{"id":17213,"date":"2020-12-21T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-21T14:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=17213"},"modified":"2025-12-26T12:34:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T17:34:14","slug":"pill-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pill-form\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the different types of pills?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oral medications come in many different forms, from tablets to liquids and even powders. Each one has benefits and drawbacks in terms of how well it works, how easy it is to use, and safety. But overall, they have the same goal: to treat or prevent illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drug form and duration<\/span><\/h2>\n

So why do medications come in different forms? \u201cThe main purpose of putting a medication in a specific form is getting the drug to the site where it needs to be,\u201d says <\/span>Gina J. Ryan<\/span>, Pharm.D., medical sciences liaison at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Atlanta.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Ryan explains that some medications may not be effective in certain parts of the body. For example, stomach enzymes that help to break down protein in food also destroy some drugs. \u201cThat’s why you may have to give an injection,\u201d Dr. Ryan says. \u201cOr, there are some drugs that you give on the skin.\u201d Certain medications, such as <\/span>insulin<\/span><\/a>, are only available in non-oral form. While others, such as <\/span>cancer medications<\/span><\/a> and birth control, are available in multiple forms, including injections, liquids, pills, and topical treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n

A medication\u2019s form can also affect its duration or how long it takes the body to break it down. Patches and extended-release tablets slowly release drugs into the body, increasing the product\u2019s duration.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the different forms of oral medication?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Injections and patches are both forms of medication that bypass the gastrointestinal tract. Oral medications, such as oral contraceptives, benzodiazepines, central nervous system stimulants, and heart disease and high blood pressure medications, are taken by mouth. They typically don\u2019t start working until they reach the stomach or bowel and enter the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tablets<\/span><\/h3>\n

Tablets are medications mixed with a binder powder, then molded and pressed into a tablet form. Most tablets have a thin coating for easy swallowing, to help the drug dissolve in the stomach, or to protect the stomach. Enteric-coated tablets are absorbed in the small intestine. There are different types of tablets:<\/span><\/p>\n