Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCapsule vs. TabletCapsulesTabletsIs It Safe to Crush Tablets or Open Capsules?What Makes It Easier to Swallow Medications?

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Table of Contents

Capsule vs. Tablet

Capsules

Tablets

Is It Safe to Crush Tablets or Open Capsules?

What Makes It Easier to Swallow Medications?

Capsules and tablets are commonly used because they’re convenient, safe, and effective.

The following article covers the differences between capsules and tablets and a few things to consider.

kate_sept2004 / Getty Images

Black female with tablets and capsules in her hands.

Though similar, there are some essential distinctions between capsules and tablets.

Some notable differences include the following:

Some products are available as both tablets and capsules. The choice of these medicines may come down to cost, taste, and ease of swallowing.

Many people prefer capsules to tablets.

Types of capsules include the following:

What’s in Capsules?

Excipients are ingredients besides the active drug that helps hold the medicine together, keep it stable, and mask its taste.Excipients make up as much as 90% of the product.

Excipients used in capsules can vary depending on the product. They may include the following:

When Are Capsules Taken?

Capsules can deliver medicines that are solids, semisolids, or liquids.They are used to deliver medicines that do not dissolve well in water.They’re ideal for potent medicineswhen a low and precise dose is necessary.

In at least some cases, capsules are more bioavailable than tablets. This means that they deliver medicine to the bloodstream better.

Capsules are preferred over tablets for people with problems absorbing drugs and for those taking medicines likeproton pump inhibitors, calcium, or iron.

What Do Capsules Look Like?

Capsules are available with either hard or soft shells (softgel capsules).Hard capsules are shaped like cylinders, while softgels can be oval or oblong.

Pros and Cons of Capsules

There are pros and cons to taking any dosage form.

Advantagesof capsules include the following:

Disadvantagesof capsules include the following:

Tablets are the most common oral dosage form because they are convenient, easy to take, and remain stable for a long time.

Types of tablets include the following:

What’s in Tablets?

Common excipients used in tablets include the following:

Note that chewable tablets often contain gelatin.

When Are Tablets Taken?

Tablets that can be split allow for changes in dose without needing a new prescription.This can be a cost saver. Tablets that dissolve in the mouth are ideal for people with difficulty swallowing.

Some tablets, like the antibiotic azithromycin, are more effective than capsules when taken with food.

What Do Tablets Look Like?

Tablets can be round, square, or oval-shaped.They come in many different sizes and colors. Often, but not always, tablets are imprinted with letters or numbers to distinguish them from other medicines. They may be scored (with a dividing line) or unscored.

Pros and Cons of Tablets

Theadvantagesof tablets include the following:

Thedisadvantagesof tablets include the following:

A Word From VerywellMany factors can come into play when determining whether a capsule or tablet would be better. This can include inactive ingredients, a person’s ability to swallow, the ability to crush tablet or open capsule, or the need for partial doses. Cost and availability may ultimately be the deciding factor for many patients, as some medications are only available as one formulation or are expensive otherwise.—LINDSAY COOK, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

A Word From Verywell

Many factors can come into play when determining whether a capsule or tablet would be better. This can include inactive ingredients, a person’s ability to swallow, the ability to crush tablet or open capsule, or the need for partial doses. Cost and availability may ultimately be the deciding factor for many patients, as some medications are only available as one formulation or are expensive otherwise.—LINDSAY COOK, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Many factors can come into play when determining whether a capsule or tablet would be better. This can include inactive ingredients, a person’s ability to swallow, the ability to crush tablet or open capsule, or the need for partial doses. Cost and availability may ultimately be the deciding factor for many patients, as some medications are only available as one formulation or are expensive otherwise.

—LINDSAY COOK, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Lindsay Cook, PharmD

Sometimes, but not always.Crushing tablets or opening capsules changes the way they are absorbed in the body. You may end up getting too much or too little of the medicine.

If you havedysphagia(difficulty swallowing) or use afeeding tubeto deliver medicines, discuss your needs with one of the following healthcare professionals:

They can ensure you are getting formulations that are safe and effective for you.

If you have trouble swallowing medications, ask your healthcare provider if mixing your pills in food or drinks is safe.

Consider an ODT tablet if it’s available. These dissolve in the mouth, so you don’t have to swallow.Chewable tablets are also easier to swallow.

For some people, taking liquid medications may be easier than swallowing solids like tablets or capsules.If your medicine isn’t available in liquid form, a compounding pharmacy may be able to tailor-make one for you with a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Finally, proven techniques to help make swallowing solid medications easier include:

Note that theseposturaltechniques are not recommended for people withdysphagia(trouble swallowing). This is because they can causeaspiration(fluids entering the airway).

