Capsule (pharmacy)

In the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, encapsulation refers to a range of dosage forms—techniques used to enclose medicines—in a relatively stable shell known as a capsule, allowing them to, for example, be taken orally or be used as suppositories.

The two main types of capsules are: Both of these classes of capsules are made from aqueous solutions of gelling agents, such as animal protein (mainly gelatin) or plant polysaccharides or their derivatives (such as carrageenans and modified forms of starch and cellulose).

This is because the fill can contain liquid ingredients that help increase the solubility or permeability of the drug across the membranes in the body.

In 1949, the Lederle Laboratories division of the American Cyanamid Company developed the "Accogel" process, allowing powders to be accurately filled into soft gelatin capsules.

[2] The capsules are made in two parts by dipping metal pins in the gelling agent solution.

[3] The powder or spheroids inside the capsule contains the active ingredients and any excipients, such as binders, disintegrants, fillers, glidant, and preservatives.

[6] Softgels are filled at the same time as they are produced and sealed on the rotary die of a fully automatic machine.