More and more drugs and supplements are prescribed in capsules. They have many advantages over tablets, which have been the most commonly used dosage to date. Empty capsules now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, and each capsule usually contains a dose of the active ingredient. As with tablets, other encapsulating materials may be included. These include inert diluents, lubricants and greases, humectants and disintegrants. Capsules capsules may also contain antimicrobial preservatives, fillers, flavoring agents, sweeteners, and pigments. It can be coated with a thin film of api release conditioning material. The brand name and dosing information may be printed on the outside of the capsule. There are two main types of capsules used in medicine and food supplements: hard capsules and soft capsules. Conventional capsules are made from gelatin, which is a widely available product of animal origin. Hpmc (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) and pullulan have recently been shown to be successful alternatives to drugs and nutrients.
