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

Inhalation Solution

a solution intended to be inhaled

Inhalation Spray

a spray intended to be inhaled

Inhalation Suspension

a suspension 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

Inhalation 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)

Inhalation Spray

a spray intended to be inhaled

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)

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 Metered Dose Nasal Spray & Nasal Inhalant)

Ophthalmic Spray

a spray intended for use in the eye

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
Liquids

Cream

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

Ophthalmic Cream

a cream intended for use in the eye

Oral Cream

a cream intended for use on or in the mouth

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

Injectable Foam

a foam intended to be injected

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

Solution

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

Inhalation Solution

a solution intended to be inhaled

Injectable Solution

a multiple use solution or reconstituted powder intended to be injected

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

Cartridge

a single or multiple use solution or a suspension contained in a vessel used with a separate reusable injection system

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

Jet Injector

a single use solution or a suspension contained in a needle free injection system

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

Prefilled Syringe

a single use solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe

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

Mucous 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

Rectal Solution

a solution intended for use in the rectum

Topical Solution (Tincture; Liniment)

a solution intended for use on a surface (do not use for Oral Solutions)

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
Pack a package that contains multiple drugs, or drugs designed to be administered in a specified sequence

Suspension

a nonhomogenous mixture of one or more substances not completely dissolved in a liquid

Inhalation Suspension

a suspension intended to be inhaled

Injectable Suspension

a multiple use suspension or reconstituted powder intended to be injected

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

Cartridge

a single or multiple use solution or a suspension contained in a vessel used with a separate reusable injection system

Injection

a single use sterile solution, suspension, or reconstituted powder intended for parenteral use

Jet Injector

a single use solution or a suspension contained in a needle free injection system

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

Prefilled Syringe

a single use solution or suspension intended to be injected in a syringe

Intratracheal Suspension

a suspension intended for use in the trachea

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

Topical Suspension

a suspension intended for external application on the skin
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

Capsule

a contained dosage form filled with solid or liquid ingredients that can be poured or squeezed

Oral Capsule

a capsule taken by mouth

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)

Extended Release Oral Capsule

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

Chewing Gum

an insoluble material that is chewed to release medication

Oral 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

numerous particles forming a larger unit

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)

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

Oral Granules

granules intended to be taken by mouth

Drug-Eluting Contact Lens

a contact lens intended for use in the eye that releases a medication

Drug Implant

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

Intrauterine System

a drug delivery system inserted and left in the uterus to provide uniform release of drugs over several years

Oral 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 Medicated Patch and Transdermal System)

Medicated Tape

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

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 Film

a thin sheet placed in the oral cavity and contains one or more layers

Buccal Film

a thin sheet placed on the inner lining of the cheek until dissolved and contains one or more layers

Sublingual Film

a thin sheet placed under the tongue until dissolved and contains one or more layers

Paste

a smooth, viscous mixture of material; semisolid in nature

Oral Paste

a paste to be taken or used orally

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

Medicated Patch

an adhesive patch that delivers medication locally to the area beneath the patch (see also Transdermal System and Medicated Tape)

Transdermal System

an adhesive patch that delivers medication at a set rate systemically over a defined period of time (see also Medicated Patch)

Oral Pellet

a small rounded body

Oral Wafer

a thin, cookie-like, baked form

Powder

a loose state of particulate matter

Inhalation Powder (Powdered Dose Inhaler)

a powdered medication that is intended to be inhaled

Nasal Powder

a powder intended for use in the nasal cavity

Oral Powder

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

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

Sublingual Powder

a powder intended for use under the tongue

Topical Powder

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

Sponge

a solid composed of a porous, interlacing, absorbent, usually shape-retaining material containing a medication, intended for temporary insertion into a body cavity

Vaginal Sponge

a disposable sponge saturated with a medication to be placed in the vagina, covering the cervix

Suppository

a solid drug delivery vehicle that melts at normal body temperature

Rectal Suppository

a suppository intended to be inserted into the rectum

Urethral Suppository

a suppository intended to be inserted into the urethra

Vaginal Insert

a solid form (tablet, capsule, or suppository) intended to be inserted into the vagina

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

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

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

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

Extended Release Oral Tablet

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

Sublingual Tablet

a tablet held under the tongue until dissolved

Tablet for Oral Suspension

a tablet to be reconstituted with diluent prior to administration to form a suspension intended to be taken by mouth

Vaginal Film

a thin sheet placed on the inner lining of the vagina until dissolved and contains one or more layers

Vaginal Insert

a solid form (tablet, capsule, or suppository) intended to be inserted into the vagina

Vaginal System

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

 

Last Reviewed: June 15, 2023