Gelatine Capsules: An Indispensable Form Of Medication

Capsules are a solid oral dosage for supplementing life-saving medications, minerals, vitamins, and other healthful substances. These handy packagings allow for accurate dosage, mobility, and consumer compliance. More onerous liquid, powder, or paste formulations are available as alternatives. Capsules are an effective form of medication that comprises an important active component and have proved their worth in many instances. They are comparatively easier to produce than tablets, which reduces the time it takes to develop a product, resulting in a shorter time to market. Pharmaceutical companies may also encapsulate liquid and semi-liquid fillers with capsule technology, which is not feasible with tablets.

Capsules assist in increasing patient compliance. This is because capsules are smaller, making them simpler to swallow and masking entirely the disagreeable flavors associated with liquid medicine or gritty tablets. Another advantage of capsules is that they can be customized, meaning they may be made in various forms, sizes, and colors for easy identification.

This blog describes in detail the various aspects of gelatin capsules. 

Fundamental aspects of Gelatin aspects:

Formation: Gelatin, an animal protein produced from collagen, has historically been used to make capsules. Plant-based alternatives, such as HPMC and modified starch, have recently entered the market to meet the needs of vegetarians. Gelatin’s use as a food ingredient can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it was used to make jellied food products. It is now a part of our daily lives and a preferred ingredient for many consumers worldwide. Gelatin is derived from natural resources and is made by partially hydrolyzing collagen found in animal skins and bones. As a pure and high-quality protein derived from the meat industry by-products, it aids in waste reduction.

Furthermore, no chemical modifications are made during the manufacturing process. It makes sense to maximize gelatin’s benefits because it helps reduce waste. Because traceability is critical in food production, all raw materials undergo rigorous testing and control.

Cost-efficiency: Gelatin is the most cost-effective excipient when compared to other excipients. The ingredients for first-generation HPMC hard capsules are approximately four times more expensive than gelatin, and HPMC capsules are approximately three times more expensive to manufacture. This, of course, impacts the costs borne by healthcare systems, consumers, and taxpayers.

Permeability to oxygen: Some APIs have complex profiles that make them prone to oxidation. Capsules are the best option for these formulations because they provide the most protection. Gelatin is the best excipient for oxygen-sensitive APIs due to its low oxygen permeability. The alternative, HPMC, has a high oxygen penetration potential, necessitating additional ingredients (such as antioxidants), raising the overall cost. When oxygen sensitivity is a factor, manufacturers always choose gelatin capsules whenever possible.

Machinability: Gelatin has a high level of machinability, which means it can withstand the mechanical process very well, requiring no additional ingredients or machines. HPMC has a lower level of machinability: first-generation HPMC necessitates secondary gelling agents, whereas second-generation HPMC does not necessitate the use of gelling agents but does necessitate machine adaptation.

Permeability of water: Another factor to consider is moisture penetration. Depending on the type of capsule, vapor can have various effects. HPMC contains less water than gelatin. However, whether HPMC performs better than gelatin in water permeability is unclear.

This article denotes the various aspects of gelatin capsules. They have become one of the most desirable capsules in the modern market, and it has emerged as one of the favorite capsules of the modern-day capsule manufacturer.

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