Capsules offer an easy-to-swallow dose form. Less likely to have a bitter flavor than tablets, they also tend to be more secure from tampering than this form.
Capsules are composed of two parts; a smaller-diameter “body” and larger-diameter “cap”. The body contains grooves and dimples for the cap to fit securely during filling, helping ensure consistent doses.
Faster Absorption
Capsules tend to be absorbed more rapidly than tablets due to fewer obstacles preventing your body from breaking them down and accessing their active ingredients.
Capsules can be filled with virtually any substance imaginable – drug powders, granules, microparticles or pellets are just some of the many possibilities available to fill them. Their flexibility makes capsules invaluable tools in early drug discovery when almost any substance can be dosed into capsules for effective dosing.
Hard gelatin capsules should generally dissolve in your stomach within twenty to thirty minutes after swallowing, though certain gelatin types or additional process steps may speed up or slow down this process.
Easy to Swallow
Swallowing tablets and capsules may be difficult for some patients. Narrow throats, sensitive palates or strong gag reflexes may make swallowing larger objects uncomfortable; in such instances using strategies like taking a large sip of water before taking their pills or adding them to semi-liquid food such as applesauce or pudding may help.
Capsules’ hermetically sealed shell helps mask any unpleasant tastes or odors from medication inside them, as well as making swallowing them easier than tablets due to their shape without holes.
However, one drawback of capsules is their inability to contain high doses and may therefore be less potency than tablets. Furthermore, humidity and environmental conditions can alter their content, with gelatin from animals such as pigs, cows or fish often used. Vegetarians or vegans may find this problematic; you may need more pills in order to receive equal dosage as you would with tablets.
Easy to Store
Like tablets, capsules can be stored for extended periods without degrading over time, thanks to being sealed up securely and kept at room temperature – making them the ideal option for busy individuals who may need medication on-the-go.
Capsules offer several distinct advantages over liquid medications, primarily their ease of identification which aids patient adherence. Two-colour combinations allow medical staff to quickly identify medications; they’re also great options for those sensitive to taste or odor who cannot take liquid medicines.
Create your own time capsule by gathering items that hold special meaning for you and your family, such as photos, letters, newspapers, school work or tickets. Seal these in a stainless steel container with silica packets added for moisture control and store the capsule somewhere cool and dry – regularly inspect it to make sure its seal remains undamaged!
Easy to Identify
By law, every FDA-approved pill, tablet, or capsule must have a distinguishable appearance from other drugs on the market, making identification simpler than ever. Common medication shapes include round, oval, oblong, square and triangular shapes; others may feature scores cut into them that help identify their type as well.
There are various online tools that will assist in the identification of pills by imprint code, color or shape. Examples include Poison Control’s pill identifier, Medscape’s pill identifer and FDA drug identification tool.
As important as it is to accurately identify your medication, taking any unknown pills should never be done without first consulting with a healthcare provider or calling poison control. Also follow any recommended guidelines regarding proper disposal so it doesn’t end up getting eaten by other people or animals. If ever found, call poison control or consult a physician for assistance if any unknown pill appears.
