Capsules

1. Hard Gelatin Capsules: Hard gelatin capsules are composed of two joined pieces, with an outer coating made of edible gelatin, a protein. Inside the capsule, various powdered medications are filled to address specific health issues.
2. Soft Gelatin Capsules: The manufacturing process for soft gelatin capsules is quite similar to that of hard gelatin capsules, but with a key difference in moisture content. During the production of soft gel capsules, plasticizers are added, making the capsules elastic and stable. Unlike hard gelatin capsules, soft gel capsules are not divided into parts but are a single unit. They are commonly used to deliver essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and calcium.

Pharmaceutical capsules are essential products that deliver medication in a convenient and effective form, and their quality and reliability depend heavily on the expertise of pharmaceutical manufacturers. These pharmaceutical manufacturers are responsible for developing, producing, and ensuring the safety of the capsules, adhering to stringent regulatory standards. Pharmaceutical capsules play a crucial role in global clinical trials as blinding for the test products is usually undertaken using a hard gelatine capsule. The double-blind local as well as global clinical trials use capsules to mask the test and reference product so that both interventions look similar and both patient and the investigator are unaware about the intervention that is provided, this helps to reduce the bias in an experiment. Capsules are widely favored by consumers due to several advantages. Notably, a survey indicated that 52.9% of consumers prefer capsules over other dosage forms. One key benefit is their minimal use of excipients, enabling them to be compact and lightweight, thus facilitating easier swallowing. Soft gel capsules are highly regarded for their ease of ingestion. Additionally, capsules can be individually packaged, enhancing convenience for portability. Crucially, essential details such as drug name, brand, and dosage can be printed directly on the capsule, aiding in medication management and reducing the risk of inadvertent mix-ups, particularly for those taking multiple medications.