Difference Between Capsules and Tablets

The main difference between capsules and tablets is that capsules are the type of medicine that we cannot split into two while tablets are the type of medicine that we can split into two.

Capsules vs. Tablets

The nutrients present in the capsules are better absorbed than the nutrients obtained from the tablets. Medicines that are present in the capsules are considered to enter a person’s bloodstream immediately. Tablets, on the other hand, are called sugar-coated or the substance substances that show that the drugs present in them would not instantly enter the bloodstream of people. Tablets are less expensive than capsules.

The capsules retain their potential for a shorter age; on the other hand, tablets are considered to retain their potential for greater age compared to capsules and are therefore considered to have a longer shelf life.

The capsules are considered easy to swallow. People who have difficulty swallowing the capsule can open it and mix the contents of the capsule into a drink. This trick is beneficial when we have to administer the capsules to children. The only downside to tablets is that large tablets can be difficult to swallow. The only way to take the large tablet is to break it or crush it into a powder.

Comparison chart

What are the capsules ?

To encapsulate medications, we use a shell or container called a capsule. Patients refer to the intake of this type of medication orally. The capsules are available in pharmacies in soft and hard forms. We made capsules using gelling agents like animal protein.

To decrease the hardness of the capsule, we use plasticizers in them, and to change their color, we add coloring agents. Gelatin is used to make hard shell capsules, which in turn contain dry powdered ingredients. In 1847, James Murdock patented them. Half of the capsule is filled with the powder solution, while the rest of the capsule is pressed.

The active ingredients that are called suspended in oil or the oil are packaged in the form of medicines by using soft capsules. In 1834, Mothes and Dublanc invented the soft-shell capsule. A patent was granted for the method used to produce these types of capsules. At a young age, an eye dropper was used to transfer medicine into this type of capsule, but now the blow molding process is used to transfer the medicine into the capsules.

Advantages of the capsules

• It is known as an odorless and tasteless drug and is easy to swallow.
• It is responsible for delivering fat and oil soluble nutrients.
• To reduce gastrointestinal irritation, we use capsules.
• We get protection for sensitive ingredients through capsules.
• We can open the capsules to obtain the powdered ingredients.
• Capsules enclosing hard gelatin can prove to be good oxygen barriers.
• Capsules may have unique blends of ingredients.

Disadvantages of capsules

• The capsule is known as an expensive medicine.
• Ingredients that are present in the capsule can interact with the capsule shell.
• Variations may occur in capsule fill volume.
• The large size of the capsule occurs when we use bulky materials.

What are tablets ?

A tablet is known as another oral pharmaceutical dosage form. The compression or molding process is generally used to produce a solid dose of the tablet. Approximately two-thirds of all prescriptions prescribed to a patient are solid doses, and half of these solid doses are in tablet form. The tablets are generally administered sublingually, rectally, orally, or intravaginally.

The oldest records of tablets show that they were first used in 1500 BC. C. in ancient Egypt, when pills were thought to be found in papyri. Spices or plant powders that were thought to be used as medicinal ingredients were mixed together and then made into pills. It is considered a difficult task to swallow a tablet.

Tablets were thought to be coated with slippery plant substances during medieval times so that patients could easily take them. The coatings and markings on the tablets make them different from other tablets. Today, some tablets are considered to have special properties as fast-dissolving formulations.

Advantages of tablets

• They are generally considered elegant and widely accepted.
• Custom shape, size and appearance tablets are available at pharmacies.
• They are available at reduced prices.
• To obtain targeted nutrient absorption, we use controlled release agents.
• They are involved in low-cost coatings for enteric delivery when needed.

Disadvantages of tablets

• The tablets are called potentially poor during disintegration in the gastrointestinal tract, except that adequate conditions exist to control disintegration.
• They are involved in displaying potential sensitivities to coatings.
• Heat or moisture is added to the components using the granulation technique.

Key differences

1. The type of medicine that we cannot cut in two is called capsules, while the type of medicine that we can cut in two is called tablets.
2. Capsules were invented in 1834; on the other hand, tablets were invented as early as 1500 BC. c.
3. The capsules do not have different shapes. On the contrary, tablets in different forms are available in pharmacies.
4. The capsules do not have different sizes, on the other hand, there are different sizes of tablets available in pharmacies.
5. Capsules are considered to show less potential; on the other hand, tablets are considered to have high potential.
6. Capsules are available in pharmacies in soft and hard forms, while tablets are available in compressed powder form from pharmacies.
7. The blow molding process is used to transfer the medicine to the capsules; on the other hand, the compression or molding process is generally used to produce a solid dose of the tablet.
8. Capsules are usually taken orally, while tablets are usually administered sublingually, rectally, orally, or intravaginally.
9. Capsules are usually made up of suspended oil or powdered medicine, on the other hand, tablets are made up of powdered medicine.
10. The capsules are considered easy to swallow; on the other hand, large tablets are considered difficult to swallow.
11. Medicines that are present in capsules are considered to enter people’s bloodstream immediately, while tablets are called coated with sugar or similar substances, which shows that the medicines present in them would not enter the bloodstream immediately of people. .
12. The capsules are considered expensive; on the other hand, tablets are considered less expensive.

Final Thought

All of the above discussion concludes that both capsules and tablets are considered oral pharmaceutical dosage forms. Capsules are the type of medicine that we can’t cut in two and they don’t have different sizes and shapes, on the other hand, tablets are the type of medicine that we can cut in two and different shapes, sizes and appearances. are available at pharmacies.