Appendix 2 - RxNorm Dose Forms (TTY=DF) with Definitions
| Forms | Definition & Usage Notes |
|---|---|
| Auto-Injector | a single use solution or suspension contained in a spring loaded injection system that can be administered by activating the device causing automatic insertion of the needle through the skin |
| Buccal Film | a thin sheet placed on the inner lining of the cheek until dissolved and contains one or more layers |
| Buccal Tablet | a tablet held in the hollow pockets of the cheek until dissolved |
| Cartridge | a single or multiple use solution or a suspension contained in a vessel used with a separate reusable injection system |
| Chewable Extended Release Oral Tablet | a tablet taken by mouth and crushed into smaller pieces before swallowing whose contents are slowly 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 |
| Chewing Gum | an insoluble material that is chewed to release medication |
| Delayed Release Oral Capsule | a solid dosage form in which the drug is enclosed within either a hard or soft soluble container made from a suitable form of gelatin, and which releases a drug (or drugs) at a time other than promptly after oral administration (enteric-coated particles are delayed release dosage forms) |
| Delayed Release Oral Granules | granules intended to be taken by mouth which releases a drug (or drugs) at a time other than promptly after oral administration (enteric-coated articles are delayed release dosage forms) |
| Delayed Release Oral Tablet | a solid dosage form which releases a drug (or drugs) at a time other than promptly after oral administration (enteric-coated particles are delayed release dosage forms) |
| Disintegrating Oral Tablet | a tablet dissolved in the mouth to release medication |
| Douche | an irrigation solution intended for use in the vagina |
| Drug Implant | a solid form inserted into the body that releases medication over time |
| Dry Powder Inhaler | a powdered medication inhaled as a measured dose |
| Effervescent Oral Tablet | a solid dosage form containing mixtures of acids (e.g., citric acid, tartaric acid) and sodium bicarbonate, which release carbon dioxide when dissolved in water; it is intended to be dissolved or dispersed in water before oral administration |
| Enema | an irrigation solution intended to cleanse the bowel or administer diagnostic drugs |
| Extended Release Oral Capsule | a capsule that allows medication to be released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
| Extended Release Oral Tablet | a tablet whose contents are slowly released over an extended period of time at a controlled rate |
| Extended Release Suspension | a suspension that allows for a timed or controlled release of the solute |
| Gas for Inhalation | a gas that can be breathed into the nose or mouth |
| Granules for Oral Solution | granules to be reconstituted with solvent just before dispensing to form a solution intended to be taken by mouth |
| Granules for Oral Suspension | granules to be reconstituted with diluent prior to administration to form a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
| Inhalation Powder | a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled |
| Inhalation Solution | a solution intended to be inhaled |
| Inhalation Spray | a spray intended to be inhaled |
| Inhalation Suspension | a suspension intended to be inhaled |
| Injectable Foam | a foam intended to be injected |
| Injectable Solution | a multiple use solution or reconstituted powder intended to be injected |
| Injectable Suspension | a multiple use suspension or reconstituted powder intended to be injected |
| Injection | a single use sterile solution, suspension, or reconstituted powder intended for parenteral use |
| Intraperitoneal Solution | a solution intended for use in the peritoneal cavity |
| Intratracheal Suspension | a suspension intended for use in the trachea |
| Intrauterine System | a drug delivery system inserted and left in the uterus to provide uniform release of drugs over several years |
| Intravesical Solution | a solution intended for instillation into the bladder |
| Intravesical Suspension | a suspension intended for instillation into the bladder |
| Irrigation Solution | a solution intended for use as a flushing or rinsing agent |
| Jet Injector | a single use solution or a suspension contained in a needle free injection system |
