suspension

Topical Lotion

a lotion intended for use on the skin

Augmented Topical Lotion

a lotion with enhanced drug delivery capability

Nasal Suspension (Nasal Drops; Nose Drops)

a suspension intended for use in the nose

Ophthalmic Suspension (Ophthalmic Drops; Eye Drops)

a suspension intended for use in the eye

Oral Suspension (Oral Drops)

a suspension intended to be taken by mouth

Extended Release Suspension

a suspension that allows for a timed or controlled release of the solute

Otic Suspension (Otic Drops; Ear Drops)

a suspension intended for use in the ear
Solid

Bar

a block of solid material that is longer in length than width

Bar Soap

a bar intended to be used to cleanse the body

Medicated Bar Soap

a bar of soap containing medication

Chewable Bar

a bar that can be broken down and crushed using the teeth

Beads

small ball-shaped objects

Cake

a block of compressed or firm matter

Capsule

a contained dosage form

Oral Capsule

a capsule taken by mouth

Enteric Coated Capsule

a coated capsule to ensure its arrival in the small intestines by preventing the degradation of the dosage form in the stomach by stomach acid

Extended Release Enteric Coated Capsule

an enteric coated capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Extended Release Capsule

a capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Extended Release Enteric Coated Capsule

an enteric coated capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Cement

a material that holds one or more objects together

Chewing Gum

an insoluble material that is chewed to release medication

Crystals

a solid, transparent, and colorless matter formed by a chemical element, compound, or mixture

Disk

a flat, round, solid shape

Flakes

a collection of small, flat, thin, pieces of matter

Gel (Jelly)

fine particles dispersed in a medium resulting in a solid substance

Nasal Gel (Nasal Jelly)

a gel intended for use on or in the nasal cavity

Oral Gel (Oral Jelly)

a gel intended for use on or in the oral cavity

Ophthalmic Gel (Ophthalmic Jelly)

a gel intended for use on or in the eye

Rectal Gel (Rectal Jelly)

a gel intended for use in or around the rectum

Topical Gel (Topical Jelly)

a gel intended for use on the skin

Augmented Topical Gel

a gel with enhanced drug delivery capability

Urethral Gel (Urethral Jelly)

a gel intended for use in the urethra

Vaginal Gel (Vaginal Jelly)

a gel intended for use in or around the vagina

Granules

small bits that in large numbers form a larger entity

Drug Implant

a solid form inserted into the body that releases medication over time

Lozenge (Oral Troche)

a solid mass intended to be held in the mouth to allow for slow dissolution

Medicated Pad (Medicated Swab)

a non-adhesive patch used to apply medication (see also Transdermal Patch)

Medicated Tape

an adhesive tape used to apply medication (see also Transdermal Patch)

Ointment

a viscous occlusive mixture

Nasal Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the nose

Ophthalmic Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the eye

Oral Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the mouth

Otic Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the ear

Rectal Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the rectum

Topical Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the skin

Augmented Topical Ointment

an ointment with enhanced drug delivery capability

Vaginal Ointment

a ointment intended for use on or in the vagina

Oral Strip

a medicated thin strip that dissolves - intended for oral use

Buccal Film

a film that adheres to the inner lining of the cheek until dissolved

Paste

a smooth, viscous mixture of material; semisolid in nature

Oral Paste

a paste to be taken or used orally

Pudding

a paste that is often eaten

Toothpaste

a paste intended to be used in cleaning teeth

Patch

a type of material that can be used to cover or repair an affected area

Transdermal Patch

an adhesive patch applied to the skin in order to administer a time-released dose of medication (see also Medicated Patch & Medicated Tape)

Pellet

a small rounded body

Powder

a loose state of particulate matter

Inhalant Powder (Powdered Dose Inhaler)

a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled

Oral Powder

a powder given orally, often sprinkled on or mixed with food. Not for powders mixed with liquids.

Rectal Powder

a powder intended for use in or around the rectum

Topical Powder

a powder intended for use on the outside surface of the body

Vaginal Powder

a powder intended for use in or around the vagina

Suppository

a solid drug delivery vehicle that melts at normal body temperature

Rectal Suppository

a suppository intended to be inserted into the rectum

Vaginal Suppository

a suppository intended to be inserted into the vagina

Urethral Suppository

a suppository intended to be inserted into the urethra

Tablet

a solid, compressed dosage form

Oral Tablet (Caplet)

a tablet containing medicated materials to be taken by mouth

Buccal Tablet

a tablet held in the hollow pockets of the cheek until dissolved

Sustained Release Buccal Tablet

a tablet held in the hollow pockets of the cheek while the slowed delivery system allows the drug to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Chewable Tablet

a tablet taken by mouth and crushed into smaller pieces before swallowing

Disintegrating Tablet

a tablet dissolved in the mouth to release medication

Enteric Coated Tablet

a coated tablet to ensure arrival in the small intestines by preventing the degradation of the dosage form in the stomach by stomach acid

Extended Release Enteric Coated Tablet

an enteric coated tablet with a slowed delivery system that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Extended Release Tablet

a tablet whose contents are slowly released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Extended Release Enteric Coated Tablet

an enteric coated tablet with a slowed delivery system that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate

Sublingual Tablet

a tablet held under the tongue until dissolved

Vaginal Tablet

a tablet that contains medicated materials to be inserted vaginally

Vaginal Ring

a pliable delivery system surrounded by a polymeric membrane that provides controlled drug release to the vagina

Wafer

a thin, cookie-like, baked form

Last Reviewed: January 3, 2012