Tablet coatings are not just for appearance—they play crucial roles in protecting medication, improving effectiveness, and enhancing ease of use. Two of the most common coatings are enteric-coated and film-coated, each with distinct purposes and effects on drug release. Let’s dive into what sets them apart.
Key Differences Between Enteric-Coated and Film-Coated Tablets
What Are Enteric-Coated Tablets?
Enteric-coated tablets have a special coating that resists stomach acid, allowing the tablet to pass through the stomach and dissolve in the small intestine instead. This delayed-release mechanism helps in two main ways:
1. Protecting the Stomach: Some medications can cause stomach irritation. Enteric coatings prevent them from dissolving in the stomach, lowering the risk of side effects such as ulcers. Pain relievers like aspirin are often enteric-coated for this reason.
2. Keeping Medications Effective: Certain drugs, like some antibiotics or enzymes, can degrade or lose potency in the acidic environment of the stomach. An enteric coating ensures the medication stays intact until it reaches the small intestine, allowing for optimal absorption and effectiveness.
How It Works:
The enteric coating is made from materials that only dissolve in an alkaline environment, like that of the small intestine. This allows the tablet to bypass the acidic stomach, protecting both the drug and the stomach lining.
What Are Film-Coated Tablets?
Film-coated tablets have a thin, smooth coating applied mainly to enhance taste, ease of swallowing, or stability. This coating dissolves in the stomach and doesn’t delay the drug release, making it suitable for medications that don’t need special protection from stomach acid.
1. Improving Taste and Ease of Use: Film coatings can mask bitter flavors, making the tablet more palatable and easier to swallow.Protecting the Medication: The film coating acts as a barrier to moisture and light, which helps preserve the medication’s effectiveness over time.
2. How It Works:
Unlike enteric coatings, film coatings dissolve in the stomach’s acidic environment, allowing the medication to be absorbed immediately or at a controlled rate, depending on the formulation.
How to Choose Between Enteric-Coated and Film-Coated Tablets
The right choice often depends on the medication’s purpose and the patient’s needs:
· Enteric-coated tablets are ideal for medications that might irritate the stomach or lose potency in stomach acid. They are commonly used for NSAIDs and some acid-sensitive drugs.
· Film-coated tablets are best for medications that don’t need delayed release but benefit from improved swallowability and taste. They are frequently used for common pain relievers, vitamins, and antibiotics.
Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions about how to take your medication, as improper handling (such as crushing enteric-coated tablets) can impact its effectiveness.