Introduction
Tablets are among the most frequently used dosage forms in the treatment of patients. They are portable, easy to manipulate and they afford accurate dosing. As pharmaceutical science has developed, various types of tablets have been developed to meet the needs of the patient, to deliver the drug effectively and to ensure compliance. It is therefore important for both the healthcare professionals and patients to have adequate knowledge about the types of tablets in order to make the right choice on the most appropriate treatment to administer.
Comparing capsule and tablet, it is seen that tablets are more popular because of their stability and shelf life. Tablets are solid dosage forms that may include one or more active ingredients and other substances known as excipients. This makes sure that the drug is delivered as it is through the digestive system or any other specific area. The types of tablets are very many and they include the fast release tablets, sustained release tablets and even the coated tablets to protect the stomach. In this article, the author will discuss the various types of tablets that are available in the pharmacy and the features that are associated with them as well as the methods of preparation.
Overview of Tablet Types in Pharmacy
The pharmaceutical industry manufactures different types of tablets with an aim of achieving certain therapeutic goals. The main difference between the types of tablets is in the manner of drug release and their effect on the body. There are some tablets that disintegrate quickly and the drug reaches the blood stream in minutes while there are others that are designed to release the drug slowly over a period of several hours. These are the characteristics that make tablets flexible and capable of meeting all sorts of conditions.
Another benefit of pharmaceutical tablets is the flexibility of formulation that is associated with the product. Tablets can be developed to release the drug in the specific part of the gastrointestinal tract or to release it slowly over a period of time to keep up the therapeutic concentration in the blood stream. Also, they provide flexibility in tablet manufacturing and allows for the control of dosage forms. The choice between capsule and tablet depends on the patient’s preference and the medical requirements of the patient. Knowledge of the differences can assist in maximizing the delivery of the drugs and minimizing discomfort to the patient.
Types of Tablets
| Tablet Type | Pros | Cons |
| Conventional Tablets (Immediate Release) | Quick drug absorption and action. Easy to manufacture and widely available. Affordable. | May irritate the stomach. Not suitable for drugs requiring controlled release. |
| Chewable Tablets | Easier for children and adults who have difficulty swallowing. Pleasant taste. Does not require water to ingest. | Not suitable for drugs that require a controlled release. May not be suitable for drugs with unpleasant taste despite flavoring. |
| Effervescent Tablets | Rapid absorption and onset of action. Masks unpleasant taste. Easier to swallow (dissolved in water). | Must be dissolved in water, which can be inconvenient. More expensive than conventional tablets. |
| Sublingual and Buccal Tablets | Fast absorption through mucous membranes. Bypasses the digestive system, avoiding degradation by stomach acid. | Not all drugs can be administered this way. May cause irritation to the mouth or gums. |
| Extended-Release Tablets | Provides a steady release of the drug over time. Reduces dosing frequency, enhancing patient compliance. | More complex and expensive to manufacture. May not be suitable for acute conditions requiring immediate drug action. |
| Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs) | Convenient for patients with difficulty swallowing. Fast disintegration and absorption. | May be fragile and difficult to handle. Limited to specific types of drugs that can be absorbed through the oral mucosa. |
| Coated Tablets | Masks unpleasant taste or smell. Protects active ingredients from moisture and air. Easier to swallow. | More expensive due to the coating process. The coating can sometimes delay absorption. |
| Enteric-Coated Tablets | Protects drugs from stomach acid. Delivers drugs to the small intestine, reducing irritation of the stomach lining. | Delayed drug absorption until the tablet reaches the intestine. Ineffective for drugs requiring immediate action. |
| Controlled-Release Tablets | Maintains a constant drug level in the bloodstream. Reduces the risk of side effects due to fluctuating drug levels. | Expensive to manufacture. Not suitable for all drugs. May lead to incomplete drug release if not taken correctly. |
Conventional Tablets (Immediate Release)
Conventional tablets or sometimes called as immediate-release tablets are the most popular type of tablets in use today. These tablets are intended to disintegrate and dissolve in the stomach and therefore the drug can be absorbed in the bloodstream. They are suitable for drugs that need to have a quick action in the body. But they may not be effective for drugs that can cause irritation to the stomach lining.
