Capsules are containers designed to contain liquid or powder medications for medical and dietary purposes. Easy to swallow and tamper-resistant, capsules also absorb less moisture than tablets do.
Selecting an optimal dosage form for any pharmaceutical or nutritional product is vital for its success, as this choice impacts everything from regulatory environments and target audiences, cost considerations, manufacturing processes and production procedures.
Capsules are easy to swallow
Tablets and capsules may be difficult to swallow due to their shape and texture, especially when hard or sticky coated pills are hard or sticky coating. There are some strategies that could make swallowing pills or capsules easier, including taking a big sip of water before adding the pill in your mouth, leaning forward when taking, or mixing into semi-liquid food like applesauce.
Capsules tend to be easier for most people to swallow than pills, although dysphagia sufferers or those suffering from other conditions that impede swallowing may still find difficulty doing so. They’re also typically more secure against being broken open or crushed than pills are, which makes them better suited as an aid to swallowing difficulties.
Hard and soft gelatin capsules as well as vegetarian cellulose capsules are widely available, each featuring its own two-piece shell that holds powder or solids within it. When manufactured, manufacturing staff monitor the fill level to ensure each capsule is filled to an even level.
They are tamper-resistant
Capsules are small, round containers used to dispense powdered or liquid medicine. Commonly enclosed by a gelatin shell for easy swallowing, capsules offer greater security than tablets or liquids due to being more tamper-resistant as well as being faster-acting by entering your body faster.
There are various kinds of capsules, with some specifically tailored for swallowing whole and others created specifically to address digestive issues or to cover up unpleasant tastes, odors or appearance.
Some capsule-based electronic drug delivery devices utilize a magnetically activated mechanism to deliver drugs into the GIT at preprogrammed intervals. Examples of such devices are Enterion capsule, developed by Phaeton Research. At 35 x 11 mm it contains a drug reservoir, onboard electronics and an actuator assembly with shape memory alloy wires to respond to temperature changes. Intellicap by Medimetrics-Eindhoven of the Netherlands features battery power supply, pump functionality, pH/temperature sensors, piston piston mechanism as well as programmable microprocessor technology.
They are easy to store
Capsules are easier to swallow than tablets, and can mask unpleasant tastes or odors. Furthermore, they can be made tamper-resistant to increase patient compliance; furthermore they can be designed to release medication at specific locations over a predetermined period of time.
Capsules offer another advantage in that they’re less sensitive to environmental conditions like temperature and humidity changes than traditional products are, making storage much simpler in conditions of constant cool humidity. Simply store them somewhere with constant air conditions – ideal is in an area with cool, moist air; any changes could otherwise cause major fluctuations in heat or humidity levels which could affect their effectiveness.
One way to keep capsules dry is using resealable bag ties to seal off their container when not in use. However, care must be taken not to store capsules directly under sunlight or near high rack locations as these could cause them to become flaccid or sticky; additionally it is best not to keep them near ceiling lights and HVAC vents that dry out the air in facilities.
They are easy to make
Comparative to tablets, capsules are easier to swallow and may even mask unpleasant tastes or odors, dissolving faster which could increase their efficacy compared to tablets. Furthermore, many are tamper-resistant which may increase patient compliance when prescribed by healthcare providers.
To create capsules, follow the instructions that came with your capsule machine. Begin by separating capsule bottoms from their caps; if necessary use a mortar and pestle to achieve fine texture of ingredients not already powdered into powder form; load body plate onto frame plate then replace frame plate with orange plate (ensuring thumb indentations face upward).
Just take care to store them somewhere dark and dry! Finally, attach the cap plates over the body plates and press down firmly and evenly; when properly fitted you may hear clicks as evidence of proper fitment. Afterward, remove the capping plate to create your capsules! And there you go – enjoy using your new capsules! Be sure to store them carefully!
