Saturday, November 28, 2020

Principle and types of tablet coating equipment

Tablet coating machines work on the principle of applying coating material as a solution to a group of tablets in a bed that can move horizontally or vertically. Tablet coating machine comes in different types and is used to coat the tablets with a thin layer of the coating material.

Tablets and capsules are solid dosage forms in which one or more drugs (API) and excipients are enclosed. The tablets are one of the most used and prescribed dosage forms since it has many advantages over other dosage forms it can available in different size, shape, color, weight, dissolution properties, and method of delivery.
Tablet coating in pharmaceutical manufacturing can serve several purposes. The main purpose of the tablet coating is to mask the unpleasant taste, odor, and color of the active pharmaceutical ingredients, make the tablet easier to swallow for the elder and children, to maintain the release profile of the tablets, although it is originally used to help maintain the integrity of the tablet.
A tablet coating machine is equipment that is commonly used in pharmaceutical industries for coats the outer surface of a tablet using a solution of the coating material. They are available in different types as per the application, desired coating process, and working principle.
Principle of the tablet coating machine:
A tablet coating equipment is very efficient in terms of coating the outside floor of a tablet using a unique thin film of the coating material. The basic principle of tablet coating is that the coating material in the form of solution is applied to a moving bed of the tablet. The tablets to be coated are placed in a closed drum and rotated in an orbital manner by impact from a streamlined plate. The coating material is sprayed automatically on the tablets during this orbital motion which avoids an additional coating. It also uses hot air to remove solvents and maintains the dryness of the tablet.
Different types of tablet coating equipment:
Depending on the working principle, there are three types of machines are used in the tablet coating.
1. Standard coating pan
2. Perforated coating pan
3. Fluidized-bed coater

Standard coating pan:
The standard coating pan is a circular metal pan positioned at 40 degrees, 8-60 inches in diameter, and angularly placed on a stand rotated by the motor on its horizontal axis. Heated air is directed to the tablet bed surface in the pan and is exhausted through ducts. The coating solution is sprayed to tablets by spraying or lading.
Perforated coating pan:
The perforated coating pan is fully perforated and it includes mixing blades. The inlet air is in contact with the top of the pan by a plenum. The plenum at the bottom of the pan dissipates the air.
Fluidized bed coater:
Fluid bed coaters are types of tablet coating equipment which are used in fluid materials by fluid bed technology. By this technology the particles are fluidized and the coating liquid is sprayed on the dried material. The low viscosity and small droplets of the spray medium make the sure uniform coating of the pharmaceutical product. The basic principle involved in this process can be either the bottom spray or the top spray or the tangent spray method.

Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What are the types of tablet coating?
There are several types of tablet coating such as sugar coating, enteric-coating, film-coating, compression coating, and electrostatic dry coating, etc.

What is the difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules?
The difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules is that hard gelatin capsules are used for solids, while soft gelatin capsules are used for liquid or semi-solid substances.

Why are tablets coated?
The coating is designed to mask the unpleasant taste, and odor of the drug, and it’s also designed to maintain the tablet collectively in the stomach and release it in the intestine.

What are the steps involved in tablet coating?
Batch identification and selection of recipe, loading or dispensing, warming, spraying, drying, cooling, and unloading are the processes that are involved in the coating.


Saturday, November 21, 2020

Principle of tablet coating

The basic principle of tablet coating is relatively simple where the application of the coating substance on a moving bed of the tablet with simultaneous use of hot air to evaporate the solvent.

