Capsule vs Tablet: Differences, Pros, and Cons Explained
Everyone has taken medicine at some point in their life when they were not well, but some still get confused about capsules and tablets. When you are planning to have any oral medicine, capsules and tablets are common options. Both provide supplements or a drug via the digestive tract for a particular target.
The difference between the types of medicines is that both are non-liquid administration, so at first glance, both may resemble the same. Capsules and tablets come with their different purpose and have different features and shapes. Some of them can easily dissolve in your system, some can take their time to show results, and have different colors and tastes.
In this article, we will provide proper information related to these tablets and capsules. Here we will even compare both and know their advantages and disadvantages. Here we will also discuss how you can make the right choice by looking at all the parameters, such as expiry period, absorption rate, cost, and availability. Below, you will get all the information related to this topic, which can allow you to select the best for your body.
There are different shapes of tablets you will come across, such as disc-shaped, oblong, and round. Here, Oblong tablets are known for their easy-to-swallow and even have a line in the middle so they can break in half. Some tablets have some special coatings that even private them from breaking down in the digestive system, and some coatings make sure that it gets dissolve only when the tablet reaches the small intestine.
Some tablets can be chewable or can even be orally dissolving tablets. These kinds of tablets can easily dissolve in your mouth, which makes it easier for people who have trouble swallowing.
Whatever the tablet form but it eventually gets mixed in the bloodstream and travels to your liver. After this, it gets distributed to the focused area so that it can work in your body. In all of this process, the drug undergoes a lot of chemical changes and eventually gets outside our system through feces and urine.
Types of tablets:
Tablets are mainly developed in such a way that they release the drug in a certain specific part of the gastrointestinal tract or even react slowly in a certain period that helps in keeping up with the blood bloodstream pace. Below, we will discuss the different types of tablets that are available in the market:
Conventional tablets: These kinds of tablets are also known as immediate-release tablets, which are one of the common tablets that we use in today’s life. This type of medicine is created in that way so that it dissolves directly in your stomach and is absorbed by the bloodstream. People who are looking for a quick solution must go for this type of tablet, but it may come up with irritation and stomach issues, depending on person-to-person body.
Effervescent tablets: In this kind of tablet, there is no need to swallow with water. This type of tablet is prepared in such a way that when you put a tablet in the glass of water, it will dissolve. Just remember one thing that when you put the tablet in the water a fizzy action takes place which helps in dissolving of drugs in the water and giving out some nice flavour so that it is no hard to drink.
Chewable tablets: People who face a lot of issues in swallowing a tablet can go for this option as these tablets are made in such a way that not only children but also grown-up people can consume. This type of tablet comes with a good taste so that people can chew it properly before swallowing. You can consume this type of table on the go also, as it doesn’t require water to gulp.
Sublingual and buccal tablets: These types of tablets are mainly put between the gum and the cheek or under the tongue so that they can dissolve with the saliva. Here, the tablets don’t go through the digestive tract. This type of tablet comes with different compositions of powder, which provides rapid relief, and this type of drug is not stable for the stomach.
Extended-release tablets: These types of tablets are designed in a specific way so that they release slowly into the body and the effect can stay over a long period. These tablets are mainly prescribed for long-term disease, and the doses are even changed as per that. Patients who are taking multiple tablets a day, them this type of tablet is best to prescribe.
Orally disintegrating tablets: There is no need for water or anything to swallow these kinds of tablets. This kind of medicine helps patients who are looking for quick-action drugs and those patients who have problems swallowing any tablet. You can consider this type of table as the best substitute for any ordinary tablet.
Coated tablets: These tablets are mainly coated with a layer so that you can’t feel any taste or smell while consuming or swallowing them. This coating on the tablet even helps the active ingredients from air or moisture, and this coated tablet will only dissolve in a specific part of the gastrointestinal tract. This type of tablet is mainly coated in a sugar coating or even in a complex polymer coating.
Enteric-coated tablets: The coating of the tablets acts like a shield between the active ingredients and stomach acid, and they disintegrate in the small intestine. This type of tablet is mainly used in the modern techniques of tablet manufacturing of tablets. This type of table is the best example of cheaper drug delivery and even helps in solving patients’ issues.
Pros of tablets:
Below, we will discuss the advantages of Tablets:
Inexpensive: The price mainly depends on the casing and the active ingredients. Generally, tablets are cheaper than capsules when it comes to manufacturing. So, these tablets are mainly affordable for the customers.
Higher dosages: compared to single capsule tablets, can easily accommodate active ingredients at higher doses.
Long-lasting: If you compare the tablets with capsules, then tablets have a longer shelf life.
Can be split: You can easily split the tablet into two halves as per your convenience. Suppose in a prescription, you got a dose of 50mg, but you are getting a tablet combination with 100mg. Then you can easily divide this into two pieces and consume as per your convenience.
Chewable: Some tablets come in orally dissolving form so the patients can easily chew.
Variable delivery: you can get different variety of these tablets, such as it can come in extended release, delayed release, and quick release forms
Cons of Tablets:
- Slow action: Tablets can take a longer time to be absorbed by the body compared to capsules.
