Vehicle
Vehicle (Medicine)
Vehicle (pronounced: /ˈviːɪkəl/) is a term used in pharmacology to refer to the substance in which an active medicinal substance is dissolved or mixed, to facilitate its administration to the patient. The term is derived from the Latin word vehiculum, meaning a conveyance or transporter.
Etymology
The term vehicle comes from the Latin vehiculum, which means a conveyance or transporter. This is in reference to the role of the vehicle in 'transporting' the active medicinal substance to the body.
Types of Vehicles
There are several types of vehicles used in medicine, including:
- Aqueous solutions: These are solutions in which water is the solvent. They are commonly used for oral and injectable medications.
- Oils: Oils are used as vehicles for topical medications, such as creams and ointments.
- Alcohols: Alcohols are used as vehicles for certain types of medications, such as tinctures.
- Gels: Gels are semi-solid vehicles used for topical medications.
Related Terms
- Excipient: An excipient is a substance that is included in a medication to help deliver the active ingredient. This can include vehicles, as well as other substances such as binders, fillers, and preservatives.
- Solvent: A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. In pharmacology, the vehicle often acts as the solvent.
- Dosage form: The dosage form of a medication refers to the physical form in which the medication is produced and administered, such as a tablet, capsule, liquid, or injection. The choice of vehicle can influence the dosage form.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vehicle
- Wikipedia's article - Vehicle
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