Tablet coating basics

A tablet coating coating can have several functions. It can strengthen the tablet, control its release, improve its taste, color it, make it easier to handle and package and protect it from moisture. In this white paper, DI PharmaTech reviews the basics of tablet coating and describes common tablet coating defects. DI PharmaTech focuses its discussion on film coating, the principle means of applying a coating to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets.

Film coatings are a mixture of solids and liquids. For many years, the liquid component of coatings was a volatile solvent, such as alcohol or other quick-drying substances like methylene chloride. While solvent-based coatings performed well in many respects, they presented problems in handling, operator safety, recovery and odor. DI PharmaTech shows how to overcome the challenges of tablet coating.

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