Conventional tablets are usually taken with water and they are a perfect example of what is a tablet medicine. Their production technique is fairly straightforward, which entails the compaction of ocess is relatively simple, involving the compression of active pharmaceutical ingredients with excipients. They are characterized by a short disintegration time and therefore offer immediate therapeutic benefits making them suitable for use in acute conditions.
Chewable Tablets
Chewable tablets are tablets that are meant to be chewed before swallowing and this makes it easier for children or even grown people who have challenges in swallowing pills to use them. Such tablets are usually available in pleasant tastes to help the patient overcome the bitter taste of the drug.
Another feature of chewable tablets is that they do not require water to be ingested and can be taken almost anywhere. In some circumstances, patients may prefer chewable tablets over capsules, and this is the never-ending debate of capsule vs tablet for patient compliance.
Effervescent Tablets
Effervescent tablets are prepared to dissolve in water before taking the tablets. When dissolved, they release carbon dioxide which makes the solution to be fizzy. This fizzing action assists in the rapid delivery of the drug and may also assist in the process of hiding bitter tastes. These tablets are most appropriate when there is need to have a fast absorption of the drug or when the patient cannot be able to swallow solid dosage forms.
Sour tablets are usually made of citric acid and tartaric acid which when comes into contact with water the reaction produces the fizzing. They are an excellent example of what type of tablet is this when patients require a rapid onset of action or when they have a complaint about the taste of the medicine.
Sublingual and Buccal Tablets
Sublingual and buccal tablets are intended to be placed under the tongue (sublingual) or between the gum and the cheek (buccal) and dissolve in the saliva. These tablets dissolve in the saliva and are absorbed through the mucous membranes and do not go through the digestive tract at all. These routes of administration are faster and therefore can be used in medications that require a rapid onset of action.
The difference between the types of tablet drugs is well illustrated when comparing sublingual and buccal tablets with the conventional forms. These specialized tablets provide a different method of drug delivery particularly for drugs that are not stable in the stomach or those drugs that are metabolized in the liver in the first instance.
Extended-Release Tablets
The extended-release tablets are designed to release the active ingredient in the tablets slowly into the body and over a long period of time. These tablets are especially suitable for drugs that require a constant concentration in the blood, for example, for long-term diseases. This type of tablet reduces the dosing frequency and increases the patient compliance.
Compared to other types of pharmaceuticals, extended-release tablets are preferred because they can be taken less frequently than other types of tablets, which can be an advantage for patients who have to take several drugs a day.
Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are tablets that disintegrate in the mouth without the need to use water for swallowing the medicine. These tablets are particularly beneficial for patients who have problems with their swallowing or require a quick-acting drug. They are an easy substitute for ordinary tablets and are quite useful in situations where one cannot swallow the normal tablets.
ODTs are a type of pharmaceutical tablet that has a faster disintegration process than any other type of pill. They may include additives that facilitate quick dissolution and absorption of the drug and this makes them suitable for some drugs.
Coated Tablets
Coated tablets are coated with a thin layer of material which may be used to hide the taste or smell of the drug, to protect the active ingredient from moisture or air, or to make the tablet dissolve only in certain parts of the gastrointestinal tract. It can also facilitate swallowing of the tablet since it forms a coating on the surface of the tablet, providing an effective way to improve patient compliance.
Different methods of coating are used in tablets, and the type of coating that is used determines the rate of release of the drug. Coated tablets can be a sugar coating or a more complex polymer coat that aims at enhancing the patient’s experience and guarantees that the drug gets to the right part of the digestive system without being affected.
Enteric-Coated Tablets
Enteric-coated tablets are intended to pass through the stomach and disintegrate in the small intestine. This coating helps to shield the active ingredient from the effect of the stomach acid, it is particularly appropriate for drugs that may cause irritation of the stomach lining or drugs that are likely to be affected by the stomach acid. Enteric coated tablets are widely used in the modern techniques of manufacturing of tablets.
The enteric coating provides protection to the drug from the acidic environment of the stomach and releases the drug only in the alkaline environment of the intestine. This is a classic example of a type of pill that enhances drug delivery and patients’ compliance.