Summary

Capsules are easier to swallow, generally tasteless, and quickly absorbed. On the other hand, they are more susceptible to moisture, temperature, and light than tablets are.

Tablets are inexpensive, stable for long periods, and usually able to be split for dose adjustments. Drawbacks include bitter taste and being harder to swallow.

Discuss your specific questions and concerns with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to optimize your therapy.

41 SourcesVerywell 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.Stillhart C, Vučićević K, Augustijns P, et al.Impact of gastrointestinal physiology on drug absorption in special populations—an UNGAP review.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2020;147:105280. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105280Trevisan CLM, Carraro A, Baldari GLA, et al.Treatment satisfaction, efficacy, and tolerability of low-dose diclofenac epolamine soft capsules in acute, mild, or moderate musculoskeletal pain: a prospective open-label, single-arm interventional study.Pain Ther. 2023;12(5):1149-1163. doi:10.1007/s40122-023-00531-zSchiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. Published 2018 Mar 26. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Franc A, Vetchý D, Fülöpová N.Commercially available enteric empty hard capsules, production technology and application.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(11):1398. Published 2022 Nov 13. doi:10.3390/ph15111398Banaczkowska-Duda E, Bieńkowska-Tokarczyk A, Małecki M.Gene capsules as functional pharmaceutical formulations for delivery of DNA as an active substance.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022;31(1):81-93. doi:10.17219/acem/141898Venturini Díaz M, Vidal Oribe I, D’Elia Torrence D, et al.New challenges in drug allergy: the resurgence of excipients.Curr Treat Options Allergy. 2022;9(3):273-291. doi:10.1007/s40521-022-00313-6Adepu S, Ramakrishna S.Controlled drug delivery systems: current status and future directions.Molecules. 2021;26(19):5905. Published 2021 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/molecules26195905Lee HS, Lee JJ, Kim MG, et al.Sprinkle formulations—a review of commercially available products.Asian J Pharm Sci. 2020;15(3):292-310. doi:10.1016/j.ajps.2019.05.003Andrade C.Sustained-release, extended-release, and other time-release formulations in neuropsychiatry.J Clin Psychiatry. 2015;76(8):e995-e999. doi:10.4088/JCP.15f10219Pockle RD, Masareddy RS, Patil AS, et al.A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical excipients.Ther Deliv. 2023;14(7):443-458. doi:10.4155/tde-2023-0026Gullapalli RP, Mazzitelli CL.Gelatin and non-gelatin capsule dosage forms.J Pharm Sci. 2017;106(6):1453-1465. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2017.02.006Zhou K, Yang Y, Zheng B, et al.Enhancing pullulan soft capsules with a mixture of glycerol and sorbitol plasticizers: a multi-dimensional study.Polymers (Basel). 2023;15(10):2247. Published 2023 May 10. doi:10.3390/polym15102247de Freitas Araújo Reis MY, de Araújo Rêgo RI, Rocha BP, et al.A general approach on surfactants use and properties in drug delivery systems.Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(42):4300-4314. doi:10.2174/1381612827666210526091825He H, Ye J, Zhang X, et al.κ-Carrageenan/locust bean gum as hard capsule gelling agents.Carbohydr Polym. 2017;175:417-424. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.07.049Cole ET, Cadé D, Benameur H.Challenges and opportunities in the encapsulation of liquid and semi-solid formulations into capsules for oral administration.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008;60(6):747-756. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2007.09.009Benvenga S.Liquid and softgel capsules of l-thyroxine results lower serum thyrotropin levels more than tablet formulations in hypothyroid patients.J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2019;18:100204. Published 2019 Aug 6. doi:10.1016/j.jcte.2019.100204Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears in Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. Published 2021 Jan 11. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238Desai SM, Wang J, Ananthakrishnan UM, et al.Estimation of potential savings associated with switching medication formulation.JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3(2):e214823. Published 2022 Feb 4. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4823Gupta A, Ciavarella AB, Rothman B, et al.Stability of gabapentin 300-mg capsules repackaged in unit dose containers.