Pharma- Capsule

1. Definition:
Capsules are solid dosage forms in which one or more medicinal and inert ingredients are enclosed in a small shell or container usually made of gelatin.


2. Advantages of Capsules
• Capsules mask the taste and odor of unpleasant drugs and can be easily administered.
• They are attractive in appearance
• They are slippery when moist and, hence, easy to swallow with a draught of water.
• As compared to tablets less adjuncts are required.
• The shells are physiologically inert and easily and quickly digested in the gastrointestinal tract.
• They are economical
• They are easy to handle and carry.
• The shells can be opacified (with titanium dioxide) or colored, to give protection from light.


3. Disadvantages of Capsules
• The drugs which are hygroscopic absorb water from the capsule shell making it brittle and hence are not    
    suitable for filling into capsules.
• The concentrated solutions which require previous dilution are unsuitable for capsules because if
    administered as such lead to irritation of stomach.




4. Raw Materials for Capsules
The raw materials used in the manufacture of both hard and soft gelatin capsules are similar. Both contain gelatin, water, colorants and optional materials such as process aids and preservatives.


1. Gelatin:
Gelatin has been the raw material of choice because of the ability of a solution to gel to form a solid at a temperature just above ambient temperate conditions, which enables a homogeneous film to be formed rapidly on a mould pin.
2. The reason for this is that gelatin possesses the following basic properties:
• It is non-toxic, widely used in foodstuffs and acceptable for use worldwide.
• It is readily soluble in biological fluids at body temperature.
• It is good film-forming material, producing a strong flexible film
• The gelatin films are homogeneous in structure, which gives them strength.


3. Gelatin is a translucent brittle solid substance, colorless or slightly yellow, nearly tasteless and odorless, which is created by prolonged boiling of animal skin connective tissue or bones.




4. Types of materials for filling into hard gelatin capsules:
Dry solids – powders, pellets, granules or tablets
Semisolids – suspensions or pastes
Liquids – non-aqueous liquids

• Empty Hard Gelatin Capsule Physical Specifications

Size	Outer Diameter (mm)	Height or Locked Length (mm)	Actual Volume (mL)	Typical Fill Weights (mg) 0.70 Powder Density
000	9.91	26.14	1.37	960
00	8.53	23.30	0.95	665
0	7.65	21.70	0.68	475
1	6.91	19.40	0.50	350
2	6.35	18.00	0.37	260
3	5.82	15.90	0.30	210
4	5.31	14.30	0.21	145
5	4.91	11.10	0.13	90