Alexei Volkov
The coatings on pills, also known as capsules, serve a variety of purposes. Firstly, they can mask the bitter taste of the medication and provide a hard cover to prevent crumbling or dissolving in the mouth. Secondly, coatings can increase the shelf life of the product and enable targeted release of the drug in specific areas of the digestive tract, such as the intestinal tract or colon. These coatings, known as enteric coatings, act as a barrier to protect the drug from the harsh stomach environment, which could otherwise damage or destroy it. While some believe that pills are coated in plastic, this is not entirely accurate. The majority of capsules are manufactured from gelatin, a translucent, colourless, and flavourless animal-derived ingredient, although plant-based alternatives like HPMC and Pullulan are also used.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic coatings can prevent pills from dissolving in the stomach
Plastic coatings on pills, also known as enteric coatings, serve a critical purpose in drug delivery technology. They are designed to prevent pills from dissolving in the stomach, allowing them to reach the intestinal tract intact. This is particularly important for medications that contain ingredients sensitive to gastric acids. Without this protective coating, these drugs would rapidly disintegrate in the acidic environment of the stomach, reducing or eliminating their intended therapeutic effect.
Enteric coatings act as a barrier, shielding the drug from the harsh conditions of the stomach. This technology has been in use for many years, with advancements made over time to improve its effectiveness. The coating ensures that the active ingredients in the medication are released at the appropriate time during digestion, allowing for a delayed or targeted release.
One example of a medication that utilizes an enteric coating is Pentasa® (mesalamine). This drug is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and contains granules coated with one, two, or three layers of ethylcellulose. The coating ensures that the drug remains intact as it passes through the stomach, releasing the medication at specific locations in the small intestine or colon.
Another example is Asacol® (mesalamine), a pH-dependent drug used for ulcerative colitis treatment. Its enteric coating protects it throughout the gastrointestinal tract until it reaches the terminal ileum, where it can exert its therapeutic action in the colon. This precise release is achieved due to the coating's ability to respond to specific pH levels.
While plastic coatings are beneficial in preventing pills from dissolving in the stomach, it is important to distinguish between these coatings and the actual capsule material. The majority of capsules are made from gelatin, a translucent, colourless, and flavourless animal-derived product. Vegetarian capsules, on the other hand, are derived from plants, specifically cellulose from pine trees, and do not contain gelatin.
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Plastic coatings can cause hormonal imbalances
Plastic coatings on pills, also known as enteric coatings, have been used in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. These coatings are designed to protect the drug from gastric acids in the stomach, ensuring that the active ingredients remain intact until they reach the intestinal tract. While these plastic coatings have their intended benefits, there are concerns about their potential impact on hormonal imbalances.
Plastic coatings on pills may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can interfere with the body's natural hormones. One such EDC is bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been linked to various health issues. BPA can act as a xenoestrogen, mimicking the effects of oestrogen in the body. This can lead to an excess of oestrogen, resulting in symptoms such as heavier and more painful periods, PMS, mood swings, anger, irritability, painful breasts, bloating, and headaches. Exposure to BPA during pregnancy has also been associated with developmental issues in children, including reduced IQ.
Phthalates are another type of EDC commonly found in plastic coatings. These chemicals have been linked to fertility problems. Research has shown that exposure to phthalates during pregnancy can impact the development of male offspring, leading to lower levels of male sex hormones and reduced sperm count later in life. Phthalates have also been associated with disruptions in insulin function and an increased likelihood of preterm birth.
The pervasive use of plastic in our daily lives means that we are constantly exposed to these EDCs. They can leach out of plastic bottles, food containers, and even pill coatings, entering our bodies through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. While the science is still evolving, a growing body of evidence suggests that even very low doses of these chemicals can have significant health impacts.
To reduce the potential risks associated with plastic coatings, some alternatives are available. Vegetarian capsules, for example, are made from cellulose derived from pine instead of animal parts, offering a safer option for oral medications. Glass jars and storage containers can also be used instead of plastic to minimise exposure to EDCs in food packaging. While the convenience and functionality of plastic coatings cannot be denied, it is essential to consider the potential health implications, especially regarding hormonal imbalances and long-term adverse health effects.
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Plastic coatings can increase a product's shelf life
Plastic coatings on pills, also known as enteric coatings, serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they can prevent the drug's ingredients from activating until they have safely passed through the stomach, allowing them to reach the intestinal tract intact. This is particularly important for drugs that are vulnerable to gastric juices or sensitive to specific temperatures and moisture levels. By protecting the medicine from the harsh stomach environment, enteric coatings ensure that the drug remains stable and reaches its intended target in the body without being degraded or destroyed.
