What is Tablet Medicine?
A solid pharmaceutical medicinal form developed to transfer therapeutic substances via the oral route is called a tablet. It is a solid dosage form that comes in small units and is packaged in strips. The formulation of a tablet medicine is developed based on the specific therapeutic substances or medicaments along with some excipients to give a wholesome shape.
The powdered form is then compressed in presses to form a tablet with a significant shape. The tablets have smooth and round shapes so that a patient can easily engulf them with water. Some tablets are designed to deliver the dosage in the oral cavity only. Some are designed as sublingual dosage mediums. The molding process of tablets is done in modern presses that can produce many tablets in a short span of time. Previously, hand-pressing machines were used to mold tablets manually.
Formulation Components and Types of a Tablet Medicine
There are different types of dosage forms developed in the pharmaceutical industry. One such oral dosage form is a tablet. There are different types of tablet medicine developed for aiming to cure a symptom, or an ailment causing the symptoms. In this article, we will discuss what tablets are, their features, and how they are manufactured.
Different Constituents of Tablets
As mentioned earlier, tablets are made of different powdered substances apart from the therapeutic compound(s). Let us check how the powder formulation is prepared before sending it to the molding units.
1. Fillers or Diluents
The inactive substances that do not have any medicinal effect on the consumer are called diluents. These substances are added to a formulation in order to give a tablet the right volume. As the dosage forms of tablets range in micrograms or milligrams, it is hard to make such oral dosage forms to administer the drugs. This is why diluents such as cellactose, starch, magnesium stearate, cellulose derivatives, etc are used.
2. Binders
A powdered formulation cannot be transformed into a tablet shape until a binder is used. This component helps the substances to hold together to form a compact shape. A tablet gets is hardened shape from binders used in the formulation. It helps in packaging and transporting these medicines. Examples of binders are gelatin, cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, mannitol, etc.
3.Disintegrants
It is a neutral chemical agent used in tablet formulations to help the constituents to disintegrate to release the therapeutic substances in the system. When disintegrants come in contact with water or moisture, a tablet starts to break down and loses its physical form. These compounds help tablet formulations to release the therapeutic components into the specific locations of the gastrointestinal system. Examples of disintegrants are croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate, and crospovidone.
4. Coloring Agents
Coloring agents are added to help patients distinguish between similar-looking tablets and to help them take the right medicine on time. The best examples are Erythrosine, Tartrazine, Patent Blue V, and Sunset Yellow.
5. Preservatives
Preservatives are sometimes used to protect the active therapeutic ingredients from disintegration due to atmospheric conditions and biotic intervention.
Apart from these non-therapeutic substances, you will find a tablet medicine name list added to the formulation. Sometimes, only one medicinal compound is present along with these constituents. Some medicinal tablet formulations have multiple medicinal compounds aiming to cure a disease in a better way along with handling the symptoms. Every packaging displays the specific tablet medicine name list as per the industry protocols
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Different Types of Tablets
1. Pills
Pills are defined as small, solid, and round oral dosage forms or tablets. It is found packaged in the form of strips or bottled for delivery. It is a colloquial term used to identify anything solid and round in shape and consumed to cure something.
The earliest examples of pills date back to 140 BC where Romans used zinc carbonates, smithsonite, and hydrozincite in a formulation to cure sore eyes. These pills were not meant for oral consumption and were used on the eyes directly.
2. Caplets
Smooth round or oval-shaped tablets are called caplets. The shape can imitate those of capsules and thus the name is hybridized. There are many caplet formulations that have an indentation in the middle to help the consumers split them into halves when told.
3. Orally Disintegrating Tablets
This type of tablet medicine PNG is developed in such a way that the dosage forms will disintegrate in the mouth of a patient. I can be oral or sublingual in nature. Sublingual tablets are kept under the tongue for quick disintegration and absorption.
4. Film-coated Tablets
These tablet formulations have specific coats on them that enable them to bypass the acidic environment of the stomach and disperse in the alkaline environment of the small intestines. The coating protects these tablets from acidic chyme of the stomach. It is a unique way to release the medication at a targeted location. Many signature tablet medicine brands utilize this formulation technique to protect the medicines from the acidic pH of the stomach.
This is all you need to know about this solid oral dosage form used to administer medicines to patients. The different types of substances used in the medicinal formula of the signature tablet medicine have their own functions to play. One of the most common tablet formulations used these days is cherry tablet medicine. It is a supplement formula that adds vitamins and minerals to the diet of patients. Follow the description of the type of tablets and learn their uses.