The pharmaceutical solid dosage form consists of tablets, capsules, pellets, granules, sachets, caplets, powders, and pills, of which the tablet is the most commonly prescribed and used dosage form. The tablets come in different types and are coated for several causes such as to mask the unpleasant taste, odor, and color of the API, to provide physical and chemical protection to the medicine, and to control the release rate of the drug. 
What is a tablet-coating?
The coating is a highly advanced technique commonly used in pharmaceutical industries which is applied in several solid oral dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, and other solid dosage forms. Tablet coating is a method by which a thin layer of coating material is applied to the surface of a dosage form to get particular advantages.
Principle of tablet coating:
The tablet dosage forms are rotated continuously in a packed rotating-drum and coating material is automatically sprayed between the rotation according to process and parameters, at the same time hot air is supplied under negative pressure. The hot air enters through the core layers of the tablet so that the coating medium sprayed on the surface of the tablet cores will dry rapidly and uniformly, consequently creating a solid and smooth surface of the tablet.  
Different types of tablet coating: 
According to the nature and properties of different types of tablets, there are different types of coatings are used in pharmaceutical production.
1. Sugarcoating
2. Enteric coating
3. Film coating
4. Gelatin coating
5. Compression coating
6. Some other types of tablet coatings include dip coating, electrostatic coating, and rotary-die coating, etc.
Basic requirements of tablet coating:
  • To ensure a uniform, smooth coating, tablets should be dust-free.
  • Typically tablets to be coated are compressed with the punches and die set. This helps the applied coating material to easily cover the tablet.
  • Core tablets have to be more rigid than uncoated tablets since they will have to withstand additional processing tasks.
  • The material or solvent to be coated on the tablets needs to be inert.
Primary components involved in tablet coating: 
The primary components involved in tablet coating are as follows.
1. Properties of the tablet
2. Coating process
3. Equipment used in coatings
4. Coating process parameters
5. Facility and ancillary apparatus
6. Automation in the process of coating 
7. Coating composition

Objectives of tablet coating:
  • The major objectives of tablet coatings are as follows.
  • To mask the unpleasant taste and odor of the tablet
  • To increase patient compliance
  • To increase the mechanical strength of the dosage form
  • To provide physical and chemical protection for medicine and protect the drug from external environmental conditions such as air, moisture, and light
  • To include incompatible drugs together in a single tablet
  • To protect the drug from release in the gastric environment of the stomach
  • To make it easy to swallowing of large dosage forms
  • To modify and/or control drug release from tablets by making a delayed-release and sustained-release products
Different types of tablet coating equipment:
Depending on the working principle, there are three types of equipment are used in the tablet coating.
1. Standard coating pan
2. Perforated coating pan
3. Fluidized-bed coater

Tablet coating defects:
Coated tablets face many problems compared to uncoated tablets, as they go through different stages during the coating process. Some common tablet coating defects are as follows. 
  • Blistering
  • Blooming
  • Blushing
  • Chipping
  • Color variation
  • Cracking
  • Infilling
  • Orange Peel
  • Picking and sticking
  • Pitting
  • Roughness
Steps involved in tablet coating:
Generally, the coating process involves the following steps:
  • Batch identification and selection of recipe
  • Loading or dispensing 
  • Warming 
  • Spraying 
  • Drying 
  • Cooling 
  • Unloading
Advantages of tablet coating:
  • The major advantage of tablet coating is that it masks the unpleasant odor, taste, and color of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and controls the drug release profile.
  • It increases the stability of the product.
  • The coating can also enhance the mechanical integrity.
  • The coating creates a smooth finish on the tablet and makes it easy to swallow, especially for adults and children.
Disadvantages of tablet coating: 
  • The major disadvantage of tablet coating is that the process of coating is tedious and time-consuming, which makes it costly.
  • Tablet coating can interfere with the pharmacodynamic properties of the formulation.
  • Compared to other processes, it is a complex process, so a skilled person is needed to handle the instruments.
Commonly asked questions on tablet coating are as follows.

How many types of tablet coating are there?
Tablet coating has three major types such as sugar coating, film coating, and enteric coating, etc.

Why do we coat tablets?
The tablets are coated for several reasons such as it can control the release rate, protect the product from environmental conditions, and make the tablet easier to swallow, etc.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated tablets?
The major difference between coated and uncoated tablets is that the coated tablets have a thin layer of coating material is applied to the surface, whereas uncoated tablets don't require a special process after compression and are designed to provide rapid disintegration in the gastric fluid.

Which tablet coating is thin and dissolves rapidly?
The sugar coating on the surface of the tablet is finely coated and dissolves easily after swallowing.

What is tablet coating made from?
Tablet coating processes can include any mixtures of purified water, polymer, plasticizer, cellulose derivatives, colorants, polyvinyl, opacifiers, solvent, vehicle gums, and sugar, etc.


Thursday, November 12, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of tablet coating

Different types of coatings are required according to the design and properties of the tablet, and it has many advantages and disadvantages, let's check it out.  

