Why Are Drugs Placed in Capsules?

Medications are placed in capsules to mask their unpleasant odor, improve their stability, and control their release rate.

(1) Covering up the unpleasant odor of drugs with capsules can make them clean, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to swallow, resulting in better patient compliance.

(2) To improve drug stability, drugs are packaged in capsule shells, avoiding the influence of moisture, air, and light. For drugs that are sensitive to light and unstable in damp heat, their stability is improved.

(3) To increase the absorption of drugs, drugs can be directly filled into capsules in powder or granular form, which can quickly disperse, dissolve and absorb in the gastrointestinal tract. Its bioavailability is higher than that of pill, tablet and other dosage forms.

(4) It can compensate for the shortcomings of other solid dosage forms. Drugs with high oil content or liquid drugs that are difficult to make into pills, tablets, etc. can be made into capsules.

(5) The preparation of sustained-release and targeted release capsules can delay the release of drugs, achieving a sustained and long-lasting effect.

There are three points to note when taking capsules:

(1) Do not take medication with hot water: Hot water can quickly dissolve the capsule, and the capsule shell can easily stick to the throat or esophagus. In addition, hot water may also disrupt the resistance of enteric coated capsules to gastric juice, making it difficult for drugs to pass through the stomach and reach the intestines smoothly. Therefore, try to take capsules with cold water as much as possible.

(2) Drink enough water: Drinking less water may cause the capsule to stick to the esophageal wall. Drinking plenty of water ensures that medication reaches the stomach smoothly and can also reduce the irritation of certain medications on the esophagus.

(3) Cannot be taken while sitting or lying down: Some capsule medications, such as alendronate sodium, are highly corrosive and can cause serious burns to the esophageal mucosa if accidentally adhered to during use. It is recommended to take while standing, and not to lie down immediately after eating.