In non-functional films, the tablet core is provided with a thin film coating, to e.g. isolate the drug and thus prevent its volatilization. The protective film improves the mechanical stability, the aesthetics, the identity, the storage conditions and the flow properties as well as the surface structure of the tablet.
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Why is film coating used?
The motivation for applying film coatings to dosage forms range from cosmetic considerations (colour, gloss and branding), improving the shelf life by providing a protective barrier between the drug and the surrounding environment, and making the dosage form easier to swallow.
What’s a film coated tablet?
Definition of ‘film-coating’
Film-coating is a process in which a tablet, capsule, or pellet is covered by a thin layer of film to protect it or make it easier to swallow. Applying a thin coating to tablets is called film-coating. The outer layer applied in film-coating makes tablets easier to swallow.
What is the difference between film coated and enteric coated?
Enteric-coating polymers are pH-sensitive polymers, they are insoluble at acidic pH (stomach) but soluble at basic pH (small intestine); enteric-coating prevent tablet core disintegration in the stomach. The function of the solvent in film-coating formula is to convey coating materials to the tablet surface or pellets.
What is used in film coating?
The most widely used polymers in non-functional film coating are cellulose derivatives such as hypromellose. Plasticizers, used to improve the flexibility of the film formed and prevent it from cracking or breaking. They work by weakening the attraction between the polymer molecules to make the film more malleable.
What is film coating process?
Film coating involves the deposition of a thin layer of film-forming polymeric onto a product substrate. The process can be carried out using conventional panning equipment but nowadays more sophisticated equipment is used to achieve efficient drying, high degree of automation and coating time.
Are film coated tablets safe?
Film or sugar-coated medicines
Disruption of the film or sugar coating on a drug may result in rapid degradation of the active ingredient and may also cause skin irritation in patients or carers.
Can we break film coated tablet?
Sugar or film coating – surrounds the tablet normally to make it taste better or easier to swallow. Crushing these types of tablets may make them to taste very unpleasant. Enteric coating – tablets with an enteric coating should never be crushed.
What is the difference between film coating and sugar coating?
Film coating involves the deposition, usually by spraying a liquid coating system, of a thin film of a polymer-based formulation onto the surface of a tablet, capsule or multiparticulate core. Sugar coating is a more traditional process closely resembling that used for coating confectionery products.
Why is film coating preferred over sugar coating?
Advantages of film coating over sugar coating
Enhances the elegance and glossy appearance of coated tablets. 3. Minimal weight increase (typically 2–3% of tablet core weight) as opposed to more than 50% with sugarcoating. 4.
What are the various types of film coated tablets?
Tablet coating is the outer covering of a tablet with a layer/substance.
- Sugar Coated Tablets.
- Film Coated Tablets.
- Gelatin Coated Tablets.
- Enteric Coated Tablets.
- Compression Coating Tablets.
- Other Types.
What are the reasons for coating tablets?
The advantages of tablet coating are taste masking, odor masking, physical and chemical protection, protects the drug in the stomach, and to control its release profile. Coating may be applied to a wide range of oral solid dosage form, such as particles, powders, granules, crystals, pellets and tablets.
Where do film coated tablets dissolve?
Enteric coated tablets have a coating that is designed not to dissolve in the acidic environment of the stomach but to pass through the stomach into the small intestine prior to the beginning of dissolution.
Are coated tablets better?
A coated tablet generally goes down easier and with less aftertaste. The coating on tablets can do more than just mask the taste; some pills are coated with a substance that protects them from the gastric acid produced in the stomach so they will not be broken down until they reach the small intestine.
What is the difference between coated and uncoated tablets?
If you’re wondering when coating a tablet is necessary, there’s not just one answer. Uncoated tablets are rougher and don’t really taste good. This makes them harder to swallow especially for children, as they also leave a bad aftertaste in the mouth. So coating is important to mask an unpleasant taste.
What is the disadvantage of tablet?
Here are five advantages and disadvantages of tablets so you can decide if you want one in your life.
Comparison Table for Advantages And Disadvantages Of Tablets.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Portability | Higher cost |
| Lightweight | Weak Capabilities |
| Attractive Design | Less Number of Ports |
| Smaller in Size | Hardware Damage Problem |
Which tablets Cannot be crushed?
Drugs that should not be crushed are those that are: Designed to be controlled release. Coated for protection or taste. Dissolvable.
They usually have special letters in their name, such as:
- CC.
- CD.
- ER.
- XR.
- LA.
- XL.
- EC.
- ODT.
Which tablets can be crushed?
Recap. Not all pills can be crushed. These include pills that are enteric-coated or sustained-release. Opioid drugs especially should never be crushed as it increase the risk of addiction and overdose.
What happens if you bite a capsule?
Damaging the protective coating
In contrast to the prior examples, for some drugs, crushing tablets, opening capsules or chewing either of these before ingestion can result in patients receiving an insufficient dose of the active ingredient.
What are disadvantages of coating?
The Disadvantages of Coatings
Once a coating has been applied, it immediately begins a degradation process that will require touch-ups, maintenance, or even a complete reapplication. Coatings can also inhibit pump performance by causing obstacles or closing off passes and ports.