The tablet is a solid dosage form which consists of a mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients, usually in powder form, compressed or compacted into a solid. The tablet is one of the most prescribed and preferred dosage forms as it has several advantages compared with other types of dosage forms. It is possible to formulate almost all drug molecules in a tablet and the manufacturing process of tablets is very simple and very versatile.
The coating is a process of adding an effectively dry, external layer of coating material to the surface of a dosage form to achieve specific advantages. Tablet coating is an important step involved in the manufacturing of tablets and it can be applied to a wide range of tablets. Tablets are usually coated with a coating solution consisting of a mixture of pigments, polymers, and excipients that are dissolved in water or an organic solvent to form a coating solution, subsequently sprayed in a pan-coater onto the tablets and dried by continuous hot air supply until a dry coating film is formed. 
Advantages of tablet coating:
  • The major advantage of tablet coating is that can control the release rate of the drug, and protects from the unpleasant taste and odor of the medicine.
  • The coating gives a smooth finish to the product makes it easy to swallow.
  • The coating enhances product acceptance and the appearance of the tablet.
  • The coating can reduce the frequency of dosing by providing controlled, sustained release.
  • It maintains physical or chemical drug integrity by protecting against humidity, heat, and temperature.
  • This protects the medicine from being disintegrated into acidic conditions of the stomach until reaching the intestine.
  • It can maintain the shape of the tablet and makes it tamper-resistant.  
Disadvantages of tablet coating:
  • The major disadvantage of tablet coating is that the coating process is tedious and time-consuming, which makes it expensive.
  • The pharmacodynamic properties of the formulation can interfere with the tablet coating.
  • The technique may often lead to several defects in the coating, such as chipping, cracks, etc.
  • The coating process is complex compared to other processes and therefore a trained person is required to handle this process.  

Commonly asked questions on dosage form are as follows.

What are the different types of tablet coating?
Several types of tablet coating are used in pharmaceutical manufacturing according to the properties and nature of tablets which are sugar coating, film coating, enteric coating, controlled release coating, specialized coating, compressed coating, electrostatic coating, dip coating, and vacuum film coating

What are the processes involved in the coating?
Loading/dispensing, warming, spraying, drying, cooling and unloading are the processes involved in the coating.

How many types of capsule filling machines are there?
Manual /hand operated capsule filling machine, semi-automatic capsule filling machine, and automatic capsule filling machine are three types of capsule filling machines.

What is the difference between tablets and capsules?
The major difference between tablets and capsules is that the capsules are the form of the medication we can't cut into two as drugs are enclosed in a gelatin shell whereas tablet is a form of compressed powder we can cut into two.


Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Difference between capsules and caplets

Capsules and caplets both are formulated to be easier to swallow. The major difference between capsules and caplets is that the capsule is the solid drug dosage form in which drugs and excipients are enclosed in a gelatin shell, whereas the caplet is a compressed oval-shaped tablet which appears the same as a capsule.

Solid dosage formulations such as capsules, tablets, granules, sachets, and powders are significant dosage forms in pharmaceuticals. Capsules and caplets both are the solid dosage forms that deliver precise doses of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to patients. The capsules are made of gelatin (soft/ hard) or some other plant-based material and contain medication that provides an effectual delivery mechanism. Caplet is a tablet, prepared, or formulate similar to a tablet, which has a capsule shape and is coated with a smooth layer to make it easy to swallow.
Capsules:
The capsules come in two types i.e. hard-shelled capsules and soft-shelled capsules, the hard gelatin capsules are used for powdered (solid) medication while soft gelatin capsules are used for medicines that are dissolved or suspended in oil. The shells can be made of two pieces in the form of cylinders called the cap and body or they can be prepared as a single piece. The major advantage of the capsule is that a unique mix of ingredients is possible, it is easy to swallow for patients, protects the medicine from light, moisture, and unpleasant taste and odor. 
Caplets:
Caplets are oval-shaped pellets, which are made by compressing the powder mixture with a binding medium. It can generally a gelatin-coated or film-coated to masking the unpleasant taste and odor of drugs, to control the release rate, and make it easier to swallow for the elderly and children. The caplets have similar advantages to tablets except that they are smooth and small in size, making them easy to swallow. However, they are used as a tamper-resistant substitute to a capsule but are often more expensive than pills so fewer products are offered by pharmaceutical industries.

