Tablets

Definition

Tablets are solid dosage forms of medication that are typically designed to be taken orally. They consist of active pharmaceutical ingredients combined with excipients, which help in the formulation and delivery of the drug. Tablets can be produced in various shapes and sizes, and they are often preferred for their convenience, stability, and precise dosing capabilities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tablets can come in different forms such as immediate-release, controlled-release, or chewable, each serving specific patient needs and medication delivery purposes.
2. The process of tablet manufacturing includes mixing, granulation, compression, and coating, which ensures uniformity and effectiveness in drug delivery.
3. Tablets are typically designed to mask unpleasant tastes of the active ingredients, making them more palatable for patients.
4. Some tablets are coated with enteric coatings that prevent dissolution in the stomach but allow it in the intestine, protecting sensitive ingredients from stomach acid.
5. Dosing accuracy is one of the significant advantages of tablets since each tablet contains a precise amount of active ingredient.

Review Questions

• Discuss how excipients play a role in tablet formulation and why they are essential for effective oral drug delivery.
  • Excipients are crucial components in tablet formulation as they serve multiple roles such as binding agents, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants. They enhance the stability and solubility of the active pharmaceutical ingredient while ensuring consistent dosage during manufacturing. The right choice of excipients can also improve patient compliance by making tablets easier to swallow or masking unpleasant tastes.
• Evaluate the differences between immediate-release and controlled-release tablets and their implications for patient treatment regimens.
  • Immediate-release tablets dissolve quickly after ingestion, providing rapid absorption and onset of action. In contrast, controlled-release tablets are designed to release the active ingredient slowly over time, allowing for a prolonged therapeutic effect and potentially reducing the frequency of dosing. The choice between these types can significantly affect patient adherence to treatment regimens, with controlled-release formulations often improving compliance due to less frequent dosing.
• Analyze the impact of tablet coating technologies on bioavailability and patient experience in oral drug delivery systems.
  • Tablet coating technologies significantly influence both bioavailability and patient experience. Coatings like enteric coatings enhance bioavailability by ensuring that certain medications are released in the intestines rather than the stomach, improving absorption for sensitive drugs. Furthermore, coatings can improve patient experience by masking unpleasant tastes or odors and providing a smoother texture for swallowing. By optimizing these aspects, manufacturers can enhance therapeutic effectiveness while ensuring greater patient compliance.

Related terms

Excipients: Inert substances used in tablet formulations that help to bind the active ingredients, enhance stability, or control the release of the drug.

Bioavailability: The degree and rate at which an active ingredient or active moiety is absorbed and becomes available at the site of action after administration.

Controlled-release: A formulation technique designed to release the active ingredient at a predetermined rate over an extended period of time, improving therapeutic effectiveness.