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009;66(15):1376-1380. doi:10.2146/ajhp080236Naharros-Molinero A, Caballo-González MÁ, de la Mata FJ, et al.Shell formulation in soft gelatin capsules: design and characterization.Adv Healthc Mater. 2024;13(1):e2302250. doi:10.1002/adhm.202302250Sohail Arshad M, Zafar S, Yousef B, et al.A review of emerging technologies enabling improved solid oral dosage form manufacturing and processing.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021;178:113840. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2021.113840Strickley RG.Pediatric oral formulations: an updated review of commercially available pediatric oral formulations since 2007.J Pharm Sci. 2019;108(4):1335-1365. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2018.11.013Ghourichay MP, Kiaie SH, Nokhodchi A, et al.Formulation and quality control of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs): recent advances and perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6618934. Published 2021 Dec 24. doi:10.1155/2021/6618934Mitra B, Thool P, Meruva S, et al.Decoding the small size challenges of mini-tablets for enhanced dose flexibility and micro-dosing.Int J Pharm. 2020;574:118905. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118905Maderuelo C, Lanao JM, Zarzuelo A.Enteric coating of oral solid dosage forms as a tool to improve drug bioavailability.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2019;138:105019. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2019.105019Maghrabia AE, Boughdady MF, Meshali MM.New perspective enteric-coated tablet dosage form for oral administration of ceftriaxone:in vitro and in vivoassessments.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2019;20(7):306. Published 2019 Sep 11. doi:10.1208/s12249-019-1512-yMohammed KA, Ibrahim HK, Ghorab MM.Effervescent tablet formulation for enhanced patient compliance and the therapeutic effect of risperidone.Drug Deliv. 2016;23(1):297-306. doi:10.3109/10717544.2014.912693Azman SEN, Abd Razak FS, Kamal WHBW, et al.Investigation of filler effects on the compounding of freeze-dried orodispersible tablets containingAnnona muricataextract.Int J Pharm Compd. 2020;24(6):509-514.Pereira GRS, Taveira SF, Cunha-Filho M, et al.The effects of fillers and binders on the accuracy of tablet subdivision.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2018;19(7):2929-2933. doi:10.1208/s12249-018-1144-7Dille MJ, Hattrem MN, Draget KI.Soft, chewable gelatin-based pharmaceutical oral formulations: a technical approach.Pharm Dev Technol. 2018;23(5):504-511. doi:10.1080/10837450.2017.1332642Cohen CI, Cohen SI.Potential savings from splitting newer antidepressant medications.CNS Drugs. 2002;16(5):353-358. doi:10.2165/00023210-200216050-00007Damian F, Harati M, Schwartzenhauer J, et al.Challenges of dissolution methods development for soft gelatin capsules.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(2):214. Published 2021 Feb 4. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13020214Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, et al.Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality.Afr Health Sci. 2019;19(3):2737-2739. doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i3.49Quinzler R, Haefeli WE.Tabletten teilen [Tablet splitting].Ther Umsch. 2006;63(6):441-447. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.63.6.441Mennella JA, Roberts KM, Mathew PS, et al.Children’s perceptions about medicines: individual differences and taste.BMC Pediatr. 2015;15:130. Published 2015 Sep 21. doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0447-zProietti S, Carlomagno G, Dinicola S, et al.Soft gel capsules improve melatonin’s bioavailability in humans.Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2014;10(9):1193-1198. doi:10.1517/17425255.2014.943183Blaszczyk A, Brandt N, Ashley J, et al.Crushed tablet administration for patients with dysphagia and enteral feeding: challenges and considerations.Drugs Aging. 2023;40(10):895-907. doi:10.1007/s40266-023-01056-yNational Library of Medicine PubMed.Crushing tablets or opening capsules: many uncertainties, some established dangers.Prescrire Int. 2014;23(152):209-214.Forough AS, Lau ET, Steadman KJ, et al.A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018;12:1337-1346. Published 2018 Jul 26. doi:10.2147/PPA.S164406Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, et al.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

