Why capsules are used

Pullulan capsules. These vegetarian capsules are made from tapioca, which is naturally fermented into pullulan. They provide a high barrier to oxygen. Polyvinl acetate PVA capsules. PEG when used as single vehicle is not compatible with other hard capsules. The oxygen permeability of PVA is low, resulting in a high barrier to oxygen.

Liquid-filled hard capsules LFHC. LFHC can also be filled with tablets, pellets, or other capsules as combination fill.

LFHC can be used for moisture-sensitive drugs. These can be a cost-effective alternative to some soft gelatin capsule products and can also enhance bioavailability and improve product stability. Liquid encapsulation technology helps overcome many problems associated with the use of softgel capsules including high cost, waste, cross-contamination, migration of the drug into the capsule shell, and issues with low bioavailability. Liquid-filled and semi-solid capsules by their nature are resistant to crushing and powdering and therefore provide a good basis for developing an abuse-resistant formulation.

These capsules can also be enteric coated. HPMC hard capsules do not become brittle when they lose water 2. Soft gelatin capsules SGC. SGC have soft, globular, gelatin shells somewhat thicker than that of hard gelatin capsules.

The gelation is plasticized by the addition of glycerin, sorbitol, or a similar polyol. It may contain preservative to prevent the fungal growth. Large-scale production methods are generally required for the preparation of SGC.

Consumer preference. The growing interest in capsules as a formulation is consumer driven. Consumers prefer capsules because they are tasteless, odorless, and easier to swallow. Capsules are also considered to work faster and better. This preference has prompted pharmaceutical manufacturers to market products in capsule form even if the product already has been produced in tablet form. Rapid dissolution.

Most filled capsules disintegrate in 5—10 minutes. Some of the immediate release tablets may have much lower disintegration time. Once a capsule disintegrates, however, dissolution may be faster and dissolution levels achieved may be similar to tablets at 15 minutes.

HPMC capsule shells can lead to rapid dissolution. The outside of a hard-shelled capsule consists of two halves. One half fits inside the other to form a closed casing. The inside is filled with dry medication in powder or pellet form.

Other hard-shelled capsules contain medication in liquid form. These are known as liquid-filled hard capsules LFHC. Airtight LFHCs make it possible for a single pill to contain more than one drug. Soft-gel capsules have a slightly different appearance than hard-shelled capsules. Also known as liquid gels, they contain medication suspended in gelatin or a similar substance. This substance is easily digested, at which point active ingredients are released and absorbed.

When you do this, you alter the way the drug is absorbed in your body. Although rare, it can result in not getting enough of the medication or, in contrast, getting too much. This can lead to under-dosing and possibly other complications. Overdosing is more likely with extended-release pills. When you tamper with the pill, the active ingredient may be released all at once as opposed to gradually.

Many people find swallowing pills — especially large ones — uncomfortable. Both tablets and capsules present swallowing challenges.

Tablets are stiff and hard, and some shapes may be more difficult to swallow. Some capsules, particularly soft gels, can be large. Tablets tend to contain more ingredients than capsules, potentially increasing the likelihood of a sensitivity or an allergy. Most capsules also contain additives. Hard-shelled capsules contain fewer extra ingredients, while soft gels tend to have a higher number of synthetic ingredients.

Tablets and capsules are two common types of oral medication. Porcine options, on the other hand, offer plasticity and clarity characteristics. Gelatin hard capsules are ideal for powdered or granulated ingredients. These ingredients can be easily filled in the two-piece hardcaps. A standard gelatin hard capsule dissolves in the stomach, under normal conditions, within twenty to thirty minutes after swallowing.

Depending on the application, different gelatin types or additional process steps can influence the dissolution process. Some gelatin types dissolve faster than others when they are in contact with acidic fluids and higher temperatures stomach conditions. For other applications, as for example pain relievers it is necessary to have an even faster dissolving shell.

For applications where the drug is targeting the intestines a slower dissolving shell is required. Like their softgel counterparts, gelatin hard capsules offer value to consumers and producers alike. These advantages are due largely due to their main component, gelatin. Gelatin means "stiff" and is a colorless dry powder that has been used for centuries in a host of food and pharmaceutical uses.

Tablets are more likely to cause irritation to your gut and they can be slower acting. Because tablets are more likely to break down inconsistently, they can lead to a lower absorption rate.

Many people also find tablets to be less palatable. Capsules are less durable than tablets and can be affected by humidity. Capsules are also more expensive, both to produce and purchase, and can contain animal products such as gelatine which makes them unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians. Neither type of medication is safer than the other — both present only minor risks.

Both tablets and capsules are an accessible form of medication. While they usually have a similar purpose, they do present differences that are worth considering. If you have any concerns about the medication you are taking, do not hesitate to get in touch with a health professional. Express Pharmacy. Reviewed by.