Pharmaceutical tablets are solid dosage forms that contain one or more active ingredients and excipients. They are usually made by compression in tablet press machines or molding and are taken by mouth or other routes. Tablets are the most common way medicines are given, with uncoated and coated tablets being the two main forms.
Below are the main types of tablets, including their definitions and examples.
Uncoated tablets are compressed tablets that do not have any outer coating. They are made by pressing active ingredients with excipients into a solid form. These are the simplest type of tablets and are often used when no protection from light, moisture, or stomach acid is needed.
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Disadvantages:
Coated tablets have an outer layer made from materials like sugar, film, or polymers. The coating can improve taste, protect the drug from stomach acid, or control how the drug is released.
Types of coated tablets:
Example:
Dispersible tablets are designed to break up and form a uniform suspension when placed in water. They can be film-coated or uncoated.
Example:
Effervescent tablets are uncoated and dissolve quickly in water. They contain acid and bicarbonate, which react to release carbon dioxide gas. This helps the tablet dissolve fast.
Example:
These tablets are designed to release the active ingredient slowly or at a specific time. They can be coated or uncoated.
Types include:
Examples:
Soluble tablets are dissolved in water before use. They may be coated or uncoated, depending on the formulation.
Example:
These are used when fast absorption is needed or when swallowing is difficult.
Types include:
Examples:
These are placed in parts of the body other than the mouth, such as the rectum or vagina.
Examples:
Solid dosage forms are forms or shapes where drug mixtures are placed, example of which include tablets and capsules. These solid dosage forms are administered orally.
Tablets are defined as Solid Pharmaceutical Dosage forms that contain drug substances. They may contain suitable diluents or are prepared through moulding or compression.
The concept of producing a tablet form dosage starts first at the company’s marketing department. With that said, the formulators are responsible in producing the said tablet. Below are some key points to consider when specifying the dies and press punches.
At LFA over the last 7 years we have seen a glimpse into every type of use for a tablet press. Nowadays when someone asks us how to press glass, or metal, or even coffee granules we are no longer surprised. One that was new to us was the pigeon problem.
