- Tuesday, May 9, 2023
In the pharmaceutical industry, coating tablets or capsules with sugar or film is a process used to add a protective layer. The film coating process involves coating the medication's surface with a thin layer of polymer.
In contrast, sugar coating involves coating the tablet with a mixture of sugar and other chemicals to provide a smooth, glossy finish. The appearance, taste, and stability of medications can be improved using film coating and sugar coating, say, medical professionals, which will increase patient compliance and drug effectiveness.
The craft of film and sugar coating is precious in the pharmaceutical industry. Medicines are protected by coating in a similar way that a chef adds icing to a cake.
Let us begin with the film coating. Imagine a pill with a glossy, bright wrap that looks like a small candy. The process of coating a tablet or capsule with a thin layer of a polymer or a mixture of polymers is known as film coating. The film coat acts as a protective layer, covering the medication from air, light, and moisture that could cause it to degrade, lose effectiveness, or take on an unpleasant taste or odor.
Film coating can make the medication simpler to ingest, particularly for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Additionally, because they are less prone to degrade over time, film-coated tablets or capsules can have a longer shelf life.
Let's now get into sugar coating. A layer of sugar, coloring compounds, and polishing agents are applied to a tablet as part of the traditional process of sugar coating. Similar to film coating, the sugar coat acts as a barrier, protecting the medication from air, light, and moisture.
However, sugar coating has another advantage—it can make the drug more aesthetically pleasing. Patients, especially kids who might be reluctant to take medication, may find sugarcoated tablets more appealing due to their bright, shiny appearance.
When the pill is placed in the mouth, the sugar coat may also produce a tactile feeling that makes it simpler to swallow.
The process of "film coating," which involves covering a tablet with a thin layer of polymer, can increase the tablet's longevity, make it simpler to swallow, and improve taste muffling. Film coating can, however, be more expensive, time-consuming, and equipment-intensive than other coating techniques.
On the other hand, sugarcoating entails covering the tablet's surface with a thin layer of sugar and other components. This can enhance the tablet's flavor and look, but it might also add more calories and be less durable than film coating.
To protect the drug and enhance its look, smell, and stability, a thin layer of polymer or other materials may be applied to a solid dosage form, such as tablets, capsules, or granules.
Four phases are commonly involved in the film coating process:
Depending on the unique needs of the medicine and the intended coating properties, different materials can be utilized in film coating. Typically, film-forming polymers including ethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are used.
To change the coating's characteristics and appearance, additional elements like plasticizers, pigments, and opacifiers may be added to the coating solution.
The following are the benefits of film coating:
Among the drawbacks of film coating are:
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Film Coating Machine: The Ultimate Buying Guide
There are multiple processes in the sugar coating process, including:
Sugar, water, and occasionally additional components including flavorings, colors, and waxes are the substances used in sugar coating. Depending on the product being coated and the intended result, the exact recipe may change.
The following are the advantages of sugar coating:
The downsides of sugar coating are as follows:
Pharmaceutical tablets are typically coated using one of two techniques: film coating or sugar coating. The main variations between the two are as follows:
Which approach is more effective for various sorts of medications relies on the characteristics of the drug and the coating's intended results.
For instance, film coating can be a better option if the medicine is moisture sensitive. If the medication has a bad taste or smell, sugar-coating might be recommended.
Since it takes less time and manpower to produce, film coating is typically less expensive than sugar coating.
However, the cost discrepancy can change based on the particular tools and materials utilized.
In the end, the manufacturer's preferences and the particular requirements of the drug will determine whether film coating or sugar coating should be used.
The pharmaceutical industry should decide whether to utilize film coating or sugar coating after considering the unique requirements of each drug and its intended consumer.
In contrast to a drug that needs to be easily ingested or has an unpleasant taste, a medication that is intended for long-term use and needs to remain stable over an extended length of time may benefit more from film coating.
Overall, to enhance medicine effectiveness, compliance, and patient outcomes, the pharmaceutical sector should keep experimenting with innovative coating methods and technologies.
Companies should work to create coating procedures that minimize any negative effects on drug stability, cost, and production time while also keeping in mind potential coating technique downsides.
Here’s a brief introduction to iPharmachine’s tablet coating machines.
The BYC-1000 Tablet Coating Machine by iPharMachine is a modern piece of machinery used to coat the exterior surface of tablet cores with a layer of sugar or film. It combines strong current, weak current, hydraulic pressure, and pneumatics, and has a production capacity of 50-75 kg per time.
The BYC-1250 Tablet Coating Machine is another option from iPharMachine, with a larger coating pot diameter of 1250 mm and a production capacity of 80-150 kg per batch.
Both machines work by rotating the coating pot and using a sprayer to apply coating liquid to the tablet cores while heated air removes any remaining water from the tablet's surface.
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Tablets and capsules used in the pharmaceutical sector include a coating of film or sugar to act as a protective layer. A thin layer of polymer is used to coat the surface of the medication in the film-coating process, whereas a mixture of sugar and other chemicals is used to coat the tablet in the sugar-coating process.
While sugar coating can make the drug more aesthetically pleasant and more enticing to patients who have trouble swallowing pills, film coating can make the drug easier to swallow and extend its shelf life.
The benefits of sugar coating can include improved appearance, flavor, and protection, whereas the benefits of film coating include drug protection, greater patient acceptability, and simple identification.
But compared to other coating methods, film coating can be more expensive, time-consuming, and resource-intensive, while sugar-coating might increase caloric intake while being less resilient.
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