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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Dosage Forms

Suspension

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/səˈspɛnʃən/nounCommon term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, suspension means: A liquid dosage form in which fine particles of a drug are spread through a liquid without dissolving, so it must be shaken before each dose.

In Turkish: süspansiyon

How it is used

Common for children's medicines, especially antibiotics. Some come as a powder that is reconstituted with water before use; once mixed, they keep only for a short time and some must be stored in the fridge. The standard label wording is 'Shake well before use'.

Example sentences

  1. Shake the suspension well and use the oral syringe to measure each dose.

  2. Once mixed, the antibiotic suspension only keeps for a limited time, so check the date on the label.

Common collocations

  • oral suspension
  • shake the suspension
  • reconstitute a suspension
  • antibiotic suspension
  • dosage formThe physical form in which a medicine is made and given, such as a tablet, capsule, syrup, cream, injection, patch or suppository.
  • oralTaken by mouth and swallowed, so that the medicine is absorbed through the digestive system; the most common route for medicines.
  • antibioticA medicine that kills bacteria or stops them from growing, used to treat or prevent bacterial infections; antibiotics do not work against viruses.
  • expiry dateThe date printed on a medicine pack after which the manufacturer no longer guarantees that the product is fully effective and safe to use.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Dosage Forms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.