Every day, millions of people all around the world use prescription capsules. Have you ever considered where they come from? This page is about the gelatin capsule, which has been the conventional shell excipient for almost a century. We also look at some of the new vegetarian-friendly shell excipients that have been developed.

Dissolvable capsules containing an active ingredient are known as capsules (such as a medication). They're a safe alternative to tablets, and they offer a number of benefits. For starters, capsules are easier to create than pills. As a result, the time it takes to design a product is cut in half, resulting in a faster time to market. Capsule technology allows pharmaceutical companies to encapsulate liquid and semi-liquid fillers, which is not possible with tablets.

Capsules help to improve patient compliance. Because capsules are smaller, they are easier to swallow, and they totally hide the disagreeable flavors associated with liquid medicine or gritty tablets. Capsules also have the advantage of being customisable, which means they may be created in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors for simple identification.

Gelatin capsules are one of the most often used capsules worldwide. To satisfy the demands of vegetarians, plant-based alternatives such as HPMC and modified starch have lately hit the market.

What's the difference between hard and soft capsules?

difficult-to-swallow capsules

Hard Shell Capsules are solid, cylindrical shells that are filled with dry or liquid contents and then sealed to prevent leakage. This is one of the oldest kinds of medicinal capsules.

Orally ingestible capsules are known as soft capsules.

Soft capsules (also known as softgels) are one-piece capsules made in a single process. Despite the fact that the manufacturing process for soft capsules is more complicated, companies can generate capsules with liquid or semi-liquid contents in a range of shapes and sizes using this method.

Gelatin capsules are preferred by customers because they are natural.

In recent years, consumers have become more cognizant of the origin, sustainability, and health aspects of the things they buy. The tightening of food labeling legislation and openness, such as the EU rule on consumer food information, are driving this trend. The usage of gelatin as a culinary component dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was used to prepare jellied foods. It's becoming a typical part of our lives, and many clients all over the world enjoy it as an ingredient. Gelatin is created from partially hydrolyzed collagen found in animal skins and bones and comes from natural sources.

Hard and soft capsule manufacture is a time-consuming process that demands precise calculations. After the capsules have been manufactured, their performance may vary. Let's have a look at some of the key technical features of hard and soft capsules.