Difference Between Dose, Dosage, Dosage form and Dosage Regimen

1. Dose

– Definition: The specific amount or quantity of a medication administered at one time

– Examples:
– 500mg of Paracetamol
– 10mg of Amlodipine
– 20 units of Insulin

– Key Point: Dose refers to the exact amount of drug given at once

2. Dosage

– Definition: The amount of medication and the frequency of administration over a period

– Examples:
– 500mg twice daily
– 10mg once daily
– 20 units three times per day
– Key Point: Dosage includes both the amount and time component

3. Dosage Form

– Definition: The physical form in which a drug is produced and dispensed

– Examples:
– Tablets
– Capsules
– Liquid suspensions
– Injections
– Patches
– Unit dose packages (commonly used in long-term care facilities)

– Key Point: Different dosage forms are designed for different routes of administration and patient needs

4. Dosage Regimen

– Definition: The complete schedule of medication including:
– Dose amount
– Frequency of administration
– Duration of treatment
– Route of administration

– Examples:
– Amoxicillin 500mg capsules, taken three times daily for 7 days
– Metformin 850mg tablets, one tablet twice daily with meals, long-term use
– Prednisolone 5mg tablets, two tablets in the morning for 5 days, then one tablet for 5 days, then half tablet for 5 days

– Key Point: Dosage regimen is the complete therapeutic plan that healthcare providers prescribe

Real-World Example:
Let’s take the example of Amoxicillin antibiotic treatment:

– Dose: 500mg (the amount given at once)
– Dosage: 500mg three times per day
– Dosage Form: Capsules
– Dosage Regimen: 500mg capsules taken three times daily for 7 days, to be taken with or without food

Read also:

• How to Calculate Maximum Daily Dose of a Drug?
• How do We Ensure that Split Tablets Maintain Dose Accuracy and Stability?

Resource Person: Md. Marufur Rahman Moni