| Medicated Bar Soap | a bar of soap containing medication |
| Medicated Liquid Soap | a liquid containing a detergent and a medication |
| Medicated Pad | a non-adhesive patch used to apply medication (see also Medicated Patch and Transdermal System) |
| Medicated Patch | an adhesive patch that delivers medication locally to the area beneath the patch (see also Transdermal System and Medicated Tape) |
| Medicated Shampoo | a medicated liquid soap intended for use on hair |
| Medicated Tape | an adhesive tape used to apply medication (see also Medicated Patch and Transdermal System) |
| Metered Dose Inhaler | a liquid medication delivered as a mist to be inhaled as a measured dose |
| Metered Dose Nasal Spray | a nasal solution intended for use in the nasal cavity delivered by a spray as a measured dose (see also Nasal Spray & Nasal Inhalant) |
| Mouthwash | an oral solution intended to be used as a rinse or for irrigation. This includes oral solutions that are applied to the teeth |
| Mucosal Spray | a spray intended for use on the mucous membranes |
| Mucous Membrane Topical Solution | an oral solution intended for use on the mucous membranes |
| Nasal Gel | a gel intended for use on or in the nasal cavity |
| Nasal Inhalant | a medication intended to be inhaled through the nose |
| Nasal Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the nose |
| Nasal Powder | a powder intended for use in the nasal cavity |
| Nasal Solution | a solution intended for use on the nasal mucosa |
| Nasal Spray | a nasal solution intended for use in the nasal cavity delivered by a spray (see also Metered Dose Nasal Spray & Nasal Inhalant) |
| Ophthalmic Cream | a cream intended for use in the eye |
| Ophthalmic Gel | a gel intended for use on or in the eye |
| Ophthalmic Irrigation Solution | an irrigation solution intended for use in the eye |
| Ophthalmic Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the eye |
| Ophthalmic Solution | a solution intended for use in the eye |
| Ophthalmic Spray | a spray intended for use in the eye |
| Ophthalmic Suspension | a suspension intended for use in the eye |
| Oral Capsule | a capsule taken by mouth |
| Oral Cream | a cream intended for use on or in the mouth |
| Oral Film | a thin sheet placed in the oral cavity and contains one or more layers |
| Oral Flakes | a collection of small, flat, thin, pieces of matter |
| Oral Foam | a foam intended to be administered into the mouth |
| Oral Gel | a gel intended for use on or in the oral cavity |
| Oral Granules | granules intended to be taken by mouth |
| Oral Lozenge | a solid mass intended to be held in the mouth to allow for slow dissolution |
| Oral Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the mouth |
| Oral Paste | a paste to be taken or used orally |
| Oral Pellet | a small rounded body |
| Oral Powder | a powder given orally, often sprinkled on or mixed with food. Not for powders mixed with liquids |
| Oral Solution | a solution intended to be taken by mouth. For solutions applied to the teeth, use Mouthwash |
| Oral Spray | a spray intended to be applied into the oral cavity |
| Oral Suspension | a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
| Oral Tablet | a tablet containing medicated materials to be taken by mouth |
| Oral Wafer | a thin, cookie-like, baked form |
| Otic Gel | a gel intended for use in the ear |
| Otic Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the ear |
| Otic Solution | a solution intended for use in the ear |
| Otic Suspension | a suspension intended for use in the ear |
| Pack | a package that contains multiple drugs, or drugs designed to be administered in a specified sequence |
| Paste | a smooth, viscous mixture of material; semisolid in nature |
| Pen Injector | a single or multiple use solution or suspension contained in a mechanical injection system used to administer the drug through a needle manually inserted into the skin |
| Powder Spray | a powder delivered on the skin as a spray |
| Powder for Intravesical Solution | a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended to be administered via the bladder |
| Powder for Intravesical Suspension | a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a suspension intended to be administered via the bladder |
