Information for Patients | Tablet and capsule coatings

There are however some tablet coatings that change the way that the medicine will work.

Extended release tablets have a special coating that slowly releases the drug into the body, usually over a period of 12 hours or more. This increases the length of time that you will benefit from the action of the drug which means that you will only need to take the medicine once or twice a day so it is easy to remember and more convenient. It may also protect the body from any harm that may occur if the drug was released too quickly.

These medicines will usually have the letters m/r, LA, XL, SA, CR or SR, or the words 'Retard' or 'Slow' after the name.

Enteric coatings delay the release of the medicine until it has passed through the stomach and reached the intestine. This is useful when a drug may be damaged by the acid in the stomach or where it may irritate the lining of the stomach.

These medicines will usually have the letters EC or EN after the name.

Capsules consist of the active ingredient(s) together with a combination of different excipients similar to those used in tablets, contained within either a hard or soft gelatin shell.

Hard gelatin shells consist of two cylindrical pieces that known as the 'body' and the 'cap' and which are closed at one end. The filling of the capsule is placed inside the 'body' and then the 'cap' is fitted over the open end to close the capsule. The shells themselves are clear, colourless and virtually tasteless, although colourings and markings can easily be added to protect the medicine from light and to help it to be identified. Most are filled with a powder mixture containing the medicine although enteric-coated or extended-release preparations are filled with specially coated pellets or beads. Contac 400 capsules for colds are an example of these with ingredients that are in different sized beads to release the medicine at different times.

Soft gelatin shells are flexible and may be transparent or opaque and can be coloured or flavoured. They are made in one piece and usually contain liquids, such as with cod liver oil capsules. For enteric-resistant or extended-release medicines the shell itself is specially coated.



Information for patients or parents of children who can't swallow tablets Tablet and capsule coatings Not all tablets are coated but of those that are film coatings are the most common although several older preparations, such as Nurofen, still have sugar coats. There are many reasons for coating tablets, including to: Protect the tablet from damage by light or moisture Improve the taste of a tablet Help identify a tablet Improve the appearance of a tablet. There are however some tablet coatings that change the way that the medicine will work. Extended Release Extended release tablets have a special coating that slowly releases the drug into the body, usually over a period of 12 hours or more. This increases the length of time that you will benefit from the action of the drug which means that you will only need to take the medicine once or twice a day so it is easy to remember and more convenient. It may also protect the body from any harm that may occur if the drug was released too quickly. These medicines will usually have the letters m/r, LA, XL, SA, CR or SR, or the words 'Retard' or 'Slow' after the name. Enteric Coatings Enteric coatings delay the release of the medicine until it has passed through the stomach and reached the intestine. This is useful when a drug may be damaged by the acid in the stomach or where it may irritate the lining of the stomach. These medicines will usually have the letters EC or EN after the name. Capsules Capsules consist of the active ingredient(s) together with a combination of different excipients similar to those used in tablets, contained within either a hard or soft gelatin shell. Hard gelatin shells consist of two cylindrical pieces that known as the 'body' and the 'cap' and which are closed at one end. The filling of the capsule is placed inside the 'body' and then the 'cap' is fitted over the open end to close the capsule. The shells themselves are clear, colourless and virtually tasteless, although colourings and markings can easily be added to protect the medicine from light and to help it to be identified. Most are filled with a powder mixture containing the medicine although enteric-coated or extended-release preparations are filled with specially coated pellets or beads. Contac 400 capsules for colds are an example of these with ingredients that are in different sized beads to release the medicine at different times. Soft gelatin shells are flexible and may be transparent or opaque and can be coloured or flavoured. They are made in one piece and usually contain liquids, such as with cod liver oil capsules. For enteric-resistant or extended-release medicines the shell itself is specially coated. Other links in this section: Find out what your tablet contains. Discover how your tablet works. Check which tablets and capsules should not be crushed or opened and why. Advice on what to do if you are having difficulty taking your medicine. Comprehensive list of liquid and non-oral alternatives to tablet or capsule formulations. << Back to the home page