Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEnteric-Coated TabletsPreventing Stomach UlcersIncreasing Medication EffectivenessHow to Take the Tablets
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Enteric-Coated Tablets
Preventing Stomach Ulcers
Increasing Medication Effectiveness
How to Take the Tablets
Enteric-coated tablets are oral medications that have a polymer coating. This coating helps prevent stomach problems associated withpain medicationslike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Enteric-coating also helps prevent your stomach acids from making certain medications ineffective.
This article discusses enteric coatings on medications like NSAIDs and what their purpose is.
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What Are Enteric-Coated Tablets?
Enteric-coated tablets are coated with a polymer coating, often a derivative of cellulose or acrylic acid. The specific coating is chosen based on how and if it breaks down in different pH environments.
Your stomach is very acidic, with a pH of between 1.5 and 2.0.The first part of your small intestine has a pH of around 6, which is much less acidic than your stomach.
Some medications won’t work if they break down in an acidic environment. The purpose of the enteric coating is to protect the medication until it moves into your small intestine. This helps maximize its absorption and increase its effectiveness.
How do I know if a pill is enteric-coated?Enteric-coated tablets typically have the letters EN or EC at the end of the medication name.
How do I know if a pill is enteric-coated?
Enteric-coated tablets typically have the letters EN or EC at the end of the medication name.
When you takeNSAIDs, an enteric coating helps protect your stomach from irritation. Examples of NSAIDs include:
NSAIDs are helpful for treating pain and conditions like musculoskeletal disorders andarthritis, but this class of medication is also associated with ulcers and other upper GI tract injuries.Along with these gastrointestinal problems, complications including hemorrhage and perforation often occur.
Between 15% and 30% of people who use NSAIDs long-term will develop stomach ulcers.
Do you take enteric-coated tablets with or without food?Most enteric-coated tablets can be taken with or without food, but ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are unsure.
Do you take enteric-coated tablets with or without food?
Most enteric-coated tablets can be taken with or without food, but ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are unsure.
NSAIDs and Peptic Ulcer Risk
An enteric coating can also help prevent your stomach acids from degrading your medication and making it ineffective.
What is the difference between a coated tablet and an enteric-coated tablet?
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How to Take Enteric-Coated Tablets
Enteric-coated pills are designed to dissolve in your digestive system and should not be cut in half, chewed, crushed, or dissolved before you take them.
Cutting, crushing, or breaking an enteric-coated medication before taking it negates its protective effect and exposes the stomach to potential irritation. Crushing or breaking an enteric-coated medication may lead to serious side effects, may prevent the medication from working properly, and may slow down your recovery rate.
Always read the patient information leaflet or check with your pharmacist to see if it is safe to crush your tablets or open your capsules. If your needs have changed and you are finding it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules, then contact your physician, who will prescribe your medication in another form that is easier for you to take.
How to Take Oral Medications Properly
Summary
Drugs like NSAIDs are often enteric-coated to help prevent stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal side effects. Certain drugs are also enteric-coated so they can be absorbed in the small intestine instead of the stomach.
You shouldn’t cut, crush, or chew enteric-coated medication. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about the best way to take these drugs.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fujimori S.Gastric acid level of humans must decrease in the future.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(43):6706-6709. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i43.6706
Amara S, Bourlieu C, Humbert L, Rainteau D, Carrière F.Variations in gastrointestinal lipases, pH and bile acid levels with food intake, age and diseases: Possible impact on oral lipid-based drug delivery systems.Adv Drug Deliv Rev.2019;142:3-15. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2019.03.005
American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.
Zaid AN.A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical film coating: Past, present, and future.Drug Des Devel Ther. 2020;14:4613-4623. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S277439
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