| Powder for Nasal Solution | a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended for use on the nasal mucosa |
| Powder for Oral Solution | a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended to be taken by mouth |
| Powder for Oral Suspension | a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
| Powder for Pyelocalyceal Solution | a powder, which, upon the addition of suitable vehicles, yields a solution intended to be administered via the renal pelvis and calices |
| Prefilled Syringe | a single use solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe |
| Rectal Cream | a cream intended for use in or around the rectum |
| Rectal Foam | a foam intended for use in the rectum |
| Rectal Gel | a gel intended for use in or around the rectum |
| Rectal Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the rectum |
| Rectal Solution | a solution intended for use in the rectum |
| Rectal Spray | a spray intended to be used in or around the rectum |
| Rectal Suppository | a suppository intended to be inserted into the rectum |
| Sublingual Film | a thin sheet placed under the tongue until dissolved and contains one or more layers |
| Sublingual Powder | a powder intended for use under the tongue |
| Sublingual Tablet | a tablet held under the tongue 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 |
| Tablet for Oral Suspension | a tablet to be reconstituted with diluent prior to administration to form a suspension intended to be taken by mouth |
| Toothpaste | a paste intended to be used in cleaning teeth |
| Topical Cream | a cream intended to be used on the skin |
| Topical Foam | a foam intended for use on the skin |
| Topical Gel | a gel intended for use on the skin |
| Topical Liquefied Gas | a gas that is cooled or pressurized to its liquid form and used topically on the skin for cryotherapy or freezing skin lesions |
| Topical Lotion | a lotion intended for use on the skin |
| Topical Oil | an oil intended to be applied on the skin |
| Topical Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the skin |
| Topical Powder | a powder intended for use on the outside surface of the body |
| Topical Solution | a solution intended for use on a surface (do not use for Oral Solutions) |
| Topical Spray | a spray intended for use on the skin |
| Topical Suspension | a suspension intended for external application on the skin |
| Transdermal System | an adhesive patch that delivers medication at a set rate systemically over a defined period of time (see also Medicated Patch) |
| Urethral Suppository | a suppository intended to be inserted into the urethra |
| Vaginal Cream | a cream intended for use in or around the vagina |
| Vaginal Film | a thin sheet placed on the inner lining of the vagina until dissolved and contains one or more layers |
| Vaginal Foam | a foam intended for use in the vagina |
| Vaginal Gel | a gel intended for use in or around the vagina |
| Vaginal Insert | a solid form (tablet, capsule, or suppository) intended to be inserted into the vagina |
| Vaginal Ointment | a ointment intended for use on or in the vagina |
| Vaginal System | a pliable delivery system surrounded by a polymeric membrane that provides controlled drug release to the vagina |
Obsolete Dose Forms
- 12 hour Extended Release Capsule
- 12 hour Extended Release Tablet
- 16 Hour Transdermal Patch
- 24 Hour Extended Release Capsule
- 24 Hour Extended Release Tablet
- 24 Hour Transdermal Patch
- 72 Hour Transdermal Patch
- Augmented Topical Cream
- Augmented Topical Gel
- Augmented Topical Lotion
- Augmented Topical Ointment
- Bar
- Bar Soap
- Beads
- Biweekly Transdermal Patch
- Caplet
- Capsule
- Cement
- Chewable Bar
- Cream
- Disk
- Drug-Eluting Contact Lens
- Elixir
- Foam
- Gas
- Gel
- Inhalant
- Intramuscular Solution
- Intramuscular Suspension
- Intrathecal Suspension
- Intravenous Solution
- Intravenous Suspension
- Liquid
- Liquid Cleanser
- Lotion
- Nasal Cream
- Nasal Inhaler
- Nasal Suspension
- Oil
- Ointment
- Oral Crystals
- Oral Tablet with Sensor
- Orderable Drug Form
- Otic Cream
- Patch
- Powder
- Prefilled Applicator
- Pudding
- Rectal Powder
- Rectal Suspension
- Solid
- Solution
- Spray
- Suppository
- Suspension
- Syrup
- Tablet
- Topical Cake
- Urethral Gel
- Vaginal Powder
- Vaginal Sponge
- Vaginal Spray
- Vaginal Suppository
- Vaginal Tablet
- Weekly Transdermal Patch
Last Reviewed: August 7, 2025