The major difference between hard gelatin and soft gelatin capsules is that the hard gelatin capsules are commonly used for powder, granules, or solid fill, while soft gelatin capsules are used for semisolid, oil, or liquid fill.
The capsules are solid pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral administration that come in hard or soft shells in various shapes and sizes according to application and use. The capsule shells are made of gelatin and other materials that disintegrate in the presence of digestive fluids and release the drug content.
There are two types of capsules, hard gelatin capsules, and soft gelatin capsules, which depend on the physical condition of the drug being filled and contain one or more active components with excipients.
Difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules:
- Hard gelatin capsules are prepared in two parts consisting of a body and a cap while soft gelatin capsules are prepared as a single piece of gelatin.
- Hard gelatin capsules are mainly used to fill dried and powdered materials, while soft gelatin capsules are used mainly for oil-based solutions or medicines.
- The ratio of gelatin and plasticizer used in a hard gelatin capsule is 0.4: 1, while for soft gelatin is 0.8: 1.
- Hard gelatin capsules have different sizes, while soft gelatin capsules are available in some limited sizes.
- A variety of processes and machines are used in the manufacture of hard gelatin capsules, while a variety of processes and machines are used not required to manufacture soft gelatin capsules.
- Hard gelatin capsules are prepared of hard gelatin, plasticizer, colorings, and titanium dioxide, whereas soft gelatin capsule is made of soft gelatin, preservatives, sugars, plasticizer, colorings, opacifier, etc.
- Hard gelatin capsules are generally available in a cylindrical shape, whereas soft gelatin capsules are available in oval, round, and tube-like shapes.
- Hard gelatin capsules are unlikely to leak, but soft gelatin capsules have a greater risk of leakage.
- In certain conditions, the hard gelatin capsules can be opened, but the soft gelatin capsule is sealed, it needs to be swallowed whole.
Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.
What is the major advantage of capsules?
The major advantage of capsules is that by masking the taste and odor of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and excipients making them easy to swallow.
What are the types of tablet coatings?
The coating can protect the tablet from odor, taste, moisture, light, oxidation, and control the drug release. Various types of tablet coatings are used in pharmaceutical manufacturing such as gelatin coating, film coating, sugar coating, enteric coating, compression coating, dip coating, electrostatic coating, and rotary-dye coating.
What are the types of granulation processes?
The granulation process is broadly classified into two types i.e. dry granulation and wet granulation.
What are the difference between tablets and capsules?
The major difference between a tablet and a capsule is that the tablet is a compressed powder in solid form, while the capsule contains a powder or jelly enclosed in a dissolvable gelatin shell.
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