The following are some of the differences between capsules and caplets.
  • If small doses are required, the capsule may be cut into two or more pieces, while capsules cannot cut into pieces.
  • The one more major difference between capsules and caplets is that the rate at which the drug is absorbed by the body and the speed at which the drug is released varies.
  • The capsules are expensive than the caplets as the manufacturing process is complex.
  • The capsules can be formulated with many drugs, but the caplet has certain limitations.
  • Gel or semi-solid medicines can be used in capsules, but caplets can only be prepared with solids.
  • Compared to caplets, the capsule is easy to absorb.
  • As per the need for dose, the caplet can be formulated as an immediate-release or extended-release.

Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What is the difference between tablets and capsules?
The major difference between tablet and capsule is that the tablet consists of a solid, compressed powder, whereas the capsule consists of a powder or jelly stored in a dissolvable gelatin shell.

What are the types of tablet coating?
Sugarcoating, enteric coating, film coating, gelatin coating, compression coating, dip coating, electrostatic coating, and rotary-die coating are types of tablet coating.

What is the main application of granulation?
Granulation have two types’ wet granulation and dry granulation. It is primarily used in the production process of solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules in the pharmaceutical industry.


Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Difference between caplets and tablets

The major difference between caplets and tablets is the appearance, size, and dose of the drug, both are tablets, but caplets are usually capsule-like tablets. Caplet is a smooth-coated tablet which is a capsule-shaped medicine that is used as a tamper-resistant substitute to a capsule, or as an easy-to-swallow substitute for regular tablets. The tablets are solid dosage forms containing the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and appropriate excipients. The tablets are prepared by applying pressure to a powder bed, which compresses the powder into a coherent compact.
Caplets:
Caplets are prepared by mixing drugs with a binding medium and then compressing the mixture into an oval-shaped medicinal tablet in the shape of a capsule under high pressure. They are usually a film or gelatin-coated for masking the unpleasant odor and taste of the medicines and excipients and make them easy to swallow, and convenient for the elderly and children as compared with the tablets.
The rate at which a caplet dissolves is controlled by the binding agent form used. It can formulate as an immediate-release or extended-release as per the need for dosage. As compared with the capsules it is cost-effective since it can be notched or split to deliver lower dosages. All the caplets have similar tablet advantages, except that they are smoother and smaller in size, making them easier to swallow. However, they are often more expensive than tablets hence the fewer products are offered.
Tablets:
Tablets are an oral solid dosage form of medicine that most commonly prescribed dosage form. They are usually circular and flat and are coated with a sugar-like material to mask the unpleasant taste and odor and to control the release rate in the body, they can come in many shapes and sizes to better accommodate the needs of patients. As compared to other forms of dosage forms tablets are economical to manufacture, tamper-resistant, and the most shelf-stable option.
There are few differences between the tablets and caplets they both are similar types of medicine, both are coated to protect the drug and control the release drug release into the body. The tablets are compressed into small, circular, or oblong shaped discs while caplets are capsule-like tablets have a smooth surface that makes them easier to swallow. Both caplets and tablets have longer shelf lives than and can be broken up and crushed into smaller doses.

Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What are the advantages of tablets?
The tablets provide a convenient method of drug administration, are stable over prolonged and diverse storage conditions, provide protection from atmospheric conditions such as moisture, air, and light, etc. and can be manufactured on high-speed compression, marking, and packaging equipment, providing dosage uniformity from tablet to tablet.

What are the different categories of tablets?
The different categories of the tablet include uncoated tablets, coated tablets, soluble tablets, dispersible tablets, effervescent tablets, chewable tablets, tablets for use in the mouth such as sublingual and buccal tablets, and modified-release tablets.

How fast do pills dissolve in your stomach?
In general, most pills dissolve in about 30 minutes, but when a tablet is coated that can help protect the drug from stomach acid; it may take longer for the therapeutic to enter the bloodstream.

What are the disadvantages of caplets?
The major disadvantage of caplets is that they are compact and are more difficult to dissolve than capsules. Before swallowing, most patients are bite or chew the caplets that can cause an influence on the rate of dissolution and absorption of the drug.


Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of soft gelatin capsules

Learn the various advantages and disadvantages of soft gelatin capsules.

