Choosing the right solid oral dosage form is no longer just functional, it’s strategic. While tablets have long dominated high-volume manufacturing, capsules are quickly becoming the preferred format for new product launches. In the U.S., capsules now surpass tablets in availability among supplements and accounted for over 40% of new drug approvals in 2023, up from 31% in 2019.
This shift is driven by a combination of consumer preference, formulation flexibility, and the need for cleaner, faster, and more adaptable delivery systems. Capsules are no longer an alternative, they are, in many cases, the superior choice.
Capsules are steadily overtaking tablets in both dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. In supplements, capsules lead particularly in herbal and probiotic categories, with over 74% of herbal supplement users in the U.S. preferring them. In pharma, recent FDA data shows capsules made up 42% of 2023 drug approvals, an 11-point increase since 2019. This is due to their patient-friendly profiles, better absorption rates (up to 25% faster than tablets), and formulation versatility.
The U.S. remains the world’s largest market for empty capsules, with rising demand for clean-label, customizable, and technically advanced formats.
Capsules offer multiple formulation and operational advantages:
From high-speed machine compatibility to targeted delivery technologies, CapsCanada offers solutions tailored to evolving market needs. Our product range includes:
All products are manufactured in North America under cGMP standards, with dedicated technical support and global logistics infrastructure.
As consumer demands evolve and formulations become more complex, capsules offer the adaptability, performance, and regulatory alignment required to succeed. For brands launching their next innovation, capsules are no longer a backup, they’re the strategic path forward.
Ready to advance your formulation strategy? Explore our capsule solutions or speak with our team to find the best fit for your application.