Tablets are one of the most common forms of medication in modern healthcare. They are solid, compressed doses of medicine designed for easy consumption, storage, and precise dosing. Thanks to their variety and flexibility, tablets can be tailored to meet different patient needs, offering multiple benefits from controlled drug release to taste masking. In this article, we'll explore the main types of tablets used in pharmacy, their classification, manufacturing, uses, and more.
What Are the Main Types of Tablets in Pharmacy?
Tablets come in different forms depending on how they are made, how they release the drug, and how they are meant to be taken. Here's a quick overview:
Explaining the Main Types of Tablets
Immediate-release tablets
These tablets are formulated to dissolve rapidly in the stomach after ingestion, releasing the active ingredient without any delay. They are ideal for conditions that require quick relief, such as headaches or fever. These are the most widely used and easiest to manufacture.
Enteric-coated tablets
These tablets have a special coating that resists the acidic environment of the stomach and only dissolves in the alkaline conditions of the intestines. This makes them suitable for drugs that could irritate the stomach lining or be degraded by stomach acid. Enteric coatings ensure targeted delivery and improved patient comfort.
Film-coated tablets
These tablets are coated with a thin layer of polymer that provides a number of benefits—taste masking, improved stability, and better appearance. The coating helps protect the active ingredient from environmental moisture and air, extending shelf life and improving patient compliance.
Chewable tablets
Designed to be chewed before swallowing, these tablets are particularly beneficial for children and elderly patients who have difficulty swallowing whole tablets. They often have a pleasant taste and are commonly used for supplements like calcium or antacids.
Effervescent tablets
These are intended to be dissolved in a glass of water before being ingested. They contain ingredients that react with water to release carbon dioxide, producing a fizzing action. This enhances the speed of absorption and makes the medicine easier to take, especially for those with swallowing difficulties.
Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT)
These tablets disintegrate quickly in the mouth, often within seconds, without the need for water. They are highly beneficial for pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as for travel or emergency situations. The formulation requires advanced technology to ensure rapid disintegration while maintaining stability.
Sublingual tablets
These are placed under the tongue, where they dissolve and allow the drug to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucosal tissues. This route bypasses the digestive system, offering a rapid onset of action. They are commonly used for cardiovascular drugs, such as nitroglycerin, for treating chest pain.
Layered or multi-compressed tablets
These complex tablets are made by compressing different layers of materials, often containing separate drugs or different release profiles. One layer may dissolve quickly for immediate relief, while another releases slowly for extended effect. This design is used for combination therapies and time-controlled drug delivery.
Full Classification of Tablets in Pharmacy
1.By Manufacturing Method
- Compressed tablets (standard method)
- Molded tablets (softer, for rapid dissolution)
2.By Release Profile
- Immediate-release
- Sustained-release
- Controlled-release
- Delayed-release (enteric-coated)
3.By Coating
- Uncoated
- Sugar-coated
- Film-coated
- Enteric-coated
4.By Administration Route
- Swallowed orally
- Buccal or sublingual
- Vaginal or rectal
5.By Function or Formulation
- Chewable
- Effervescent
- Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs)
- Dispersible or soluble
- Layered or multi-compressed
Tablet Uses and Common Examples
Tablet Manufacturing Overview
Tablets are made by combining the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with excipients such as binders, disintegrants, lubricants, and fillers. The manufacturing method depends on the formulation:
- Direct compression is fast and efficient.
- Wet granulation is used when APIs need binding.
- Dry granulation is for moisture-sensitive drugs.
- Molding is often used for quick-dissolve tablets.
LTPM CHINA provides a full range of equipment for these processes:
Related Questions and Answers
- What’s the difference between tablets and pills?
Pills are an older term and may refer to any solid oral dosage form. Tablets are a specific, compressed form. - Why are some tablets coated?
Coatings improve taste, protect the drug, or control where it dissolves in the body. - What are ODTs best for?
Great for patients who can’t swallow, need fast relief, or take medicine without water. - What are layered tablets used for?
To combine different drugs or create time-controlled release. - How does sustained-release work?
These tablets release the drug slowly over time to maintain a steady level in the bloodstream.
Understanding tablet types is crucial in the pharmaceutical world. Each type serves a different purpose, from fast action to long-term control. By knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each tablet type, manufacturers and buyers can choose the best option for their needs.
Looking to start or upgrade your tablet production? LTPM CHINA offers customized turnkey solutions, a five-year warranty, and expert support. Contact us today for a free consultation or get a trial machine quote!