Capsules are solid dosage forms in that one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) are enclosed within a container. It has two types such as hard gelatin capsules and soft gelatin capsules, the hard gelatin capsules are used for filling the solid medicines or material, while soft gelatin capsules are used for filling liquid and semisolid medicines substances.
Soft gelatin capsules are a type of solid dosage form which is used for liquid or semi-solid fillings. It is broadly used to deliver a wide range of pharmaceutical substances which is not possible through the other dosage forms such as tablets, and hard gelatin capsules, etc. Softgel shells are a mixture of gelatin, opacifier, water, and a plasticizer such as glycerin and/or sorbitol(s). They come in different shapes and sizes according to applications and uses, they can be spherical, oval, or cylindrical with a hemispherical end.
Advantages of soft gelatin capsules:
  • The major advantage of the soft gelatin capsule is that it is used for medication such as liquid or semi-solid fillings which is not possible in other dosage forms.
  • Soft gelatin capsules are slippery and are soft, so are easy to swallow (oral route) for patients, especially for the older and children.
  • It accommodates a broad range of compounds filled as a liquid, semisolid, paste, or gel.
  • It can come in different shapes, sizes, and colors as per the requirement.
  • Soft gelatin capsules are hermetically sealed there are no chances of leakage.
  • The capsules protect the drug from light, moisture, heat, and mask the unpleasant taste and smell of drugs and excipients.
  • It can cause a reduction of dustiness in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process since it cannot use granules, powder, and beads in the formulation.
  • Compared with hard gelatin capsules, and tablets, it does not cause gastric irritant.
  • It can offer better bioavailability.
Disadvantages of soft gelatin capsules:
  • The major disadvantages of hard gelatin capsules are that they highly sensitive to moisture, therefore having difficulties in dealing with water-soluble materials.
  • Compared to other dosage types, the manufacturing process of soft gelatin capsules is complex and it needs to be a trained person to perform the processes.
  • Compared to hard gelatin, it has a limited range of drugs and excipients that are compatible to use in the formulation.
  • Soft gelatin capsules are more expensive than the tablets as it requires special manufacturing equipment, storage conditions, and special packing.
  • It is not suitable for highly efflorescent.

Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What are the two types of capsules?
The two main types of capsules are hard gelatin capsule and soft gelatin capsule.

What is the standard capsule size?
The most generally used capsule is a size 00.

What is the difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules?
The major difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules is that the soft capsules are single-piece containing a semi-solid or liquid fill, while the hard gelatin capsules consist of two pieces containing dry powder or a granule.

Why are tablets coated?
The tablets are coated to regulate the rate or speed of dissolution of the drug and to protect the tablets from the light, moisture, taste, and odor.


You may also like this

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Advantages and disadvantages of hard gelatin capsules

The major advantage of hard gelatin capsules is that it can provide rapid and controlled drug release, provides flexibility in the formulation, and protect from the light, moisture, unpleasant taste, and odor of the drug.

Capsules are solid dosage forms in which one or more active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or drug with excipients are enclosed within a small shell or container that is usually prepared in an appropriate form of gelatin.
Depending on the physical state of the drug to be filled, the gelatin capsule shells may be hard or soft. Hard gelatin capsules are used for the solid substance while soft gelatin capsules are the use of liquid and semi-solid material. Hard gelatin capsules consist of a hemispherical cap and a cylindrical shell, each a cylindrical body and cap and typically manufactured with gelatin, water with added preservative, titanium dioxide, plasticizer as well as coloring agents.
Advantages of hard gelatin capsules:
  • Compared to tablets, capsules are much easier to swallow (oral route) for the elderly and children.
  • Hard gelatin capsules make it easier to fill the modified-release beads because they are filled without a compression that can cause particles to burst.
  • As compared to the tablet dosage form, it required fewer excipients to prepare, and it’s easily digested.
  • Modern capsule filling machines allow the multiple filling of different systems, such as granules, powders, beads, small tablets, and even semi-solids.
  • It is possible to control the drug release profile by using the hard gelatin capsules.
  • It is possible to have a unique blended film in hard gelatin capsules, which is limited in tablets.
  • For multi-particulate administration and the combination of different drugs within the same strong dosage unit, it offers great flexibility.
  • Hard gelatin capsules are providing better bioavailability compared with tablets.
  • Hard gelatin capsule is masked the unpleasant taste and odor of drugs and excipients.
  • Hard gelatin capsules come in various shapes and sizes according to application and use and contain one or more active components.
Disadvantages of hard gelatin capsules:
  • The major disadvantage of hard gelatin capsules is that the drugs that absorb water from the shell of the hygroscopic capsule render it brittle and are therefore not ideal for filling the capsules.
  • Generally, highly soluble salts should not be dispensed in hard gelatin capsules because their rapid release can cause gastric irritation.
  • A capsule requires special conditions for storage purposes.
  • Typically, hard gelatin capsules are more expensive than the tablets as it requires more processing, types of equipment, and time.
  • Cross-linking may affect hard gelatin capsules.
  • Hard gelatin capsules are not appropriate for strongly hygroscopic drugs and bulky materials.
  • Hard gelatin capsules cause dust in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process as compared to soft gelatin capsules.

