Manufacturing of Gelatin Capsules

Solid dosage forms containing drugs and excipients inside a gelatin shell, designed for oral administration.

Capsules with two parts: a body and a cap, usually holding powders, granules, or small pellets.

Capsules made of a single piece of gelatin, typically holding liquids or semi-solids.

The main ingredient of capsule shells, a protein derived from animal collagen.

Substances added to capsules to improve flexibility and prevent brittleness.

Capsules can mask the unpleasant taste and smell of medications.

Capsules are easy to swallow because they are slippery when moistened.

The gelatin shell dissolves quickly in the stomach, leading to a rapid onset of drug action.

Substances added to gelatin shells to make them more flexible and less brittle. Think of how a plasticizer makes plastic bendy!

They are used in higher concentrations in soft gelatin capsules to give them their soft texture.

Materials added during capsule manufacturing to help the process go smoothly. Like helpers in a kitchen!

A type of process aid that prevents bacterial growth during capsule production.

A type of process aid that allows the gelatin solution to coat the molds evenly.

A type of process aid added to powder mixes to improve their flow during capsule filling.

Substances added to increase the volume of the capsule filling, especially for small drug doses.

The size of a capsule is determined by the amount of drug it needs to hold.

Gelatin is a natural protein derived from animal collagen, primarily used for capsule shells. It's transparent, colorless, flavorless and odorless, forming a strong shell for oral medications.

Type A Gelatin is produced using acidic hydrolysis, mainly from animal skins. It's faster to manufacture than Type B.

Type B Gelatin is produced using basic hydrolysis, usually from animal bones. It's a longer manufacturing process compared to Type A.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a synthetic polymer, used instead of gelatin for vegetarian capsules. It's non-toxic and creates strong, flexible shells.

Colorants are added to capsule shells for identification and brand recognition. They can be water-soluble dyes like erythrosine or water-insoluble pigments like iron oxides.

Water-insoluble pigments, like iron oxides, are preferred for capsule shells because they provide better protection against light by making the capsule opaque.

Gelatin is highly safe, non-toxic, and inert, meaning it doesn't interact with the medication inside the capsule. It forms a strong, flexible film that dissolves easily in the body.

Capsules can have different colors for identification and brand recognition, achieved by adding colorants like dyes or pigments to the gelatin during production.

Metal pins used to create the shape of the capsule shell by dipping them in heated gelatin solution.

The gelatin solution is heated and then the metal pins are dipped into it, creating a thin film of gelatin on the pin.

As the gelatin solution cools and dries, it forms a thin, uniform film on the surface of the metal pins.

The metal moulds are slowly removed and rotated to ensure a uniform thickness of the gelatin shell.

The dried films are removed from the moulds, cut to the correct length, and then joined together to form a complete capsule.

A process where empty gelatin shells are filled with powdered medication.

Capsule filling done by hand, using a spatula to pack the powder into the capsule.

A machine that helps with filling capsules but still requires some manual steps.

A fully automated process that involves several steps like capping, filling, and ejecting filled capsules.

A type of automatic filling that involves removing the capsule cap, filling the body, replacing the cap, and ejecting the filled capsule.

The process of automatically filling capsules, often used in large-scale production.

This method involves manually placing the powder into the capsule body, ensuring the right weight and consistency.

Using a machine to fill capsules, increasing efficiency and production speed.

The process where gelatin is dissolved in hot water, additives are incorporated, and air bubbles are removed under vacuum to form a thick, viscous solution which is used to produce capsule shells.

Empty capsule shells are made by pouring the gelatin solution into molds, allowing it to solidify and dry, and finally separating the shells from the molds.

Powders, granules, pellets or mini-tablets are examples of solid fillings. Semi-solid suspensions and pastes can also be filled into hard gelatin capsules. Liquids, however, need to be adsorbed onto inert powders to form dry powders before encapsulation.

The viscosity of the gelatin solution dictates the thickness of the capsule shells.

Plasticizers, preservatives, colors, and flavors can be added to the capsule shell for flexibility, stability, and visual identification or flavoring.

The size of the capsule is determined by the amount of medication it needs to hold. Larger capsules hold more medication.

Larger capsules are available for veterinary use to accommodate larger medication dosages for animals.