Oral delivery is frequently regarded as the preferable route of administration for pharmaceuticals. Many oral drugs are specifically formulated to allow disintegration only in certain sections of the GI tract to shield the drug from destruction by stomach acid (e.g., proton pump inhibitors), to protect the active from destruction by stomach enzymes (e.g., peptides, proteins), or the stomach from an irritant drug (e.g., enteric-coated aspirin).
Enteric capsules, also known as extended-release capsules are specially designed to withstand the acidic environment of the human stomach during the digestive process until they reach the next stage of digestion.
Enteric capsules are coated with a substance that prevents or reduces disintegration in the stomach, allowing it to dissolve in the small intestine. This formulation protects the stomach from potentially irritating drugs and protects the medicine from a partial breakdown in the stomach's acidic environment.
Enteric formulations were first developed to deal with drugs that had a bad taste or caused gastrointestinal pain. Patients could not be treated if they were unable to take a medicine without vomiting due to its unpleasant aftertaste. Fats, waxes, and paraffin were used in early attempts to discover a solution to this problem..
Capsule Banding
Capsule banding is the process of filling capsules with liquids, powders, or other items and then sealing them. It is done to avoid liquid product leaks, reduce oxidation of the capsule's contents, and eliminate odor problems associated with both solid and liquid products by sealing the connection between the capsule cap and body. It's nearly impossible to open and re-seal the capsule once it's been banded without leaving tampering evidence.
Why Enteric Capsules Work
The digestive tract distinct acidic and alkaline pH properties are taken into account to manufacture enteric capsules. The overall pH of the human body is roughly 7, and different areas of the body have distinct internal pH levels. The pH of the human stomach ranges from 1.5 to 3.5. This high acidity level allows your stomach to digest the meals you ingest correctly.
After passing through the stomach, the acidity drops to almost neutral in the duodenum, before the pH rises to a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4 in the small intestine.
Enteric Capsule Applications
A capsule that goes through the stomach without dissolving has a variety of uses, although it is most commonly utilized when:
- You need to protect the stomach lining from potentially harmful or irritating substances. Stomach irritation can cause nausea, vomiting, and injury.
- To successfully supply the intended contents if the substance contained within the capsule must reach a lower region of the digestive tract before disintegrating.
- It will take a little longer to disintegrate. While most capsules dissolve in 15 minutes or less, Enteric Capsules take longer to break down until they reach the right pH level. The contents and fullness of the stomach have a significant impact on the rate of digestion. Because it might take up to 7 hours for food to reach the small intestine, this factor is critical for optimal administration.
Some drugs used to treat intestinal diseases, for example, must reach the intestines before the capsule breaks; this ensures that the medication maintains its integrity and potency until it reaches the treatment site.
Enteric Coated Capsules and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain management, musculoskeletal diseases, and arthritis, while beneficial, have been limited because of a link between this class of medication and ulcers and other upper GI tract injuries. Complications like bleeding and perforation are expected, according to the organization, along with gastrointestinal issues.
Learn About AR Caps:
Gastric Acid Resistant Hard Capsules (AR-Caps®) restrict gastric medication release and provide an inexpensive, high-quality option for many intestinal delivery applications. They are made with unique hypromellose (HPMC) formulation and a particular polymer, hypromellose phthalate (HPMCP), so with AR-Caps®, there is no need for expensive and time-consuming enteric coating processes.
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AR-Caps® administer the medicine by dissolving in the duodenum. The capsules are stable up to stomach pH values, but they disintegrate after entering the small intestine and reaching higher pH levels. They are acid-resistant by origin and do not require the addition of chemicals, solvents, or other coatings to delay the release of the medicinal product as it passes through the digestive tract.
Ingredients of Superior Quality Make top-notch banding kits
CapsCanada banding kits include all of the materials you'll need to set up your own capsule banding operation. CapsCanada banding kits are available in both gelatin and vegetarian HPMC forms, and may be customized to match any Pantone hue, enhancing product differentiation and brand exposure.
CapsCanada's product development experts will determine the best banding solution for your product and collaborate with you to guarantee that your fill material is secure and stable within its capsule. If a standard banding formula does not match your fill material's requirements, CapsCanada's product development team will collaborate with you to produce a custom banding solution capable of securely encasing the troublesome fill material.
