How is a tablet defined in pharmaceutical terms?

A tablet is defined in pharmaceutical terms as a solid medication designed to dissolve in the stomach. This definition captures the essential characteristics of tablets, which are formulated to deliver medication in a convenient, easily manageable form. Tablets are composed of active ingredients and excipients, which together form a solid dosage form that is capable of disintegration and dissolution upon ingestion.

When a tablet is swallowed, it typically breaks down in the acidic environment of the stomach, allowing the active ingredients to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract. This formulation is designed to provide a specific dosage of medication, ensuring consistency and reliability in treatment.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of a tablet. Injectable medications refer to liquid formulations intended for administration through a syringe or other delivery systems, while a liquid suspension describes medications that are suspended in a liquid medium. Powdered forms of medication may require reconstitution or mixing before administration but do not represent the solid form of a tablet.