Commonly asked questions on capsules and tablets are as follows.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated tablets?
Coated tablets are designed to control the release profile of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and to mask taste and odor, while uncoated tablets are designed to provide fast disintegration in the stomach

What is a hard gelatin capsule used for?
A hard gelatin capsule is a type of capsule commonly used to make medicines in the form of dry powder, granules, or very small pellets.

What is the difference between soft and hard gelatin capsules?
Soft-gels are hermetically sealed as a single-piece containing a semi-solid or liquid fill, while the hard gelatin capsules consist of two pieces, a body and a cap containing a dry powder or a granule.

What are the types of capsules in pharmaceuticals?
Hard gelatin capsules and soft gelatin capsules are two main types of capsules, although enteric-coated capsules, sustained-release capsules, and rectal capsules are also types of capsules.


Monday, November 2, 2020

Difference between hard and soft gelatin capsules

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

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.


Friday, October 30, 2020

Different types of pharmaceutical tablets

Different types of tablets are formulated by the pharmaceutical industry, according to the route of administration and function. They can be different in size, weight, shape, thickness, hardness, disintegration and dissolution characteristics, and other features based on their amount of medicinal substances, intended use, and process of preparation.

The dosage form is a pharmaceutical formulation in which a particular mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients are used to allow simple and precise administration and delivery of active drug substances. Generally, it is classified based on the physical state, route of administration, site of application, and uses.
The tablet type of oral solid dosage form and is one of the most preferred compared to another form of medicine because it offers several applications and advantages to patients, physicians, and manufacturers. A tablet contains a mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API/drug) and excipients, typically in powder form which is compressed to form a solid pill.
Pharmaceutical Tablets
The pharmaceutical tablets can be either coated or uncoated and are classified into five groups based on the route of administration and action.
1. Tablets ingested orally: 
  • Compressed tablets
  • Multiple-compressed tablets
  • Sustained action tablets
  • Enteric-coated tablets
  • Film-coated tablets
  • Sugarcoated tablets
  • Gelatin-coated tablet
  • Chewable tablets
2. Tablets used in the oral cavity: -
  • Sublingual tablets
  • Buccal tablets
  • Dental cones
  • Lozenges tablets and torches
3. Tablets administered by other routes: -
  • Implantation tablets
  • Rectal tablet
  • Vaginal tablets
  • Hypodermic tablet
4. Tablets used to prepare solutions: -
  • Effervescent tablets
5. Molded tablets or tablet triturates: -
  • Dispensing tablets
  • Hypodermic tablets 
Commonly asked questions on pharmaceutical dosage forms are as follows.

What are the disadvantages of tablets?
The major disadvantage of the tablet dosage form is that It may be complex or unfeasible to formulate drugs with slow dissolution, poor wetting, and intermediate to large dosages, as a tablet offering sufficient or maximum bioavailability of the medication.

What are the types of capsules in pharmaceuticals?
There are two types of capsules, hard-shelled capsules, and soft-shelled capsules, hard-shelled capsules containing dry, powdered materials, and soft-shelled capsules, containing drugs that are dissolved or suspended in oil.

Why are tablets coated?
The tablet coating is specifically intended for taste masking, odor masking, physical and chemical protection, and to control the rate or speed of dissolution of the tablet.

What are the factors affecting the granulation process?
Quality of the machine, compatibility between material and binding solvents, selection of excipients, solubility of particles in the granulation liquid, and characteristics of the drug are some of the factors that affect the granulation process.


Difference between coated and uncoated tablets

The major difference between coated and uncoated tablets is that the coated tablets are designed to control the release profile of the drug, masking odor and taste, whereas uncoated tablets are designed to provide rapid disintegration in the gastric fluid of the stomach, and after the compression of these types of tablets no special process is required.