41 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.Stillhart C, Vučićević K, Augustijns P, et al.Impact of gastrointestinal physiology on drug absorption in special populations—an UNGAP review.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2020;147:105280. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105280Trevisan CLM, Carraro A, Baldari GLA, et al.Treatment satisfaction, efficacy, and tolerability of low-dose diclofenac epolamine soft capsules in acute, mild, or moderate musculoskeletal pain: a prospective open-label, single-arm interventional study.Pain Ther. 2023;12(5):1149-1163. doi:10.1007/s40122-023-00531-zSchiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. Published 2018 Mar 26. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Franc A, Vetchý D, Fülöpová N.Commercially available enteric empty hard capsules, production technology and application.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(11):1398. Published 2022 Nov 13. doi:10.3390/ph15111398Banaczkowska-Duda E, Bieńkowska-Tokarczyk A, Małecki M.Gene capsules as functional pharmaceutical formulations for delivery of DNA as an active substance.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022;31(1):81-93. doi:10.17219/acem/141898Venturini Díaz M, Vidal Oribe I, D’Elia Torrence D, et al.New challenges in drug allergy: the resurgence of excipients.Curr Treat Options Allergy. 2022;9(3):273-291. doi:10.1007/s40521-022-00313-6Adepu S, Ramakrishna S.Controlled drug delivery systems: current status and future directions.Molecules. 2021;26(19):5905. Published 2021 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/molecules26195905Lee HS, Lee JJ, Kim MG, et al.Sprinkle formulations—a review of commercially available products.Asian J Pharm Sci. 2020;15(3):292-310. doi:10.1016/j.ajps.2019.05.003Andrade C.Sustained-release, extended-release, and other time-release formulations in neuropsychiatry.J Clin Psychiatry. 2015;76(8):e995-e999. doi:10.4088/JCP.15f10219Pockle RD, Masareddy RS, Patil AS, et al.A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical excipients.Ther Deliv. 2023;14(7):443-458. doi:10.4155/tde-2023-0026Gullapalli RP, Mazzitelli CL.Gelatin and non-gelatin capsule dosage forms.J Pharm Sci. 2017;106(6):1453-1465. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2017.02.006Zhou K, Yang Y, Zheng B, et al.Enhancing pullulan soft capsules with a mixture of glycerol and sorbitol plasticizers: a multi-dimensional study.Polymers (Basel). 2023;15(10):2247. Published 2023 May 10. doi:10.3390/polym15102247de Freitas Araújo Reis MY, de Araújo Rêgo RI, Rocha BP, et al.A general approach on surfactants use and properties in drug delivery systems.Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(42):4300-4314. doi:10.2174/1381612827666210526091825He H, Ye J, Zhang X, et al.κ-Carrageenan/locust bean gum as hard capsule gelling agents.Carbohydr Polym. 2017;175:417-424. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.07.049Cole ET, Cadé D, Benameur H.Challenges and opportunities in the encapsulation of liquid and semi-solid formulations into capsules for oral administration.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008;60(6):747-756. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2007.09.009Benvenga S.Liquid and softgel capsules of l-thyroxine results lower serum thyrotropin levels more than tablet formulations in hypothyroid patients.J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2019;18:100204. Published 2019 Aug 6. doi:10.1016/j.jcte.2019.100204Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears in Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. Published 2021 Jan 11. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238Desai SM, Wang J, Ananthakrishnan UM, et al.Estimation of potential savings associated with switching medication formulation.JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3(2):e214823. Published 2022 Feb 4. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4823Gupta A, Ciavarella AB, Rothman B, et al.Stability of gabapentin 300-mg capsules repackaged in unit dose containers.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009;66(15):1376-1380. doi:10.2146/ajhp080236Naharros-Molinero A, Caballo-González MÁ, de la Mata FJ, et al.Shell formulation in soft gelatin capsules: design and characterization.Adv Healthc Mater. 