Mechanized production, high output and low cost, and easy to meet the hygiene standards.
Second, the reasons for making the medicine into capsules:
Some medicines are bitter, so taking them in capsules can save you from pain.
Some drugs are made of mixed powder or viscous liquid, but the demand for drugs is not great, so it is more convenient to take them in capsules.
Reduce the waste of drugs in the mouth and make the drugs fully absorbed in the stomach.
Third, the difference:
In terms of dosage forms:
Both capsules and tablets belong to solid preparations, capsules belong to capsule dosage form in solid preparations, and tablets belong to tablet dosage form in solid preparations.
Judging from the speed of absorption:
Solid preparations, such as capsules and tablets, are mainly taken orally. After administration, they need to be dissolved by drugs, then absorbed by gastrointestinal epithelial cell membranes and enter the blood circulation to play their therapeutic role. Generally, the order of absorption speed of oral preparations is capsules > tablets. In addition, the drugs in capsules are filled in capsule shell in the form of powder or granules, which is different from tablets in that there is no mechanical extrusion, so capsules generally take effect faster than tablets.
Can make the drug take effect quickly in the body. Drugs are packed in capsules in powder or granules. Compared with tablets, pills and other dosage forms, it has no influence of mechanical pressure in the preparation process and can be quickly dispersed, dissolved and absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.
Can delay or limit drug release. The drug is made into granules or pellets, and suitable coating materials are selected according to needs for encapsulation, so that the drug has sustained release and long-term effects. Enteric capsules can release drugs in the small intestine. There are also controlled-release capsules, which can release drugs slowly and at a constant speed in a specified medium.
Some pharmaceutical manufacturers register the appearance (including size, shape, color, texture and fragrance) of their products as patents, which are called "trade dress" as the ownership of the trademark law. You can even tell the specific drug name by its appearance. Generic drug manufacturers are not allowed to copy the shapes, colors and sizes of these brands of drugs.