FAQs on Tablet Medicines
1. What is a medicinal tablet and what is its primary function?
A medicinal tablet is a solid pharmaceutical dosage form containing a specific amount of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) mixed with inactive ingredients known as excipients. Its primary function is to deliver a precise, stable, and convenient dose of medication to a patient, typically through oral administration, for treating, curing, or preventing a disease.
2. Who is credited with inventing the modern medicinal tablet?
The modern medicinal tablet was invented by William Brockedon, a British inventor, in 1843. He patented a machine capable of compressing powders into a solid, easily swallowable form, which revolutionised the way medicines were administered and manufactured.
3. What essential information is typically found on the packaging of tablet medicines?
The packaging of tablet medicines must display specific information for safety and regulatory compliance. This includes:
- The brand and generic name of the drug.
- The dosage strength (e.g., 500 mg).
- The name of the manufacturer.
- A full list of active and inactive ingredients.
- The manufacturing date and, most importantly, the expiry date.
- The unique batch number for traceability.
4. What are some common categories of tablet medicines and their uses?
Tablet medicines are classified based on their therapeutic action. Common categories include:
- Analgesics: Used for pain relief, such as Paracetamol and Aspirin.
- Antacids: To neutralise stomach acid and relieve heartburn, like those containing Calcium Carbonate.
- Antibiotics: To treat bacterial infections, for example, Chloroquine for malaria.
- Dietary Supplements: To provide essential nutrients, such as Vitamin C and Iron tablets.
5. What are the main components of a medicinal tablet apart from the active drug?
Besides the active ingredient, tablets contain inactive components called excipients, which are crucial for their formulation and function. Key excipients include:
- Fillers or Diluents: To add bulk and make the tablet large enough to handle.
- Binders: To hold the ingredients together and give the tablet its solid form.
- Disintegrants: To help the tablet break apart in the digestive tract and release the drug.
- Lubricants: To prevent the tablet mixture from sticking to the manufacturing equipment.
6. How does a solid tablet dissolve and release medicine inside the body?
When a tablet is swallowed, it travels to the stomach or intestine. The fluids in the digestive tract cause the tablet to break down. This process is aided by disintegrants, which are special excipients that swell upon contact with water, forcing the tablet to break into smaller granules. This increases the surface area of the drug, allowing for better solubility and absorption into the bloodstream, where it can then travel to its target site.
7. What are the advantages of tablets compared to other forms of medicine like syrups or injections?
Tablets offer several advantages over other medicinal forms:
- Dosage Accuracy: Each tablet contains a precise, pre-measured dose, eliminating the risk of incorrect measurement common with liquid syrups.
- Stability: Being solid, tablets have a longer shelf-life and are less prone to degradation than liquids.
- Convenience: They are compact, easy to carry, and simple to self-administer.
- Taste Masking: Special coatings can be applied to hide the unpleasant taste of the active drug.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Mass production of tablets is generally more economical than producing sterile injections.
8. Why are some tablets coated, and are all coatings the same?
Tablets are coated for several reasons: to mask taste, make them easier to swallow, protect the drug from air or moisture, and control its release. Not all coatings are the same. A common type is a simple sugar or film coating for taste. A more advanced type is the enteric coating, which is designed to resist stomach acid. This protects the drug from being destroyed by the acid and prevents the drug from irritating the stomach lining. Enteric-coated tablets only dissolve once they reach the less acidic environment of the small intestine.
9. Can a tablet's effectiveness be affected by food or other drinks?
Yes, a tablet's effectiveness can be significantly altered by food and drinks. Some drugs are absorbed less efficiently when taken with food, while others require food for proper absorption. For instance, certain vegetables can inhibit the absorption of thyroid medication. It is crucial to follow the specific instructions provided by a doctor or pharmacist, such as "take with food" or "take on an empty stomach," to ensure the medicine works as intended.
10. How do specific tablets like antacids work inside the body?
Antacid tablets work by neutralising excess stomach acid. The stomach naturally produces hydrochloric acid, but overproduction can cause discomfort like heartburn. Antacids contain weak bases, such as calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide. When ingested, these compounds react with the strong stomach acid (HCl) in a chemical neutralisation reaction, raising the stomach's pH and providing rapid relief from acidity.
