Uses of gelatin capsules

1. Uses in the medical field
(1) As a packaging container for drugs
The most common use of gelatin capsules in the medical field is as a packaging container for drugs, such as making hard capsules or soft capsules. Hard capsules are made by filling drug powder or granules into a capsule shell made of gelatin; soft capsules are made by directly encapsulating the drug in gelatin using the drip method, steel mold method or rotational mold method. This method is suitable for encapsulating oily or liquid drugs. The drugs encapsulated in gelatin capsules are generally single-dose dosage forms for oral administration. After the capsule enters the gastric juice, it will expand and accelerate the release of the drug in its contents, making it easier to take the drug.

(2) Used for microencapsulation of drugs
Gelatin is also used for microencapsulation of drugs, which is to encapsulate the active drug in a microcapsule or sac, and then treat it as a powder. For example, the earliest microencapsulated drugs such as fish oil and oily vitamins were encapsulated in a small gelatin capsule prepared by an emulsification process.

2. Improve the medication experience
Hollow gelatin capsules can block the smell of the medicine and improve the taste of the medicine, providing an effective way to solve the problem of difficult-to-take medicine. Especially for those medicines with strong odor or bitter taste, the capsule packaging can make it easier for patients to accept the medicine. At the same time, capsules are relatively easy to swallow, so they are more popular with consumers.

3. Application in the field of health care products
In the health care product industry, gelatin capsules are also a common dosage form. Many health care products will choose to use gelatin capsules for packaging due to appearance, taste or convenience of storage, so that consumers can swallow and carry them for storage. For example, some fish oil, grape seed extract and other types of health care products are often sold in the form of gelatin capsules. Wrapping these active ingredients in gelatin capsules can prevent contact with the external environment, maintain their stability and activity, and thus ensure the efficacy of health care products during storage and use.