Pill

A pill (also called a tablet) is a hard, usually round or elongated solid form of medicine taken by mouth. It contains an active pharmaceutical ingredient and other substances that help the drug dissolve and be absorbed by the body.

In Somali, the term "kiniin" is commonly used to refer broadly to all hard medicines taken by mouth, including tablets and capsules. Within pharmacy, distinctions exist based on how they are manufactured.

Types

A tablet is a solid dosage form that has been compressed. Some are coated with a covering to make swallowing easier or to prevent the drug from irritating the stomach and allow it to dissolve in the intestines instead. A capsule is a gelatin or plant-based shell containing powder or liquid. There are also pills that are dissolved, placed under the tongue, or mixed with water.

How it works

When swallowed, a pill dissolves in the stomach or intestines, and the active ingredient enters the bloodstream and travels to where it acts. The time it takes to work and the amount that reaches the blood depend on how it was made, whether food was eaten, and other factors. Some are designed to release the medicine gradually over hours.

Use and safety

Taking pills requires following the prescribed dose and timing. Exceeding the recommended amount can cause harm, particularly to the liver or kidneys. Different drugs taken together can also interact. Health authorities emphasize obtaining medicines from recognized sources, as counterfeit drugs exist in many places.