Pill (pharmacy)
Encyclopedia
A pill is a small, round, solid pharmaceutical
oral dosage form that was in use before the advent of tablet
s and capsules. Pills were made by mixing the active ingredients with an excipient
such as glucose
syrup
in a mortar and pestle
to form a paste, then rolling the mass into a long cylindrical shape (called a "pipe"), and dividing it into equal portions, which were then rolled into balls, and often coated with sugar to make them more palatable.
In colloquial usage, tablets, capsules, and caplet
s are still often referred to as "pills" collectively.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
oral dosage form that was in use before the advent of tablet
Tablet
A tablet is a pharmaceutical dosage form. It comprises a mixture of active substances and excipients, usually in powder form, pressed or compacted from a powder into a solid dose...
s and capsules. Pills were made by mixing the active ingredients with an excipient
Excipient
An excipient is generally a pharmacologically inactive substance used as a carrier for the active ingredients of a medication. In many cases, an "active" substance may not be easily administered and absorbed by the human body; in such cases the substance in question may be dissolved into or...
such as glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
syrup
Syrup
In cooking, a syrup is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but showing little tendency to deposit crystals...
in a mortar and pestle
Mortar and pestle
A mortar and pestle is a tool used to crush, grind, and mix solid substances . The pestle is a heavy bat-shaped object, the end of which is used for crushing and grinding. The mortar is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, ceramic or stone...
to form a paste, then rolling the mass into a long cylindrical shape (called a "pipe"), and dividing it into equal portions, which were then rolled into balls, and often coated with sugar to make them more palatable.
In colloquial usage, tablets, capsules, and caplet
Caplet
Caplet can refer to one of the following:*A short, half-round fencing cape with a collar, worn over one sholder. A cord , ran from one end of the collar to the other, allowing it to be secured around the man's chest...
s are still often referred to as "pills" collectively.
External links
- Duke University History of Medicine collections
- Pills and pill-making - Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain