Solid Dosage forms: Capsules

Capsules are solid preparations in which drug substance(s) and/or excipients are enclosed in either a soft or hard soluble shell.  The shell is normally made from gelatin or other suitable polymeric material and results in a simple, tasteless, odourless, elegant, easy-to-swallow dosage form without need for a secondary coating step.

Depending on the composition of the capsule shell, capsules may be classified as either hard or soft capsule, with soft capsules possessing a flexible, plasticized gelatin film. The shells may be composed of two pieces in the form of cylinders closed at one end; the shorter piece, called the ‘cap’ and the longer piece, called the ‘body’, or they may be composed of a single piece. The two-piece capsules and one-piece capsules are commonly referred to as hard-shell capsules and soft-shell capsules respectively.

The shells may be composed of two pieces in the form of cylinders closed at one end; the shorter piece, called the ‘cap’ and the longer piece, called the ‘body’, or they may be composed of a single piece. The two-piece capsules and one-piece capsules are commonly referred to as hard-shell capsules and soft-shell capsules respectively.

Capsule fill materials

Capsules may be filled with a range of formulation types including dry powders, semisolids, nonaqueous liquids, and other dosage forms such as beads, mini-tablets, and even mini capsules most of which are intended for oral administration. There are also specialty applications such as capsules that can be loaded into dry-powdered inhalers, add reagents as part of a diagnostic kit, and occasionally soft-shell capsules intended for rectal or vaginal insertion as suppositories.

The first capsule prepared from gelatin was a one-piece capsule patented in France by Pharmacist Joseph Gerard Dublanc and Francois Achille Barnabe Mothes (a pharmacy student) in 1834. Although the shells of these early capsules were not plasticized, such capsules likely would be classified today as soft gelatin capsules based on shape, contents, and other features.

In 1848, James Murdock invented the two-piece telescoping (hard gelatin) capsule patented in England in 1865.

Types of capsules

i. Hard gelatin capsules

Hard gelatin capsules also known as two-piece capsules or dry-filled capsules are solid dosage forms in which one or more drug substances and/or excipients are enclosed within a small shell. The shell consists of two parts: the body designed to contain the drug and the diluent, and the cap that is approximately half as long as the body.

Hard gelatin capsules are produced empty and are then filled in a separate operation. During the capsule filling unit operation, the body is filled with the medicament, followed by the insertion of the cap over the body.

Hard gelatin capsules are made from gelatin and other materials used either to enable capsule formation or to improve their performance. The capsules contain 13 – 16 % water, but the water content can vary, depending on the storage conditions.

Read More on Hard Gelatin Capsules: Formulation and Manufacturing Considerations

When the humidity is low, capsules can become brittle; if stored at high humidities, the capsules can become flaccid, sticky, and lose their shape. Storage in high-temperature areas can also affect the quality of hard gelatin capsules.

Hard shell capsules are available in a variety of standard sizes and are designated by numbers from 000 to 5. The size of the 000 capsule is the highest and that of the number 5 capsule is the smallest.

Standard capsule sizes.

ii. Soft gelatin capsules

Soft gelatin capsules

Soft gelatin capsules also referred to as soft shell capsule, soft elastic capsule, or softgel  are single-unit solid dosage form, consisting of a liquid, semi-solid, dry powders, or even preformed tablets fill enveloped by a one-piece hermetically sealed elastic outer shell.

Similar to hard gelatin shells, Soft gelatin capsules are made from shells of gelatin to which plasticizers such as glycerol, polyols or other suitable materials have been added. Other components may include dyes, opacifiers, flavours and preservatives (often included in the capsule shell formulation to prevent microbial or fungal growth).

Read More on Soft Gelatin Capsules: Formulation and Manufacturing Considerations

The distinctive feature of this type of capsule is its one-piece construction. The feeding and sealing are achieved by only one machine.

Filled soft gelatin capsules are commercially available in a wide variety of shapes (e.g. round, oblong, tubular). They may be single coloured or two-toned and may be imprinted with identifying markings.

The size of soft gelatin capsules represents its nominal capacity in minims, for example, a 30 oval softgel can accommodate 30 minims (or 1.848 cm3).

Read Also: Capsule Filling Machines (Encapsulators)

Advantages of capsules

• Capsules are convenient means of eliminating unpleasant taste and odour of drugs by enclosing ingredients in an almost tasteless and odourless shell.
• Capsules are elegant in appearance
• They are relatively easy to swallow (suitable shape and slippery when moistened)
• Consumer preference regarding ease of swallowing, convenience, and taste can improve compliance.
• They are easily filled either extemporaneously or in large quantities commercially.
• Capsules (generally soft shell capsules) may be formulated to increase the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
• Capsules offer opportunities for product differentiation via colour, shape, and size and product line extension.
• Capsules are made from gelatin; hence they are therapeutically inert.
• The stability of therapeutic agents may be improved in a capsule formulation.

Read Also: Compendial Standards and Regulatory Requirements for Capsules

Disadvantages of capsules

• Capsules are unsuitable for very small children
• They cannot be used for substances that react with or dissolve gelatin, the major component
• Capsules become brittle under very dry conditions and may crack during the filling process.
• They absorb moisture and soften under high humidity.
• Potential stability problems may be associated with capsules containing liquid fills.
• The manufacture of capsules (generally softgels) require specialist manufacture and incur high production costs.

References

• Allen L. and Ansel H. (2014). Ansel’s Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems. Philadelphia: Lipincott Williams and Wilkins.
• Aulton, M. and Taylor, K. (2013). Aulton’s Pharmaceutics: The Design and Manufacture of Medicines, (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
• Dash, A., Singh, S. and Tolman, J. (2014). Pharmaceutics – Basic Principles and Application to Pharmacy Practice. USA: Academic Press.
• Felton, L. (2012). Remington Essentials of Pharmaceutics. UK: Pharmaceutical press.
• Ghosh, T. and Jasti, B. (2005). Theory and Practice of Contemporary Pharmaceutics. USA: CRC Press LLC.
• Hoag, S. (2017). Capsules Dosage Form: Formulation and Manufacturing Considerations. In Y. Qui, Y. Chen, G. Zhang, L. Yu, and R. Mantri (Eds.), Developing Solid Oral Dosage Forms – Pharmaceutical Theory and Practice, (2nd ed.) (pp. 723-747). UK: Elsevier Inc.
• https://www.capsugel.com/
• Jones D. (2008). Fasttrack Pharmaceutics – Dosage Form and Design. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
• Lachman, L., Lieberman, H. and Kangi, J. (1990). The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy (3rd ed.). USA: Lea & Febiger.
• Ofoefule, S. (2002). Textbook of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy. Nigeria: Samakin (Nig) Enterprise.
• Shayne, C. (2008). Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Handbook: Production and Processes. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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