Information for patients or parents of children who can't swallow tablets
What does my tablet contain?
As well as the 'active' ingredient (the medicine which actually causes the change in the body that you want), the tablet contains a number of other ingredients which ensure that the tablet is easy to use and of a high quality. These ingredients have been chosen because they do not affect the body and will not cause you any harm.
A typical tablet contains:
There are many different types of coating that tablets and capsules can have.
TABLET EXCIPIENTS
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A filler, such as sucrose or lactose, is included to increase the size of the tablet. This is necessary as often the amount of 'active' is so tiny that the tablet would be too small to handle without it. |
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Disintegrants help the tablet to break down into small fragments, when it is ingested. This helps the medicine to dissolve and be taken up by the body so that it can act more quickly. Disintegrants may include potato or cocoa butter. |
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A binder, such as glucose or sucrose, is added to hold the tablet together after it has been compressed, stopping it from breaking down into its separate ingredients. |
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The glidant helps to keep the powder making up the tablet flowing as the tablet is being made, stopping it from forming lumps. |
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Lubricants ensure that the tablet has a smooth surface and that the powder does not stick to the equipment used to make the tablet. |
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The antiadherent also stops the powder from sticking to the equipment as the tablet is being made. |
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Flavouring agents help to make the tablet taste better. |
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Colours are added to help you to recognize your tablet and to make it easier to take your medicine correctly. |
Other links in this section:
- Learn more about tablet and capsule
coatings and how they affect the action of the medicine.
- 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.
