ABOUT THE CAPSULE

Capsule University asked? As we all know, capsule is a kind of pharmaceutical dosage form, which is widely used. For example, amoxicillin capsule, Qingkailing soft capsule, etc. In fact, the capsule is the carrier of drugs. The capsule is mainly divided into hard capsule and soft capsule (capsule). Some special drugs use special materials to make sustained-release capsule, controlled-release capsule and enteric coated capsule in order to achieve the effect of regular and targeted release. Here's a digression: you can't eat the capsule at will, especially slow-release and controlled-release capsules and enteric coated capsules.

1. Hard capsule

Hard capsule is what we usually say. At present, there are two kinds of hard capsules: gelatin capsule and plant capsule. As the name suggests, the main material of gelatin capsule is gelatin, and the main material of plant capsule is plant cellulose or water-soluble polysaccharide. According to the requirements of the Pharmacopoeia, the hard capsule should disintegrate and completely break within 30 minutes;

2. Soft capsule

The main material of soft capsules is gelatin, and the contents are generally liquid or semi-solid. The Pharmacopoeia requires that the soft capsule should disintegrate within 60 minutes; In particular, some oily drugs are especially suitable for making soft capsules, our most common vitamin E capsules;

3. Enteric coated capsule

Enteric coated capsules shall not disintegrate in the stomach and disintegrate within 1 hour after entering the intestine to allow the drug to be absorbed in the small intestine; That is, it only disintegrates in the intestinal environment. For example, aspirin enteric coated capsule is positioned to the intestinal tract (alkaline environment) for absorption in order to reduce the stimulation of aspirin to the stomach (acidic environment). It needs to remain intact before reaching the intestinal tract;

4. Slow and controlled release capsule

Sustained release capsules require continuous release of drugs for a period of time after administration to achieve long-term effect; Controlled release capsules require drugs to be released at a predetermined rate within a predetermined time to maintain a stable effective concentration of drugs in blood; Generally, drugs with short half-life are often made into this kind of dosage form; The capsule needs to release drugs gradually or regularly according to the drug design time, so the capsule needs to maintain a certain shape within a certain time, which varies according to different drug needs. For example, high blood drug concentration in some drug objects will have toxic reactions, so they are made into controlled-release preparations to maintain the drug concentration at a certain level, that is, to achieve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity. This is also the reason why it is indicated in the manual of slow and controlled release capsule [precautions] that it cannot be broken and swallowed as a whole. If the capsule shell is lost, the drug will be released suddenly or the release site will change, which will not only fail to achieve the efficacy, but also bring risks!

Therefore, how long the capsule will dissolve depends on the type of preparation of the capsule, which can not be generalized.

Finally, out of professional habits, I would like to say a few more words.

That is: for the capsule preparation, do not throw away the capsule shell blindly and eat the powder directly without the special instructions of the doctor, which may affect the drug efficacy and seriously endanger your health. In addition, in general, do not swallow the capsule dry when taking it. Dry swallowing is likely to make the capsule stick to the esophagus and cause drug-induced esophagitis. The correct way to take the capsule is: take a cup of about 100-200 ml water with moderate temperature. The patient takes a standing or sitting posture. First drink a mouthful of water to moisten the throat and esophagus, then put the capsule in the mouth, and then drink a mouthful of water. Swallow the capsule together with the water. Don't bow your head or look up too much, and then drink the remaining water to ensure that the capsule is washed into the stomach.

Do you remember?