Which solid medications melt at body temperature?

Which solid medications melt at body temperature?

• A. Tablets
• B. Suppositories
• C. Capsules
• D. Inhalants

Answer: (B)

Melt at body temperature means the dosage form is designed to liquefy when it reaches about 37°C, releasing the drug. Suppositories are made with a meltable base (such as cocoa butter) that stays solid until it reaches body temperature, then softens or melts to release the medication for absorption through the rectal or vaginal mucosa. This melting behavior is what enables rapid drug release from a solid form at normal body warmth. Tablets and capsules are designed to disintegrate and dissolve in body fluids rather than melt, so they don’t rely on melting at body temperature. Inhalants aren’t solid dosage forms that melt in the body; they are typically powders or liquids delivered as aerosols or gases, not melted solids.

Melt at body temperature means the dosage form is designed to liquefy when it reaches about 37°C, releasing the drug. Suppositories are made with a meltable base (such as cocoa butter) that stays solid until it reaches body temperature, then softens or melts to release the medication for absorption through the rectal or vaginal mucosa. This melting behavior is what enables rapid drug release from a solid form at normal body warmth.

Tablets and capsules are designed to disintegrate and dissolve in body fluids rather than melt, so they don’t rely on melting at body temperature. Inhalants aren’t solid dosage forms that melt in the body; they are typically powders or liquids delivered as aerosols or gases, not melted solids.