2024;13(1):e2302250. doi:10.1002/adhm.202302250Sohail Arshad M, Zafar S, Yousef B, et al.A review of emerging technologies enabling improved solid oral dosage form manufacturing and processing.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021;178:113840. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2021.113840Strickley RG.Pediatric oral formulations: an updated review of commercially available pediatric oral formulations since 2007.J Pharm Sci. 2019;108(4):1335-1365. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2018.11.013Ghourichay MP, Kiaie SH, Nokhodchi A, et al.Formulation and quality control of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs): recent advances and perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6618934. Published 2021 Dec 24. doi:10.1155/2021/6618934Mitra B, Thool P, Meruva S, et al.Decoding the small size challenges of mini-tablets for enhanced dose flexibility and micro-dosing.Int J Pharm. 2020;574:118905. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118905Maderuelo C, Lanao JM, Zarzuelo A.Enteric coating of oral solid dosage forms as a tool to improve drug bioavailability.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2019;138:105019. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2019.105019Maghrabia AE, Boughdady MF, Meshali MM.New perspective enteric-coated tablet dosage form for oral administration of ceftriaxone:in vitro and in vivoassessments.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2019;20(7):306. Published 2019 Sep 11. doi:10.1208/s12249-019-1512-yMohammed KA, Ibrahim HK, Ghorab MM.Effervescent tablet formulation for enhanced patient compliance and the therapeutic effect of risperidone.Drug Deliv. 2016;23(1):297-306. doi:10.3109/10717544.2014.912693Azman SEN, Abd Razak FS, Kamal WHBW, et al.Investigation of filler effects on the compounding of freeze-dried orodispersible tablets containingAnnona muricataextract.Int J Pharm Compd. 2020;24(6):509-514.Pereira GRS, Taveira SF, Cunha-Filho M, et al.The effects of fillers and binders on the accuracy of tablet subdivision.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2018;19(7):2929-2933. doi:10.1208/s12249-018-1144-7Dille MJ, Hattrem MN, Draget KI.Soft, chewable gelatin-based pharmaceutical oral formulations: a technical approach.Pharm Dev Technol. 2018;23(5):504-511. doi:10.1080/10837450.2017.1332642Cohen CI, Cohen SI.Potential savings from splitting newer antidepressant medications.CNS Drugs. 2002;16(5):353-358. doi:10.2165/00023210-200216050-00007Damian F, Harati M, Schwartzenhauer J, et al.Challenges of dissolution methods development for soft gelatin capsules.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(2):214. Published 2021 Feb 4. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13020214Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, et al.Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality.Afr Health Sci. 2019;19(3):2737-2739. doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i3.49Quinzler R, Haefeli WE.Tabletten teilen [Tablet splitting].Ther Umsch. 2006;63(6):441-447. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.63.6.441Mennella JA, Roberts KM, Mathew PS, et al.Children’s perceptions about medicines: individual differences and taste.BMC Pediatr. 2015;15:130. Published 2015 Sep 21. doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0447-zProietti S, Carlomagno G, Dinicola S, et al.Soft gel capsules improve melatonin’s bioavailability in humans.Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2014;10(9):1193-1198. doi:10.1517/17425255.2014.943183Blaszczyk A, Brandt N, Ashley J, et al.Crushed tablet administration for patients with dysphagia and enteral feeding: challenges and considerations.Drugs Aging. 2023;40(10):895-907. doi:10.1007/s40266-023-01056-yNational Library of Medicine PubMed.Crushing tablets or opening capsules: many uncertainties, some established dangers.Prescrire Int. 2014;23(152):209-214.Forough AS, Lau ET, Steadman KJ, et al.A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018;12:1337-1346. Published 2018 Jul 26. doi:10.2147/PPA.S164406Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, et al.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