- Less palatable: Some of the tablets do come up with different tastes of coating, so that tablets don’t taste bad in both. When you swallow it, they start leaving a bad aftertaste.
- More likely to irritate: Tablets have more potential to irritate your gastro tract.
- Uneven disintegration: Tablets can easily break unevenly, which can decrease the effectiveness and overall absorption.
What is a capsule?
Capsules come with different compositions of powder encased in an outer shell. This outer shell dissolves in the digestive system, and through the bloodstream, it is metabolized and distributed to the target area, similar to tablets. There are two types of capsules: soft gel and hard-shelled. Below, we will briefly explore both types.
Types of capsules:
- Hard-shelled capsules: The outer shell of these capsules consists of two halves, with one half easily fitting inside the other, creating a closed casing that is filled with dry medicated pellets or powders. Some hard-shelled capsules may contain liquid medicine inside. This type of capsule is also known as liquid-filled hard capsules. These capsules facilitate the combination of different medicines into a single pill.
- Soft-gel capsules: When you compare soft-gel capsules to hard-shelled capsules, their appearance is notably different. These medications are primarily semi-transparent and generally wider, in contrast to opaque capsules. Commonly referred to as liquid gels, they are a type of medicine that is gelatin-based. This kind of medicine is easily digested, allowing for its release and absorption by the body.
- Gelatin capsules: In the current world this gelatin capsules are one of the traditional capsules. Here, the gelatin is extracted from animals such as fish etc. This capsule type is mainly preferred in this manufacturing market as it contains low moisture, has a longer shelf life, and even protects the active ingredients.
- Vegetarian capsules: HPMC capsules, which stand for Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, are a key ingredient in vegetarian capsules. All herbal medicines can easily fit into HPMC capsules, as they help preserve the highest quality regardless of weather or environmental factors. These pullulan capsules are made from fermented starch and are ideal for very low moisture content.
- PVA capsules or Starch capsules: This type of capsule is very much new in this industry, or a new generation technology. These capsules are mainly extracted from plant materials and are harder than the normal plant-based capsules. This type of capsule can easily accommodate many formulations.
- Liquid-filled hard capsules: This type of capsule is mainly a combination of both hard and soft capsules. These capsules come with the feature of both such as they can encapsulate the liquid like soft gels and have a shelf life like hard capsules.
- Ulti-chamber capsules: The best thing about these capsules is that they can hold two different types of formulation in a capsule, but never mix until it’s been swallowed.
Pros of Capsule:
- Tasteless: Capsules don’t come up with any taste or smell.
- Fast action: If you compare the capsules to tablets, then they dissolve faster in your system. So, the action of the capsules offers faster relief from any symptoms.
- Higher drug absorption: Due to higher bioavailability, the capsules can easily be absorbed by the bloodstream compared to tablets.
- Tamper-resistant: Capsules are made in such a way that they can’t get damaged, crushed, or split in half.
Cons of Capsule:
- Shelf life: Capsules have a shorter expiration date, so if not used, they can expire soon.
- Less durable: Capsules are less stable than tablets; they may react according to the weather conditions, especially during high humidity.
- Animal Products: A Lot of capsules contain gelatine, which is extracted from cows, fish, or pigs. People who are vegetarians or vegans can face a lot of issues.
- More expensive: Capsules That come in a liquid form they are mainly expensive so I become expensive to manufacture.
- Lower doses: Compared to tablets, capsules cannot accommodate as much dose as tablets can. You may need to take a high dose so that the capsule works in your body.
Is it safe to crush or open the capsule?
Some risks are associated when it comes to breaking or crushing the tablet or capsules. When you try to do this, you can alter the absorption of drugs in your body. This can even result in tampering with drugs, which can result in an improper outcome of the medicine. Some special coatings are given to tablet and capsules that prevents disintegration in the stomach, which can even lead to absorption of medicine in the stomach. This can even lead to over- or under-dosing, which can lead to other issues. Overdosing can happen with over over-release of the pill, the active ingredients may get released at the same time and create issues.
Tablet or capsules—which one is easy to swallow?
There are different shapes and sizes of tablets; the bigger tablets are hard to swallow for most people. A lot of people face swallowing issues when it comes to both capsules and tablets. Tablets are mainly hard and stiff, and capsules, such as soft which, make it hard to swallow. Below, we have mentioned some of the strategies that can make the process of swallowing easier.
- Before putting any tablet or capsule in your mouth, you need to visualize that you have swallowed the medicine, and after this, put the medicine in your mouth and do it again.
- Drink the water from a narrow opening water bottle and then take the pill.
- Lean your body slightly forward when you are swallowing the pill.
- You can even put the pill in the semi-liquid food.
- You can easily apply gel lubricant or edible spray on the pill before swallowing.
Difference between tablets and capsules?
