Capsules for medicines – use, types and production

Medicine capsules are one of the most popular solutions for administering medicinal substances — and for good reason. They are a convenient form of portioning preparations and a way to very accurately dose active substances.

How do the different types of medicine capsules differ, what are their uses, how are they produced, and are they safe?

Key takeaways

• The best medicinal products are characterized by the high quality of each ingredient — including the capsules.
• The type of preparation shell should be matched to the properties of the active substances — Eubioco offers many possibilities in this regard.
• Thoughtful drug development and proper selection of capsules guarantee appropriate release and absorption of all ingredients.
• The quality of the empty medicine capsules used in the production of a specific medicinal preparation directly affects the effectiveness of the therapy.
• In capsule production, it is necessary to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Control of each stage ensures the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

What are they and what are their uses?

Capsules are characterized by a simple structure and a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Their versatility makes them an ideal carrier for many active substances — from vitamins to special-purpose drugs.

Definition and structure

Empty medicine capsules are an essential “tool” used in the production of pharmaceuticals. They are a dosage form that enables strictly controlled administration of medicinal substances. They are made of a shell (usually gelatin or vegetable) and contents, which can be in the form of powder, granulate, liquid, suspension, or a smaller capsule.
The structure and composition of medicine capsules allow for controlled release of active substances — not only at a specific time but also at the appropriate location in the digestive system (stomach or small intestine).

Application in the pharmaceutical industry

Gel capsules for medicines are widely used in pharmacy and the production of dietary supplements. They are suitable for substances sensitive to moisture or light.

In the pharmaceutical industry, capsules are used for:

• administering controlled-release drugs,
• protecting active substances from degradation,
• easy dosing of multi-ingredient preparations,
• increasing usage comfort (the shell masks unpleasant taste, facilitates swallowing).

Advantages of medicine capsules

What aspects encourage the use of medicine capsules in the production process?

1. Precise dosing of active substances.
2. Optimal protection of contents against external factors.
3. Control of the rate of release of active substances.
4. Higher bioavailability compared to some tablets or liquid forms.
5. Comfort of intake, thanks to the smooth surface and neutral taste.

Types of capsules

Forms of medicine capsules differ in shell material, method of releasing active substances, and intended use — the selection of the appropriate type for a specific medicinal preparation depends on pharmaceutical requirements, characteristics of active substances, and client preferences.

Hard capsules (gelatin)

Hard capsules are the most popular type of capsule. They consist of two parts — a cylindrical body and a cap. Their interior contains loose substances (e.g., powders or granules). The use of hard capsules is applied in the production of drugs or dietary supplements that are taken orally.

Soft capsules (flexible)

Soft capsules are made of a one-piece, flexible shell. The capsule’s interior contains liquid or oily substances. They are used for portioning ingredients sensitive to light, moisture, oxygen, or temperature and fat-soluble vitamin preparations.

A formula that has a shell resistant to stomach acids is categorized as enteric hard capsules — what does that mean? After taking the drug, the shell coatings dissolve only in the small intestine, thus enabling the release of active substances at the target site of action.
Enteric capsules are used in drugs that lose effectiveness in an acidic environment (low pH).

Type of hard capsules

This is a type of medicine capsule that has been developed to gradually release active substances. This makes recommendations for taking a medicinal preparation less complicated and takes into account less frequent intake of preparations. They are used in the therapy of chronic diseases.

Vegetarian/vegan capsules

Vegetarian and vegan shells are made of cellulose or starch. They are used as an alternative to gel capsules for medicines, which are made of gelatin. They are used in preparations intended exclusively for people eliminating animal products, as well as in drugs intended for larger populations.

The process of encapsulation of drugs

The process of enclosing active substances in empty medicine capsules is called encapsulation.

It takes place in the following stages:

1. Preparation of raw materials
2. Filling capsules
3. Quality control
4. Packaging

Eubioco uses advanced technologies that guarantee accuracy and quality verification at every stage of operation.