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.

Stillhart C, Vučićević K, Augustijns P, et al.Impact of gastrointestinal physiology on drug absorption in special populations—an UNGAP review.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2020;147:105280. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105280Trevisan CLM, Carraro A, Baldari GLA, et al.Treatment satisfaction, efficacy, and tolerability of low-dose diclofenac epolamine soft capsules in acute, mild, or moderate musculoskeletal pain: a prospective open-label, single-arm interventional study.Pain Ther. 2023;12(5):1149-1163. doi:10.1007/s40122-023-00531-zSchiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. Published 2018 Mar 26. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Franc A, Vetchý D, Fülöpová N.Commercially available enteric empty hard capsules, production technology and application.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(11):1398. Published 2022 Nov 13. doi:10.3390/ph15111398Banaczkowska-Duda E, Bieńkowska-Tokarczyk A, Małecki M.Gene capsules as functional pharmaceutical formulations for delivery of DNA as an active substance.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022;31(1):81-93. doi:10.17219/acem/141898Venturini Díaz M, Vidal Oribe I, D’Elia Torrence D, et al.New challenges in drug allergy: the resurgence of excipients.Curr Treat Options Allergy. 2022;9(3):273-291. doi:10.1007/s40521-022-00313-6Adepu S, Ramakrishna S.Controlled drug delivery systems: current status and future directions.Molecules. 2021;26(19):5905. Published 2021 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/molecules26195905Lee HS, Lee JJ, Kim MG, et al.Sprinkle formulations—a review of commercially available products.Asian J Pharm Sci. 2020;15(3):292-310. doi:10.1016/j.ajps.2019.05.003Andrade C.Sustained-release, extended-release, and other time-release formulations in neuropsychiatry.J Clin Psychiatry. 2015;76(8):e995-e999. doi:10.4088/JCP.15f10219Pockle RD, Masareddy RS, Patil AS, et al.A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical excipients.Ther Deliv. 2023;14(7):443-458. doi:10.4155/tde-2023-0026Gullapalli RP, Mazzitelli CL.Gelatin and non-gelatin capsule dosage forms.J Pharm Sci. 2017;106(6):1453-1465. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2017.02.006Zhou K, Yang Y, Zheng B, et al.Enhancing pullulan soft capsules with a mixture of glycerol and sorbitol plasticizers: a multi-dimensional study.Polymers (Basel). 2023;15(10):2247. Published 2023 May 10. doi:10.3390/polym15102247de Freitas Araújo Reis MY, de Araújo Rêgo RI, Rocha BP, et al.A general approach on surfactants use and properties in drug delivery systems.Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(42):4300-4314. doi:10.2174/1381612827666210526091825He H, Ye J, Zhang X, et al.κ-Carrageenan/locust bean gum as hard capsule gelling agents.Carbohydr Polym. 2017;175:417-424. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.07.049Cole ET, Cadé D, Benameur H.Challenges and opportunities in the encapsulation of liquid and semi-solid formulations into capsules for oral administration.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008;60(6):747-756. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2007.09.009Benvenga S.Liquid and softgel capsules of l-thyroxine results lower serum thyrotropin levels more than tablet formulations in hypothyroid patients.J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2019;18:100204. Published 2019 Aug 6. doi:10.1016/j.jcte.2019.100204Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears in Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. Published 2021 Jan 11. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238Desai SM, Wang J, Ananthakrishnan UM, et al.Estimation of potential savings associated with switching medication formulation.JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3(2):e214823. Published 2022 Feb 4. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4823Gupta A, Ciavarella AB, Rothman B, et al.Stability of gabapentin 300-mg capsules repackaged in unit dose containers.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009;66(15):1376-1380. doi:10.2146/ajhp080236Naharros-Molinero A, Caballo-González MÁ, de la Mata FJ, et al.Shell formulation in soft gelatin capsules: design and characterization.Adv Healthc Mater. 2024;13(1):e2302250. doi:10.1002/adhm.202302250Sohail Arshad M, Zafar S, Yousef B, et al.A review of emerging technologies enabling improved solid oral dosage form manufacturing and processing.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021;178:113840. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2021.113840Strickley RG.Pediatric oral formulations: an updated review of commercially available pediatric oral formulations since 2007.J Pharm Sci. 2019;108(4):1335-1365. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2018.11.013Ghourichay MP, Kiaie SH, Nokhodchi A, et al.Formulation and quality control of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs): recent advances and perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6618934. Published 2021 Dec 24. doi:10.1155/2021/6618934Mitra B, Thool P, Meruva S, et al.Decoding the small size challenges of mini-tablets for enhanced dose flexibility and micro-dosing.Int J Pharm. 2020;574:118905. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118905Maderuelo C, Lanao JM, Zarzuelo A.Enteric coating of oral solid dosage forms as a tool to improve drug bioavailability.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2019;138:105019. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2019.105019Maghrabia AE, Boughdady MF, Meshali MM.New perspective enteric-coated tablet dosage form for oral administration of ceftriaxone:in vitro and in vivoassessments.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2019;20(7):306. Published 2019 Sep 11. doi:10.1208/s12249-019-1512-yMohammed KA, Ibrahim HK, Ghorab MM.Effervescent tablet formulation for enhanced patient compliance and the therapeutic effect of risperidone.Drug Deliv. 2016;23(1):297-306. doi:10.3109/10717544.2014.912693Azman SEN, Abd Razak FS, Kamal WHBW, et al.Investigation of filler effects on the compounding of freeze-dried orodispersible tablets containingAnnona muricataextract.Int J Pharm Compd. 2020;24(6):509-514.Pereira GRS, Taveira SF, Cunha-Filho M, et al.The effects of fillers and binders on the accuracy of tablet subdivision.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2018;19(7):2929-2933. doi:10.1208/s12249-018-1144-7Dille MJ, Hattrem MN, Draget KI.Soft, chewable gelatin-based pharmaceutical oral formulations: a technical approach.Pharm Dev Technol. 2018;23(5):504-511. doi:10.1080/10837450.2017.1332642Cohen CI, Cohen SI.Potential savings from splitting newer antidepressant medications.CNS Drugs. 2002;16(5):353-358. doi:10.2165/00023210-200216050-00007Damian F, Harati M, Schwartzenhauer J, et al.Challenges of dissolution methods development for soft gelatin capsules.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(2):214. Published 2021 Feb 4. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13020214Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, et al.Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality.Afr Health Sci. 2019;19(3):2737-2739. doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i3.49Quinzler R, Haefeli WE.Tabletten teilen [Tablet splitting].Ther Umsch. 2006;63(6):441-447. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.63.6.441Mennella JA, Roberts KM, Mathew PS, et al.Children’s perceptions about medicines: individual differences and taste.BMC Pediatr. 2015;15:130. Published 2015 Sep 21. doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0447-zProietti S, Carlomagno G, Dinicola S, et al.Soft gel capsules improve melatonin’s bioavailability in humans.Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2014;10(9):1193-1198. doi:10.1517/17425255.2014.943183Blaszczyk A, Brandt N, Ashley J, et al.Crushed tablet administration for patients with dysphagia and enteral feeding: challenges and considerations.Drugs Aging. 2023;40(10):895-907. doi:10.1007/s40266-023-01056-yNational Library of Medicine PubMed.Crushing tablets or opening capsules: many uncertainties, some established dangers.Prescrire Int. 2014;23(152):209-214.Forough AS, Lau ET, Steadman KJ, et al.A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018;12:1337-1346. Published 2018 Jul 26. doi:10.2147/PPA.S164406Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, et al.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

