Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Capsules

Description

Capsules are a common form of dosage for oral administration of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. They are produced in various shapes, sizes and materials, each capsule generally containing a single dose of active ingredient. In addition to the active drug ingredient or principal nutrient, other excipients are incorporated into the fill material, including antimicrobial preservatives, fillers, flavouring agents, sweeteners and colouring agent. Branding and dosage information may be printed on the outer surface of the capsule. Capsules are solid preparations in which drug substance(s) and/or excipients are enclosed in either a soft or hard soluble shell. The shell is normally made from gelatin or other suitable polymeric material and results in a simple, tasteless, odourless, elegant, easy-to-swallow dosage form without need for a secondary coating step. Soft gelatin capsules also referred to as soft shell capsule, soft elastic capsule, or softgel are single-unit solid dosage form, consisting of a liquid, semi-solid, dry powders, or even preformed tablets fill enveloped by a one-piece hermetically sealed elastic outer shell. Hard shell capsules are available in a variety of standard sizes and are designated by numbers from 000 to 5. The size of the 000 capsule is the highest and that of the number 5 capsule is the smallest. Pharmaceutical Capsules is an essential resource for all those involved in the development, manufacture and testing of capsules. It will also be valuable to pharmaceutical science students and regulatory authorities.