Solid dosage formulations such as tablets, capsules, granules, sachets, powders are the most important dosage forms for pharmaceuticals because of their significant advantages and applications. 
The tablet is one of the most commonly prescribed and used for medicine. It is unit, solid dosage form of medicine, which contains one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for oral administration, hence it is also called oral solid dosage form. The tablets are made from granulated or powdered materials that are strongly pressed together during manufacturing to form a hardened tablet.
Coated and Uncoated Tablets
Uncoated tablets:
The uncoated tablet is a single layer or multi-layer of formulation that contains the drugs or medicines and excipients simultaneously without any coating. In general, it is a single compression of granules or multi-layer tablets consisting of parallel layers prepared by compression of granules of various compositions. These types of pills do not require additional processing after compression. The majority of uncoated tablets are made in such a way any substances added are not intended expressly to alter the release rate or dissolution rate of their active ingredients. Soluble tablets, dispersible tablets, and effervescent tablets are some types of uncoated tablets.
Coated tablets:
Coated tablets are covered with an extra thin layer to manage their release rate, to mask unpleasant taste and odor, and to keep them from external influences, such as light, moisture, heat, and bacteria. Coated tablets are smooth, colorful, shiny, and often become tasteless and easier to swallow. The different types of tablet coatings apply to different types of tablets according to requirements. The material used for coating is usually applied as a solution or suspension that does not affect the quality of the drug and does not have side effects. Sugar-coating, film-coating, and enteric coating are widely used in the pharmaceutical industries.

Commonly asked questions on pharmaceutical dosage forms are as follows.

What are the steps involved in tablet coatings?
The steps involved in tablet coatings are sealing of tablet core, sub-coating, smoothing, coloring, polishing, and printing.

What are the different types of pharmaceutical tablets?
Coated tablets, uncoated tablets, dispersible tablets, effervescent tablets, modified-release tablets, enteric-coated tablets, prolonged-release tablets, soluble tablets, chewable tablets, buccal and sublingual tablets are the types of pharmaceutical tablets.

What are the different types of the granulation process?
There are two types of granulation techniques such as dry granulation and wet granulation.

What are the advantages of tablets?
The major advantages of tablets have stable dose, dose accuracy, high precision, lowest variability, and most stable in chemical, physical, and microbiological properties.


Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Difference between film coated and enteric coated tablets

The major difference between film-coated and enteric-coated tablets is that sugar-coated or film-coated tablets are designed to improve the taste by masking taste and odor, whereas enteric-coated tablets are designed to release the drug or medication after the stomach e.g. in the intestine.

Tablet coating is one of the oldest pharmaceutical processes for solid dosage forms that are still in existence due to its advantages and applications. The coating is a technique by which a significantly dry, exterior layer of coating material is added to the surface of a dosage form to impart particular advantages over the uncoated dosage form. The basic principle of tablet coating is the application of coating composition to the moving tablet bed with the simultaneous use of heated air to promote solvent evaporation. The coating distribution is done either by movement of the coating pan or tablets.
Film and sugar coating:
A sugar coating is mainly a hard and thick coating of sugar around the tablet. This is a common technique used by pharmaceutical industries to mask the taste and odor of particularly bad-tasting drugs and excipients. Another advantage of film and sugar coating is that it prevents light and moisture, which can cause degradation or affect the quality of the product.
Enteric coating:
The enteric coating is also known as a gastro-resistant coating, is a barrier that controls the position of the tablet in the digestive tract where it is absorbed. The major reasons for the application of enteric coatings are to protect the acid-labile drugs from the acidic pH of gastric acid and to offer delayed release component to repeat action tablets are the reasons for the use of enteric coatings.
The difference between the film coating and enteric coating is that a film coating is a thin polymer-based coat applied on the surface used to inhibit the odor and taste, and the enteric coating is used to prevent the release of medication before it reaches the small intestine.

Commonly asked questions on tablet coating are as follows.

What are the types of tablet coatings?
Sugar-coated tablets, enteric coating, gelatin coating, film coating, compression coating, electrostatic coating, magnetically assisted impaction coating, dip coating, and rotary-die coating, etc. are the types of tablet coatings.

What is the disadvantage of tablet coating?
The major disadvantage of tablet coating is that the process increases the cost of formulation and tablet coatings interfere in the pharmacodynamic properties of drug formulation.

What are the steps involved in sugar coating?
The steps involved in sugar-coating are, sealing the tablet core, sub-coating, smoothing, color coating, polishing, and printing, etc.