Capsules and Tablets: What’s the Difference?

Is there anydifference between capsules and tablets? It is essential to know thatpharmaceutical laboratoriesdo not design medicines with different formulas and formats for no reason. Powders, syrups, capsules, dragees, tablets, softgels... they all have their purpose, and in this article we focus on two of the most widely used forms: capsules andtablets, to understand why they are different. For example, there areactive ingredients such as ibuprofen or paracetamolthat are available in both capsules and tablets. Both have a specific medical purpose, but which one is the most suitable? Whatdifferences are there between them? Let’s take a look.

What is a tablet?

A tablet is a solid medicine that, as a general rule, is round and small, although it can come in different sizes and shapes. It is taken orally andis made from a powder that is compressed, which gives this pharmaceutical form its name. During manufacture,different powdered ingredients are compresseduntil a solid product is obtained that will be absorbed in the digestive tract. To do this, three techniques can be used:

1. Direct compression. This is the most common and simplest manufacturing method. The ingredients are mixed until good compaction is achieved without adding liquid binders.
2. Dry granulation. This is the term used for mixing the ingredients and then compacting them. It is used when the ingredients are too fine and cannot be bound using the previous method to achieve a perfect tablet.
3. Wet granulation. In this third technique, the ingredients are mixed with a binding agent such as water, for example. They are then compacted until a tablet is obtained. Again, this method is used for ingredients that do not flow well or are too fine to use the first method.

Tabletscontain active and inactive ingredients or excipients, which are responsible for binding all the ingredients together. Some tablets have a line in the middle to make them easier to split in two. Others are made with a special coating that prevents the medicine from breaking down in the stomach, so that it does so in the small intestine.

Types of tablets

We can distinguish fourtypes of tablets:

• Chewable. These are medicines that are chewed before swallowing and are absorbed quickly in the stomach. This helps provide a fast onset of action and they usually have pleasant flavours.
• ODT, orodispersible or orally disintegrating. The key feature of these medicines is that they dissolve in the mouth without water. They work very quickly and pass directly into the bloodstream.
• Sublingual. They are placed under the tongue so that they dissolve and pass quickly into the bloodstream.
• Effervescent. In this form, and with the help of water, the tablets form a suspension or solution. The patient must drink it.

What is a capsule?

We cannot understand thedifference between capsules and tablets without knowing a little more about capsules. They are medicines with a shell that are absorbed in the digestive tract. The medicine inside the capsule dissolves into the bloodstream and is distributed and metabolised in a similar way to a tablet.

Types of capsules

We can identify twotypes of capsules:

• Hard shell. These capsules are made in two parts: the shell, which is made of gelatine, and the cap, made from cellulose. The medicine is in powder form and is placed in the capsule shell; the cap is then fitted on top to close it.
• Soft gelatine. The outer coating of soft gelatine capsules is usually used to contain a liquid form. The shell is made with glycerine and gelatine.

What is the difference between capsules and tablets?

Capsules and tabletsare safe pharmaceutical forms, but there are several key differences between them:

• Composition. Capsules are usually made with gelatine or vegan or vegetarian alternatives and contain the medicine in powder or liquid form. Tablets, by contrast, are generally made from compressed powder.
• Absorption. Capsules are better protected to prevent the medicine from degrading due to stomach acids. As a result, their greater bioavailability compared with tablets makes them slightly more effective.
• Taste. Capsules can mask the taste, although the shell dissolves if it remains in the mouth for too long. This may cause the patient to notice the bitter taste of the medicine, which is usually detected almost instantly when a tablet is placed in the mouth.
• Size. Because the space available in a capsule is limited, in some cases it is more practical to make a medicine in tablet form.
• Splitting. It is not possible to split a capsule in two without removing the medicine. However, some tablets are designed so that they can easily be broken in half.
• Prescription accuracy. The previous point makes it easier to follow certain prescribed doses in the case of tablets. Capsules, on the other hand, should always be taken whole.

Tablet or capsule: which is better?

Choosing atablet or a capsuleusually depends on an individual circumstance. But the better option is the one that is most effective for the patient. Both serve a similar purpose, although it is important not to overlook eachdifference between capsules and tablets.Tablets have a longer shelf lifeand are made in different shapes. They also contain higher doses of active ingredients than capsules usually do. However, they act more slowly than capsules and, in some cases, may break down unevenly in the body. On the other hand,a capsule usually acts fasterthan a tablet. This is because almost all of the medicine is absorbed at the same time when it is taken. They also tend to expire more quickly than a tablet and are more expensive. If you are allergic to certain additives or need vegan options, it is advisable to check all the components of a medicine before taking it. That is why atFarmaciasdirectwe fully understand everydifference between capsules and tablets. We are specialists and can offerpharmaceutical adviceand personalised guidance to help you choose the right pharmaceutical form of a medicine. Remember that you can get youronline over-the-counter medicineson the Farmaciasdirect website.Bibliography:

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• Autor, A. (2018). Evaluation of the bioavailability of medicines in capsules and tablets: A pharmacokinetic approach.Revista de Farmacología Clínica, 12(3), 143-157.
• Autor, A. (2017). Capsules and tablets in pharmacological therapy: A comparative review.Revista de Ciencias de la Salud, 8(2), 87-98.