Stillhart C, Vučićević K, Augustijns P, et al.Impact of gastrointestinal physiology on drug absorption in special populations—an UNGAP review.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2020;147:105280. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105280

Trevisan CLM, Carraro A, Baldari GLA, et al.Treatment satisfaction, efficacy, and tolerability of low-dose diclofenac epolamine soft capsules in acute, mild, or moderate musculoskeletal pain: a prospective open-label, single-arm interventional study.Pain Ther. 2023;12(5):1149-1163. doi:10.1007/s40122-023-00531-z

Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. Published 2018 Mar 26. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005

Franc A, Vetchý D, Fülöpová N.Commercially available enteric empty hard capsules, production technology and application.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(11):1398. Published 2022 Nov 13. doi:10.3390/ph15111398

Banaczkowska-Duda E, Bieńkowska-Tokarczyk A, Małecki M.Gene capsules as functional pharmaceutical formulations for delivery of DNA as an active substance.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022;31(1):81-93. doi:10.17219/acem/141898

Venturini Díaz M, Vidal Oribe I, D’Elia Torrence D, et al.New challenges in drug allergy: the resurgence of excipients.Curr Treat Options Allergy. 2022;9(3):273-291. doi:10.1007/s40521-022-00313-6

Adepu S, Ramakrishna S.Controlled drug delivery systems: current status and future directions.Molecules. 2021;26(19):5905. Published 2021 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/molecules26195905

Lee HS, Lee JJ, Kim MG, et al.Sprinkle formulations—a review of commercially available products.Asian J Pharm Sci. 2020;15(3):292-310. doi:10.1016/j.ajps.2019.05.003

Andrade C.Sustained-release, extended-release, and other time-release formulations in neuropsychiatry.J Clin Psychiatry. 2015;76(8):e995-e999. doi:10.4088/JCP.15f10219

Pockle RD, Masareddy RS, Patil AS, et al.A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical excipients.Ther Deliv. 2023;14(7):443-458. doi:10.4155/tde-2023-0026

Gullapalli RP, Mazzitelli CL.Gelatin and non-gelatin capsule dosage forms.J Pharm Sci. 2017;106(6):1453-1465. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2017.02.006

Zhou K, Yang Y, Zheng B, et al.Enhancing pullulan soft capsules with a mixture of glycerol and sorbitol plasticizers: a multi-dimensional study.Polymers (Basel). 2023;15(10):2247. Published 2023 May 10. doi:10.3390/polym15102247

de Freitas Araújo Reis MY, de Araújo Rêgo RI, Rocha BP, et al.A general approach on surfactants use and properties in drug delivery systems.Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(42):4300-4314. doi:10.2174/1381612827666210526091825

He H, Ye J, Zhang X, et al.κ-Carrageenan/locust bean gum as hard capsule gelling agents.Carbohydr Polym. 2017;175:417-424. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.07.049

Cole ET, Cadé D, Benameur H.Challenges and opportunities in the encapsulation of liquid and semi-solid formulations into capsules for oral administration.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008;60(6):747-756. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2007.09.009

Benvenga S.Liquid and softgel capsules of l-thyroxine results lower serum thyrotropin levels more than tablet formulations in hypothyroid patients.J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2019;18:100204. Published 2019 Aug 6. doi:10.1016/j.jcte.2019.100204

Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears in Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876

Radhakrishnan C, Sefidani Forough A, Cichero JAY, et al.A difficult pill to swallow: an investigation of the factors associated with medication swallowing difficulties.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2021;15:29-40. Published 2021 Jan 11. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277238

Desai SM, Wang J, Ananthakrishnan UM, et al.Estimation of potential savings associated with switching medication formulation.JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3(2):e214823. Published 2022 Feb 4. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4823

