Encapsulated tablet system: Future Requirements

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Solid oral dosage forms are most acceptable dosage forms especially tablets are most widely accepted by people of different age groups. A multifunctional and multiple unit system for oral use are developed by filling versatile mini tablets in a capsule. It is a multifunctional and multiple unit system for oral use and can be developed by filling versatile tablets in a capsule, for example: Immediate release mini tablets, Rapid-release Mini-Tablets (RMTs), Sustained release Mini-Tablets (SMTs), Pulsatile Mini-Tablets (PMTs), and Delayed-onset Sustained release Mini-Tablets (DSMTs). In this technology we can reduce the size of the tablet such that it could be enclosed in a capsule, and then deployed within one single dosage form. Mini tablets are multiple unit dosage forms and are advantageous than pellets or any other oral dosage forms as they are easy to manufacture, and stability problems are less.



The oral controlled release drug delivery system included two types of dosage forms:

  • Single unit dosage forms (SUDFs) e.g., Tablet, Capsule
  • Multiple unit dosage forms (MUDFs) e.g., Mini tablet, Pellets, granules

In multiple unit dosage forms (MUDFs), multiple unit dosage form contained in capsule or tablet. They are usually filled into a capsule, occasionally compressed into larger tablets, or sometimes placed in sachets for easy administration. Mini tablets in capsule systems exhibited a different release rate than the powder-filled capsules. The compression of powders to minitablets played an important role in reducing the release rate and Mean Dissolution Time (MDT), in comparison to powder filled capsules.

Administration of mini tablets by following method:

  • Compressed mini tablets.
  • Encapsulated mini tablets.
  • Biphasic drug delivery system prepared as mini tablets.

Mini tablet technology aims to deliver a therapeutic agent effectively with minimal swallowing difficulty (especially in pediatrics and geriatrics) and reduced dosing frequency; and therefore, the maximum therapeutic effect will be obtained as well as a minimum of possible adverse effect. Additionally, a controlled drug delivery system can be developed using mini-tablets systems for the selective and effective treatment of chronic disease. Different dosages and sizes of Mini tablets are generally manufactured easily utilizing rotary tablet press machines with various punches. The usage of multiple punches is advantageous as it shorten the filling time and thus reducing the possibility of powder segregation.

Out of three, encapsulated coated mini tablets offer versatile applications. 

Encapsulated coated mini tablets systems:

Among all the possible formulations, encapsulated coated mini tablets are widely used as it improves drug tolerance and yields a dose regimen which is easier to manage for patients. It has proven challenging to develop one dosage form with sustained and immediate-release properties. A multifunctional and multiple unit system, which contains versatile mini-tablets in a hard gelatin or HPMC capsule, can be developed by preparing Rapid-release Mini-Tablets (RMTs), Sustained-release Mini-Tablets (SMTs), Pulsatile Mini Tablets (PMTs), and Delayed-onset Sustained-release Mini-Tablets (DSMTs), each with various lag times of release. Based on the combinations of mini tablets, multiplied pulsatile drug delivery system (DDS), site-specific DDS, slow/quick DDS, quick/slow DDS, and zero order DDS could be obtained. 

Inclusion of Rapid-release Mini-Tablets (RMTs) permits the development of rapid-acting encapsulated dosage forms with optimal pharmacokinetic profiles for fast action. The size of the tablet can be reduced such that it could be enclosed in a capsule, then deploy tablets with different release properties within one capsule. 

Several mini-tablets can be placed into each capsule, which later disintegrates and releases these subunits because tablets with different combination of drugs, dose and drug-release profiles are included. 

Several efforts have been made to improve the patient compliance by formulating once-a-day dosage form. Encapsulated tablet system can simplify the therapy and reduce or eliminate the chances of improper administration. It is a relatively straightforward and can be utilized to meet several formulation and manufacturing challenges.

Advantage of encapsulation:

  • Increased the bioavailability.
  • Making simple and potent formulation of low therapeutic dosage regimen
  • Enhancement of patient compliance, which requires lifetime therapy.
  • Reduced inter and intra subject variation.
  • Minimized local gastric irritation.
  • Enhance the self-life.
  • Helps in controlled, sustained timed release.
  • Improved safety and efficacy, etc

Disadvantages of encapsulation:

  • Requires skill.
  • Difficult to obtain continuous and uniform film.

Applications of encapsulation:



Conclusion:

Compared to single unit dosage forms, mini tablets are good alternative to granules and pellets. However, production parameters must be carefully assessed to ensure a good flow, correct, and complete filling of the die and damage to the equipment. They can be made into tablets, or they can be filled with capsules which is advantageous both in terms of ease of production and cost. Encapsulation is an important approach to meet all demands by delivering bioactive food components at the right time and right place. They increase patient compliance by allowing coexistence of drugs with each other and by combining drugs with different release kinetics. They are suitable for most of drug molecule. Especially in geriatric and pediatric patient groups, there is a very high potential for achieving success in treatment. This type of drug delivery has been at the centre of research due to its many benefits over conventional dosage.

Query:

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About the Author:

Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, M.Sc. (Gold Medalist), Ph.D. is the author and founder of “Pharma Solutions by Dr. Ajay”.

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Examples used in this article are not meant to be endorsements of any product or technology from the author.


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