Classification Of Pharmaceutical Capsule

There are different types of capsules. The choice of capsule form is determined by the contents and the function. When choosing a capsule type, formulators should consider factors such as the shell’s barrier to water and oxygen, reactivity, and the material it is made of.

Pharmaceutical capsules

The capsule shell may also incorporate antimicrobial preservatives, fillers, flavouring agents, sweeteners and coloring agents. It may also be coated with a film of material designed to alter the release of the API. Branding and dosage information may be printed on the outer surface of the capsule.

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Types Of Pharmaceutical Capsule

There are two categories of pharmaceutical capsules. They are based on;

1. Content

2. Shell

Content

It is divided into solid drugs (dry filled) and liquid drugs (liquid filled) depending on the physical state of the drug to be filled.

Shell

According to the raw material used in the formulation, the capsule can also be divided into a hard gelatin capsule, soft gelatin capsule, HPMC capsule, pullulan capsule, starch capsule, enteric capsules, metallic capsules, fish gelatin capsules, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) capsules and liquid-filled hard capsules (LFHC).

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One thing to note is that dry fill can be used in hard gelatin and HPMC capsules. On the other hand, liquid fill can be in hard gelatin or HPMC capsules or soft gelatin capsules.