Gelatin capsules, microspheres

Gelatin has long been used as a food ingredient (e.g., gelling and foaming agent), in the preparation of pharmaceutical products (e.g., soft and hard capsule, microspheres), in the... 

C, powder encased in a cellulose capsule ECMS, enteric-coated microspheres encased in a cellulose or gelatin capsule ECMT, enteric-coated microtablets encased in a cellulose capsule UCT, uncoated tablet P, powder. 

Oral pancreatic enzyme supplements are available as powders, uncoated or coated tablets, capsules, enteric-coated spheres and microspheres, or enteric-coated microtablets encased in a cellulose or gelatin capsule (Table 28-2). Microencapsulated enteric-coated products are not superior to recommended doses of conventional non-enteric-coated enzyme preparations. The quantity of active lipase delivered to the duodenum appears to be a more important determinant in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy than the dosage form. GI side effects appear to be dose related but occur less frequently with enteric-coated products. 

Nanoparticles of all descriptions can be used not only as suspensions but also as freeze-dried powders for reconstitution, incorporated into liposomes, as aerosols, in gels and microspheres (e.g., gelatin), adsorbed onto microparticles, dispersed in soft-gelatin capsules [e.g., in polyoxyethylene glycols (PEGs)], or as mini-depot tablets. 

Oral pancreatic enzyme supplements are available as a powder, uncoated or coated tablet, capsule, enteric-coated sphere (ECS) and microsphere (ECMS), or enteric-coated microtablet (ECMT) encased in a cellulose or gelatin capsule (Table 39-8). Recommended dosages of microencapsulated enteric-coated products are not necessarily more effective than recommended dosages of the non-enteric-coated enzyme preparations. This is because a lesser quantity of lipase is usually administered at each meal with the enteric-coated preparations. 

Bhat, S.K., et al., 2013. Preparation, characterization and in-vitro release studies of enteric coated gelatin capsules containing guar gum microspheres for targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil to colon. Der Pharma Chem. 5 (3), 221-231. 

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