Controlled-Release Tablets
Controlled-release tablets give out the drug in a particular time span as opposed to immediate-release tablets. They are similar to the extended-release tablets, however, they are often more complex in their release profiles. This makes sure that the patient has a constant concentration of the drug in the body, thus avoiding side effects that may be as a result of fluctuations in the concentration of the drug.
Compared to other types of tablets, controlled-release formulations are more complex and need more sophisticated manufacturing processes and may contain specific pharmaceutical excipients to control the release rate.
Tablet Manufacturing Process
Tablet manufacturing can be defined as the process of converting the active ingredients mixed with excipients into solid dosage forms through compression. The process has to be well monitored so as to achieve the desired size, shape and weight of the tablets. In production of tablets, other pharmaceutical ingredients like binders, diluents and lubricants are incorporated to enhance the stability, bioavailability and palatability of the tablet.
Another crucial factor that needs to be considered in the production of tablets is the distribution of the drug in the tablets. This ensures that each dose has the right amount of the active ingredient as required for the body to heal. Also, other advanced methods of manufacturing involve processes like tablet coating which can help in preventing the drug from degrading hence enhancing its shelf life.
Drug Release Mechanisms
It is important to understand that there are many types of tablets and each of them is developed to release its active substances in a certain manner. The tablets are quickly disintegrated and therefore, offer quick therapeutic relief to the patient. On the other hand, extended-release tablets are prepared to release the drug slowly and continuously over a long period to maintain the therapeutic level. Controlled-release tablets are even more accurate in delivering the drug since it releases the drug in the body gradually.
In cases where the drug has to avoid the stomach, enteric coated tablets help in the release of the medication only in the small intestine. This is because the drug cannot be broken down by stomach acid and it gets to its target in its intact form. Knowledge of these release mechanisms enables one to select the right type of tablet for the individual patient.
Tablet Storage and Stability
Tablets have to be kept in conditions that will not affect their stability and effectiveness in any way. The active ingredient in a compressed tablet may be affected by moisture, heat, or light, or the disintegration of the solid dose tablet may be compromised. Polymer-coated tablets are less susceptible to environmental conditions compared to other coated tablets, but they should also be stored properly to ensure that they remain effective.
The stability of the solid dose tablet is also important to maintain the potency of the medication up to the shelf life of the product. This is why it is crucial to keep tablets in their respective containers and in a cool, dry environment. The shelf life of tablets depends on the manufacturing process as well as the excipients used in the formulation.
Choosing the Right Tablet Type
The choice of the type of tablet depends on several factors such as the nature of the patient’s condition, the nature of the drug and the intended release profile. For instance, chewable tablets are preferred for children while extended release tablets are suitable for diseases that require constant drug concentrations in the body. Moreover, the choice between capsule and tablet is based on the patient’s preference and the formulation of the drug.
Patients with swallowing problems may prefer orally disintegrating tablets or sublingual tablets. On the other hand, those requiring quick disintegration may opt for effervescent tablets. Knowledge of the characteristics of various types of tablets assists the healthcare providers to make appropriate recommendations to their clients.
Conclusion
In the world of pharmacy, the types of tablets available are very versatile in the delivery of drugs in the market. While there are tablets that give fast relief to the patient, there are also those that are slow-release tablets that are intended to give a long-term therapeutic effect. Knowledge of these differences, and the capsule vs tablet controversy, will assist both the healthcare professionals and patients in making the right decision in terms of medication. Appropriate storage and knowledge of the process of manufacturing these tablets make these pharmaceutical tablets effective for their shelf life and thus improving the health of the patients.
Sedpharma acknowledges the beneficial contribution of quality tablets manufacture in the pharmaceutical sector. The right equipment is important regardless whether you are manufacturing plain tablets, extended release tablet dosage forms, or special purpose enteric coated tablets. All our high-performance cadre tablet compression machines are built to enhance optimum precision, uniformity, and productivity in every output cycle. Depend on Sedpharma to supply you with the advanced technology you require to address your production needs and improve patient results.
