Chrominfo: Difference between tablets and capsules

The major difference between tablets and capsules is that the tablet is prepared by compressing solids such as granules and powders, and the capsule consists of solids or semi-solids, or oily drugs enclosed in a dissolvable gelatin container.

The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are only effective when they reach their site of action and hence according to the physical form of the medication (dosage forms) different routes of drug administration are used.

Capsules and tablets most commonly prescribed oral dosage form by doctors. Both are two different forms of medicine that we take when we are sick. The tablet is known as the most commonly used oral pharmaceutical dosage. Commonly, the compression process is used to manufacture a solid dose of the tablet. About two-thirds of all medicines given to a patient by doctors are solid doses, and half of them are the tablets.

To encapsulate drugs, we use a shell or a container called a capsule. A capsule is a two-part shell container, which is soft and hard-shell and is usually made of gelatin. Capsules are odorless and tasteless and are easy to swallow for patients, especially for children. The major advantage of capsules is that they can be easy to swallow.

The another major difference between a tablet and a capsule is that the tablet is a kind of medicine that we can cut in two or crush it, while we have to swallow the capsule without cutting it because it cannot crush or cut.

Depending on the administration, appearance, production process, advantages and disadvantages, some points of differences between tablets and capsules are as follows.

Tablets can be prepared with various shapes and sizes. The capsule comes with a specific size and shape.
A tablet contains compressed powder in solid form. A capsule contains powder or jelly which is enclosed in a gelatin shell.
Sometimes the tablet is difficult to swallow, especially the larger tablet. The capsules are considered easy to swallow.
The tablets are inexpensive because its manufacturing process is simple. The capsules are expensive because their manufacturing process is less complex than the tablets.
Tablets have more potential than capsules. Capsules have less potential than tablets.
The tablet is usually taken orally, sublingually, intra-vaginally, and rectally. The capsule is usually administered orally.
The tablets can be used as a continuous-release as it can be coated with sugar or similar substances that mean the drug will not immediately enter the bloodstream. But, normally the capsule is entered directly into the bloodstream.
The tablets have a longer shelf life and keep their potential for a long time as compared with capsules.
Gelatin shell can protect the medicine from light, moisture, and air, which is not possible in tablets.
The tablets are formulated with a limited number of drugs and excipients but in capsules, many drugs and ingredients are mixed.
Tablets can only be prepared with solids such as powders, but in capsules, we can fill gel or semi-solid materials.
The tablet needs to be coated with a sweetening material to protect it from taste and smell, but the capsule does not need to be coated, as the shell does not have taste and smell.
The capsule is easily digested easily and quickly, as compared with tablets.