Are capsules and caplets the same?
No. They are not.
So, what’s the difference between a caplet and a capsule?
It is simple….a caplet is a tablet that looks like a capsule…a caplet is shaped like a capsule but it remains a tablet.
You get?
A caplet can be broken in half while a capsule not.
A capsule can withstand degradation by stomach acid when compared to a caplet or a tablet
A caplet is usually enterically coated to prevent irritation of the stomach and intestines but a capsule is not coated so it can irritate the stomach and cause nausea.
Caplets have longer shelf life than capsules.
Capsules are easily degraded by the environment…
A capsule cannot accommodate larger formulations when compared to caplets or tablets..Tablets can accommodate large dose of the active ingredient
Some capsules may contain animal products like gelatin….
Capsules have a shorter onset of action than caplets or tablets.
A drug can have both caplet and tablet forms for example, paracetamol has both caplet and tablet….many drugs especially proton pump inhibitors for example, Omeprazole, rabeprazole, esoprazole etc comes in capsule forms only.
Caplets may be chewable but not capsules, chewing a capsule may render it ineffective or inactive.
📌Tablets can be cut into two, whereas capsules cannot be cut into two.
📌A capsule consists of powder or jelly enclosed in a dissolvable gelatin container. A tablet is a compressed powder in solid form.
Definition
Capsules are drugs or medicines that are enclosed in an outer shell that is absorbed in the digestive tract. The medication in the capsule is absorbed into the bloodstream and is distributed and metabolized similar to medication that is formulated in a caplet/tablet.
There are two common types of capsule forms: hard-shelled capsules and soft-gel capsules.
Image Credit: Gelita…
