Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of lubricating stainless-steel molds before dipping into the gelatin solution?
What is the primary purpose of lubricating stainless-steel molds before dipping into the gelatin solution?
What is crucial for achieving a uniformly filled capsule with powder filling?
What is crucial for achieving a uniformly filled capsule with powder filling?
Which of the following is NOT a permitted liquid filler for hard gelatin capsules?
Which of the following is NOT a permitted liquid filler for hard gelatin capsules?
What characteristic do granules and pellets need to possess for uniform filling in capsules?
What characteristic do granules and pellets need to possess for uniform filling in capsules?
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What type of agents are included in powder filling to enhance drug release?
What type of agents are included in powder filling to enhance drug release?
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What material is primarily used to create cachets?
What material is primarily used to create cachets?
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Which of the following is an advantage of cachets?
Which of the following is an advantage of cachets?
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What is a disadvantage of using cachets?
What is a disadvantage of using cachets?
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How are cachets typically prepared?
How are cachets typically prepared?
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What characteristic makes swallowing cachets difficult for some patients?
What characteristic makes swallowing cachets difficult for some patients?
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Which of the following characteristics of cachets contributes to the need for them to be softened before swallowing?
Which of the following characteristics of cachets contributes to the need for them to be softened before swallowing?
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Which of the following statements about cachets is true?
Which of the following statements about cachets is true?
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What is the main reason cachets might not be suitable for filling drugs on a large scale?
What is the main reason cachets might not be suitable for filling drugs on a large scale?
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What is a characteristic feature of hard gelatin capsules?
What is a characteristic feature of hard gelatin capsules?
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What sizes do hard gelatin capsules range from?
What sizes do hard gelatin capsules range from?
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What is the main purpose of soft gelatin capsules?
What is the main purpose of soft gelatin capsules?
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How are soft gelatin capsules typically manufactured?
How are soft gelatin capsules typically manufactured?
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What is typically added to hard gelatin capsules for protection?
What is typically added to hard gelatin capsules for protection?
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Which type of medication can NOT be filled in hard gelatin capsules?
Which type of medication can NOT be filled in hard gelatin capsules?
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What is the primary advantage of using soft gelatin capsules over powders?
What is the primary advantage of using soft gelatin capsules over powders?
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What happens to soft gelatin capsules when filled?
What happens to soft gelatin capsules when filled?
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What is a key characteristic that differentiates hard gelatin capsules from soft gelatin capsules?
What is a key characteristic that differentiates hard gelatin capsules from soft gelatin capsules?
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Which of the following is a common advantage of using capsules for medication?
Which of the following is a common advantage of using capsules for medication?
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What type of medication do soft gelatin capsules typically contain?
What type of medication do soft gelatin capsules typically contain?
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What is a notable disadvantage of using capsules for medication delivery?
What is a notable disadvantage of using capsules for medication delivery?
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Capsules are not suitable for certain drugs. Which of the following drugs would be inappropriate to encapsulate?
Capsules are not suitable for certain drugs. Which of the following drugs would be inappropriate to encapsulate?
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What manufacturing characteristic is true about hard gelatin capsules?
What manufacturing characteristic is true about hard gelatin capsules?
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What is the primary source for the preparation of gelatin?
What is the primary source for the preparation of gelatin?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the formulation of capsules?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the formulation of capsules?
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What is a common shape of soft gelatin capsules?
What is a common shape of soft gelatin capsules?
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Which type of gelatin is produced through acid hydrolysis?
Which type of gelatin is produced through acid hydrolysis?
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What is the significance of bloom strength in gelatin?
What is the significance of bloom strength in gelatin?
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What is the typical water content in hard gelatin capsule shells during formation?
What is the typical water content in hard gelatin capsule shells during formation?
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Which property of gelatin helps control the thickness of films or sheets?
Which property of gelatin helps control the thickness of films or sheets?
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What happens to a gelatin solution when it undergoes a phase change?
What happens to a gelatin solution when it undergoes a phase change?
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The main raw materials for gelatin manufacturing are?
The main raw materials for gelatin manufacturing are?
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What final water content is targeted after drying gelatin capsules filled with a drug?
What final water content is targeted after drying gelatin capsules filled with a drug?
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What percentage of water content do soft gelatin capsules typically maintain?
What percentage of water content do soft gelatin capsules typically maintain?
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What is the purpose of adding plasticisers to soft gelatin capsules?
What is the purpose of adding plasticisers to soft gelatin capsules?
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Which of the following is NOT a common preservative added to capsule gelatin?
Which of the following is NOT a common preservative added to capsule gelatin?
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What is the typical ratio of plasticiser to gelatin in soft gelatin capsules?
What is the typical ratio of plasticiser to gelatin in soft gelatin capsules?
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What kind of agents are sometimes added to soft gelatin capsules to prevent surface growth during storage?
What kind of agents are sometimes added to soft gelatin capsules to prevent surface growth during storage?
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What is the primary function of using colorants in soft gelatin capsules?
What is the primary function of using colorants in soft gelatin capsules?
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Which of the following is an example of a plasticiser?
Which of the following is an example of a plasticiser?
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What is the purpose of incorporating wetting agents during the preparation of gelatin solutions?