Secondly, plastic coatings can increase a product's shelf life. Coatings made from polymers, plasticizers, pigments, and other substances create a barrier that prevents oxygen, moisture, and light from degrading the drug, thus extending its longevity. This is especially beneficial for drugs that are unstable in their unaltered state, as the coating provides protection and delays the release of the active ingredients until they reach the desired location in the body.
Additionally, plastic coatings can enhance patient compliance by masking the bitter taste of certain medications. This makes it easier for patients to adhere to their prescribed treatment regimens, as they are less likely to skip doses due to unpleasant flavours. Furthermore, coatings can provide a hard cover for crumbly or brittle compounds, ensuring that the medicine does not dissolve prematurely in the mouth or during storage.
While plastic coatings offer these advantages, it is important to address safety concerns. Some plastic ingredients in capsules, known as phthalates, have been associated with potential health risks. Research has identified phthalates in prescription drugs and dietary supplements, raising concerns about their impact on hormone balance. As a result, alternative coatings derived from plants, such as HPMC (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) and Pullulan, are being explored to create vegetarian capsules that do not contain animal-derived gelatin.
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Plastic coatings can mask the bitter taste of medicine
Plastic coatings on pills, also known as enteric coatings, serve multiple purposes. One of their critical functions is masking the bitter taste of medicine, making it more palatable for patients. This coating ensures that the medicine does not dissolve in the mouth, preventing an unpleasant sensory experience.
The enteric coating is typically made from polymers, which act as a protective barrier. This coating prevents the medicine from being affected by gastric acids in the stomach, ensuring it stays intact until it reaches the intestinal tract. This technology is essential for specific drugs that need to reach the intestines before delivering their active ingredients.
The pharmaceutical industry has long recognised the value of enteric coatings, which have been in use for many years. While the technology has evolved, the core principle remains the same. Enteric coatings are particularly useful for medications that are sensitive to moisture, vulnerable to gastric juices, or prone to degradation at different temperatures.
In addition to masking bitter tastes, enteric coatings can also enhance brand identity by providing colour to the pills. They improve shelf life, ensure the medicine's integrity, and facilitate immediate, delayed, or sustained release of the drug. The coatings are designed to withstand the harsh stomach environment, protecting the medicine until it reaches the optimal location for absorption.
While plastic coatings have been commonly used, concerns have been raised about the presence of phthalates, which can act like estrogens and disrupt hormones. As a result, alternative raw materials like HPMC (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or Hypromellose) and Pullulan, derived from plants, are being used to create vegetarian capsules. These plant-based coatings offer a safer and more flexible option while still providing the necessary protection and functionality.
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Plastic coatings can make pills more durable
Plastic coatings on pills, also known as enteric coatings, serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they can make pills more durable by acting as a protective barrier that prevents the pill from being damaged or destroyed by gastric acids in the stomach. This is especially important for drugs that need to reach the intestinal tract intact before releasing their active ingredients. The coating ensures that the pill remains intact during its journey through the digestive system, allowing for precise delivery of the medication to the intended site of action.
Secondly, plastic coatings can enhance the stability of certain drugs. Some medications are unstable in their unaltered state and require protection from moisture, temperature changes, and gastric juices. The plastic coating acts as a shield, preserving the integrity of the drug until it reaches the desired location in the body.
Additionally, plastic coatings can extend the shelf life of medications by preventing them from deteriorating over time. They also provide a hard cover for crumbly or brittle compounds, ensuring that the medicine does not dissolve prematurely in the mouth. Moreover, plastic coatings can mask the bitter taste of certain drugs, improving their palatability.
While plastic coatings offer these advantages, there are concerns about the potential health risks associated with certain plastic compounds. For example, phthalates, which are commonly used in plastic coatings, have been linked to endocrine disruption and potential toxicity. As a result, ongoing research is aimed at evaluating the safety of these compounds in medications.
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Frequently asked questions
Pills are not covered in plastic, but in a polymer applied to oral medication. This coating serves as a barrier to prevent the gastric acids in the stomach from dissolving or degrading drugs after you swallow them.
The coating is made from gelatin, a common ingredient in medicines and food products, derived from boiling the skin and bones of cows. Other ingredients include HPMC (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or Hypromellose) and Pullulan, which are derived from plants.
The coating of pills serves many purposes, including providing colour to establish brand identity, masking bitter taste, providing a hard cover for crumbly or brittle compounds, and increasing product shelf life.
Yes, the plastic ingredients found in many capsules, called phthalates, have been a cause for concern. Research has found that some compounds act like estrogens and can disrupt hormones.