Gupta A, Ciavarella AB, Rothman B, et al.Stability of gabapentin 300-mg capsules repackaged in unit dose containers.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009;66(15):1376-1380. doi:10.2146/ajhp080236

Naharros-Molinero A, Caballo-González MÁ, de la Mata FJ, et al.Shell formulation in soft gelatin capsules: design and characterization.Adv Healthc Mater. 2024;13(1):e2302250. doi:10.1002/adhm.202302250

Sohail Arshad M, Zafar S, Yousef B, et al.A review of emerging technologies enabling improved solid oral dosage form manufacturing and processing.Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021;178:113840. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2021.113840

Strickley RG.Pediatric oral formulations: an updated review of commercially available pediatric oral formulations since 2007.J Pharm Sci. 2019;108(4):1335-1365. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2018.11.013

Ghourichay MP, Kiaie SH, Nokhodchi A, et al.Formulation and quality control of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs): recent advances and perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2021;2021:6618934. Published 2021 Dec 24. doi:10.1155/2021/6618934

Mitra B, Thool P, Meruva S, et al.Decoding the small size challenges of mini-tablets for enhanced dose flexibility and micro-dosing.Int J Pharm. 2020;574:118905. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118905

Maderuelo C, Lanao JM, Zarzuelo A.Enteric coating of oral solid dosage forms as a tool to improve drug bioavailability.Eur J Pharm Sci. 2019;138:105019. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2019.105019

Maghrabia AE, Boughdady MF, Meshali MM.New perspective enteric-coated tablet dosage form for oral administration of ceftriaxone:in vitro and in vivoassessments.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2019;20(7):306. Published 2019 Sep 11. doi:10.1208/s12249-019-1512-y

Mohammed KA, Ibrahim HK, Ghorab MM.Effervescent tablet formulation for enhanced patient compliance and the therapeutic effect of risperidone.Drug Deliv. 2016;23(1):297-306. doi:10.3109/10717544.2014.912693

Azman SEN, Abd Razak FS, Kamal WHBW, et al.Investigation of filler effects on the compounding of freeze-dried orodispersible tablets containingAnnona muricataextract.Int J Pharm Compd. 2020;24(6):509-514.

Pereira GRS, Taveira SF, Cunha-Filho M, et al.The effects of fillers and binders on the accuracy of tablet subdivision.AAPS PharmSciTech. 2018;19(7):2929-2933. doi:10.1208/s12249-018-1144-7

Dille MJ, Hattrem MN, Draget KI.Soft, chewable gelatin-based pharmaceutical oral formulations: a technical approach.Pharm Dev Technol. 2018;23(5):504-511. doi:10.1080/10837450.2017.1332642

Cohen CI, Cohen SI.Potential savings from splitting newer antidepressant medications.CNS Drugs. 2002;16(5):353-358. doi:10.2165/00023210-200216050-00007

Damian F, Harati M, Schwartzenhauer J, et al.Challenges of dissolution methods development for soft gelatin capsules.Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(2):214. Published 2021 Feb 4. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13020214

Gikonyo D, Gikonyo A, Luvayo D, et al.Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality.Afr Health Sci. 2019;19(3):2737-2739. doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i3.49

Quinzler R, Haefeli WE.Tabletten teilen [Tablet splitting].Ther Umsch. 2006;63(6):441-447. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.63.6.441

Mennella JA, Roberts KM, Mathew PS, et al.Children’s perceptions about medicines: individual differences and taste.BMC Pediatr. 2015;15:130. Published 2015 Sep 21. doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0447-z

Proietti S, Carlomagno G, Dinicola S, et al.Soft gel capsules improve melatonin’s bioavailability in humans.Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2014;10(9):1193-1198. doi:10.1517/17425255.2014.943183

Blaszczyk A, Brandt N, Ashley J, et al.Crushed tablet administration for patients with dysphagia and enteral feeding: challenges and considerations.Drugs Aging. 2023;40(10):895-907. doi:10.1007/s40266-023-01056-y

National Library of Medicine PubMed.Crushing tablets or opening capsules: many uncertainties, some established dangers.Prescrire Int. 2014;23(152):209-214.

Forough AS, Lau ET, Steadman KJ, et al.A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018;12:1337-1346. Published 2018 Jul 26. doi:10.2147/PPA.S164406

Schiele JT, Schneider H, Quinzler R, et al.Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier.Ann Fam Med. 2014;12(6):550-552. doi:10.1370/afm.1693

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