What is the purpose of incorporating wetting agents during the preparation of gelatin solutions?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Capsules
- The presentation introduces capsules, a solid dosage form of medication.
- The presenter, Nurul Alyaa Binti Ibrahim, is a pharmacist from UiTM Pulau Pinang.
Learning Outcomes
- Students should understand cachet formulations in pharmaceutical preparations.
- They should be able to explain the advantages and disadvantages of capsules, along with their different types and characteristics.
- The quality standards, containers, labeling, and storage of capsules should be described.
- The general principles of capsule manufacturing and dispensing are included.
Lecture Outline
- The lecture covers cachets, different types of capsules, advantages and disadvantages, and capsule components.
Cachets
- Cachets are solid dosage forms of drugs, also known as wafer capsules.
- They consist of two plate-shaped rice paper filled with dry powder, typically up to 2 grams.
- Cachets are molded from rice flour mixed with water, forming a wafer between two hot cylinders.
- The powder is ingested after dipping the cachet in water. This prevents the patient from tasting the powder.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Capsules
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Advantages:*
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Easy to make
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Quickly disintegrates in the stomach
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Large doses of medication can be swallowed.
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Disadvantages:*
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Easily damaged
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Requires softening before swallowing
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The enclosed material isn't protected from light and moisture.
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Not suitable for large-scale drug filling
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Occupies more space compared to tablets and capsules.
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Rarely used nowadays.
Capsule Components
- Gelatin
- Preservatives
- Plasticizers
- Colourants
- Wetting agents
Types of Capsules
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Hard gelatin capsules: made from gelatin, clear, colorless and tasteless, filled with powders, granules or pellets.
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Soft gelatin capsules: flexible, containing powders, liquids, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, or pastes. They are manufactured and filled in a single operation. Appear swollen and contain a large proportion of plasticizer.
Hard Gelatin Capsule Size
- Capsule sizes range from 000 (largest) to 5 (smallest) based on granule capacity.
- Some capsules have a ridge 'lock' at the join, a feature patented by Eli Lilly in 1963.
Manufacturing Hard Gelatin Capsules
- Capsule molds are dipped in gelatin solution
- The molds raise to let bodies & caps set and dry
- Capsules stripped from pins
- Bodies and caps are automatically joined.
- Capsules are pushed onto a conveyor belt to be collected
Water Content in Capsule Shell
- Hard Gelatin: Water content is 14-16% for capsule formation, and 13% after drug filling.
- Soft Gelatin: 30-40% prior to final drying, with a final content of 5-14%.
Preservatives
- Preservatives are sometimes added to the gelatin to prevent microbial contamination, especially during manufacturing, as finished capsules have low enough moisture to not support bacterial growth.
- Soft gelatin capsules may include antifungal agents to prevent surface growth during storage.
Plasticizers
- Added for flexibility; examples include glycerol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, sucrose, and acacia.
- Soft gelatin capsules contain a higher proportion of plasticizers, leading to their flexibility.
Colourants
- Added to enhance the aesthetic properties & for identification.
- Common colourants include soluble dyes and insoluble pigments (e.g., titanium dioxide, iron oxides).
Wetting Agents
- Used to reduce surface tension during the gelatin solution preparation stage. Adding wetting agents to the gelatin ensures the mold pins are uniformly wet, improving production of the uniform-thickness gelatin. An example is Sodium lauryl sulfate.
What Needs to Go Inside Capsules
- Powder filling & Non-powder filling.
Powder Filling
- Consists of active ingredients, diluents, and additives.
- Proper powder flow is crucial for uniform filling
- Free-flowing excipients (such as magnesium stearate) are used to improve flow. Fillings should be readily wetted and dispersed for proper release.
Non-Powder Filling
- Includes liquids, granules, pellets, and semi-solids.
- Water is not suitable for direct hard gelatin encapsulation, but sometimes used for soft gelatin..
- Non-aqueous materials, oils, and water-miscible liquids are used for encapsulating.
Non-powder Filling #2
- Granules and pellets should have a spherical shape and be free-flowing and regular in shape and size for uniform filling.
Non-powder Filling #3
- Semi-solids can be incorporated into hard and soft gelatin capsules.
- During filling, the mixture may need to be liquid but becomes solid when at room temperature—this is achievable by using thermosoftening or thixotropic materials.
Hard vs Soft Capsules
- Hard capsules are typically made of two pieces (cap and body), while soft capsules are made of a single piece.
- Hard gelatin capsules are typically used for solid medications, whereas soft gelatin capsules are often used for liquid or semi-solid medications.
Advantages of Capsules
- Masking of unpleasant odors or tastes
- Rapid and uniform drug release
- Increased oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs
- Fewer excipients may be required
Disadvantages of Capsules
- Specific manufacturing equipment is needed
- Limited selection of excipients
- Stability issues with liquids
- Problems with homogeneity of fill weight and content
- Capsules can't be divided into individual doses
Capsule Applications
- Primarily used for oral drugs
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of capsules as a solid dosage form of medication. Presented by pharmacist Nurul Alyaa Binti Ibrahim, it covers cachet formulations, advantages, disadvantages, and manufacturing processes. Students will gain insights into quality standards, labeling, and storage of capsules.