Below, we will discuss all the features related to the differences between tablets and capsules. There are several similarities between capsules and tablets, but it is also important to know the differences, such as the fact that capsules are more sensitive to humidity than tablets. Whereas tablets are sometimes produced with a better aftertaste, which becomes a problem for people to consume.
- Absorption: The rate of absorption of any medicine in the body indicates how effective the medicine is. Coming to capsules, it is known for their bioavailability, this even means that most of the medicine from the capsules is being absorbed into the bloodstream. This mainly happens because of the gelatine shell, which protects the medicine from getting dissolved, it reaching the stomach and small intestine. This is one of the main reasons that capsules are considered more effective than tablets.
Coming to the tablet, it may take a lot of time to reach or show effectiveness in the body, especially when the tablets are extended or delayed release. Tablets come with a dose that releases slowly this make sure that the dose of the medicine is working throughout the day.
If you are also figuring out and seeing the comparison between the tablet and capsule, then selection mainly depends on whether the other person is looking for a prolonged effect or a quick effect. If you break the tablet, then there is a chance that you may not get the correct amount of dose needed, for you can even see the same composition with a little mg in capsules. - Cost-effective: When it comes to seeing which one is more cost-effective than tablets and capsules can differ greatly. If you see the difference between tablets and capsules, then you must know that tablets are easier and cheaper to produce, so the tablets that are available in the market are cheaper than capsules. Tablets mainly have more shelf life than capsules, so there is no need to refill the medicine box again and again. The tablet form of venlafaxine and amoxicillin is cheaper than the capsule forms. This even helps people who are looking for slow efficient, and cost-effective medicine, then they must go for tablets.
But in some cases, capsules can be cheaper than tablets. As capsules come with quicker absorption and bioavailability, which helps in having a smaller amount of medicine. Capsules can be more effective when it comes to absorption, which helps in curing any issues faster. If you are looking for cost-effective medicine, then you must consult your physicians and ask which one a better for you. - Allergies and sensitivities: When it comes to selecting between the tablet and capsule than you need to keep one thing in mind that a lot of people are allergic to some or other ingredients. People who are on certain diets and people who avoid and don’t eat non veg then this can be an issue in capsules. Most of the capsules are made from gelatin, which is extracted from the animal itself. Vegan and vegetarian people can also consume capsules that are made from plant material or synthetic materials. Whereas tablets come with fillers, binders, and other things to combine all the doses, but this can even irritate your stomach and give you allergic reactions.
If you have previously faced any allergic reaction from any kind of medicine, then you must consult the doctor, who can guide you with the doses to consume and can even change the tablet that he prescribed. In such as, the doctor can prescribe enteric-coated tablets which will directly dissolve in your small intestine. This will help in minimizing all the irritation that you were facing when the tablet was dissolved in your stomach. If you are looking for a specific dose of medicine, you must consult a doctor who can help you make a correct decision.
How to choose between capsules and tablets?
When it comes to selection between tablets and capsules, all this depends on a lot of factors such as your preference, the nature of the medicine, and whether you are allergic to something. If you are looking for something that works fast and comes with fewer inactive ingredients, then you can go for capsules. Capsules are even preferred by those people who face a lot of issues while swallowing tablets, as capsules are easy to swallow because of their outer cover. If you are looking for quicker pain relief, then you must go for capsules.
On the other hand, when it comes to tablets, they are flexible in terms of form and dosage. Various types of tablets are available on the market, such as dissolvable tablets, chewable tablets, and enteric-coated tablets that ensure the release of the medication in the intestine. Ultimately, what matters most is the specific medicines that can address your issues and the requirements for those medications.
Future Deployment and Market Trends:
Huge changes are ongoing in the medical industry and technology, as per the upcoming innovations and trends. As it is observed that the trend is changing as people are getting more conscious of animal cruelty, vegan, and vegetarian, so people will prefer vegetarian capsules. A capsules cover was introduced, which was made from starch, which is also known as HPMC.
To lower the carbon footprint and follow eco-friendly materials, which can help the environment, and the materials are biodegradable. In the medical industry, ethical manufacturing and sustainable practices are becoming the norm worldwide.
In the coming time, due to this new technology, the tablets and capsules are going to be more innovative and smarter. If you take the example Multi Multi-chamber capsules have recently been discovered as they can carry multiple solutions and ingredients, and still, do not get mixed in the capsules. These capsules only mix when you swallow them. The patients who have problems with swallowing tablets also have so many options available, such as chewing tablets, mixing in water, special coated tablets, etc. As the trend is changing and the demand of the people is changing, as per that the medical industry is also evolving.
CONCLUSION:
We started this article with a debate on the difference between this tablet and capsules. But you may have understood from all the factors. These are two common types of oral medicine: tablets and capsules. Both come with the same purpose to relieve your body if it’s in any trouble, but have some key differences. You can see in the market that tablets are cost-effective, come in a variety of forms, and have a longer shelf life. Tablets can accommodate higher doses compared to capsules. Whereas, capsules come with quicker actions and in different forms and innovations.
As the technology is developing with the medical industry is also going hand in hand. In the coming year, you may see more innovation in the whole medical world.