Are all medicine capsules safe?

The safety of capsules depends on the quality of raw materials and the production process. At Eubioco, all raw materials undergo detailed verification. Each batch undergoes microbiological and physicochemical control.
Production plants must meet the requirements of GMP and HACCP systems — our standards ensure complete safety for consumers.

Capsule, tablet, liquid — what’s better?

Each dosage form has its advantages. Capsules are distinguished by:

• better protection of active substances,
• release control,
• ease of dosing.

Capsule vs. tablet? Compared to tablets, capsules may be better suited for more sensitive substances that require additional protection. Liquid forms are absorbed faster but are less durable.

Does Eubioco specialize in the contract production of medicines in capsules?

Yes — Eubioco specializes in the development of ready-made medicines in capsule form.

We guarantee:

• full compliance with GMP,
• comprehensive research and development support,
• accuracy and safety of the encapsulation process,
• quality control at every stage.

Thanks to advanced infrastructure, we ensure the production of medicine capsules and specific active substances always in accordance with the highest standards.
Learn more about cooperation in contract production: https://eubioco.eu/kontakt/

Summary

Medicine capsules are one of the most effective forms of administering medicinal products. Their quality and strictly controlled production process have a direct impact on the absorption of active substances.

As a contract manufacturer, we provide comprehensive support. We offer technologies compliant with international standards and guarantee the effectiveness and safety of the final product.

FAQ

Can the medicine from a capsule be poured out?

• The person taking the preparation can always do it, but it will not always be indifferent to the effectiveness of the medicine. Pouring out the contents may affect the effectiveness or safety of the therapy, especially in the case of controlled-release capsules.

What works faster — tablet or capsule?

It cannot be unequivocally stated whether a tablet or capsule works faster, because the speed of drug action depends on many factors:

1. Type of formulation — both tablets and capsules can have different forms of active substance release
2. Tablets can be fast-disintegrating (e.g., Q-Tab), immediate-release, or sustained-release (SR)
3. Capsules also come in various variants — hard, soft, modified-release
4. Properties of the active substance — its solubility, particle size, and other physicochemical parameters
5. Site of drug absorption — some substances are better absorbed in the stomach, others in the intestines
6. Additional excipients used in the formulation

Therefore, the speed of action depends primarily on the specific preparation and its therapeutic purpose, not on whether it is a tablet or a capsule. Manufacturers choose the most appropriate form of medicine, taking into account all these factors.

What are medicine capsules made of?

• Most often from animal gelatin or vegetable cellulose. Plasticizers are also added, which give the shell elasticity.

Are capsules healthy?

• Yes, the capsules used at Eubioco are safe.

Bibliography

1. Act of September 6, 2001. Pharmaceutical Law. (Journal of Laws 2001 No. 126 item 1381). Retrieved from: https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=wdu20011261381
2. Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. (2017). Guide to Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices. Warsaw. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.pl/attachment/7bf033a6-20df-4d28-b535-726a5cd8cf75
3. Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. (2017). Guidelines for Good Hygiene and Manufacturing Practices. Warsaw. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.pl/attachment/41fdaa0f-37b9-4f93-90e9-227668777ddf
4. Sołtys, I., & Żesławska, E. (2013). Tablets, pills, capsules… Antidiabetic drugs… The influence of selected chemical compounds on living organisms, 76.
5. Stańczak, A., Klucha, I., & Welk-Piela, B. (2018). The effect of storage conditions on the stability of gelatin masses intended for the production of soft capsules. Farm Pol, 74(8), 453-459.
6. Pietkiewicz, P., Janicki, S., & Szmitowska, M. (2001). Capsules as a modern drug form. Ter. Leki, 29, 26-30.
7. Pluta, R., Jankowski, A., & Han, S. (2009). Soft capsule production technology. Farm. Przegl. Nauk, 1, 28-31.