Pharmaceutical tablet coating plays a crucial role in enhancing patient compliance and improving the overall experience of taking medication. There have been continuous developments, and new technologies have been introduced in film coating that cater to niche needs and comply with customer and industry requirements.
While working in the tablet coating manufacturing industry, we’ve witnessed several remarkable advancements. Some advances in tablet coating materials were truly impressive. In this blog, we’ve highlighted a few of them.
Recent Advances in Tablet Coating Technologies You Shouldn’t Miss:
- High Solids Aqueous Coating: The growing adoption of tablet coating systems, especially high-output batch coaters and continuous coating processes, has advanced significantly over the past two decades. To complement the output of these rapid coating equipment technologies, advancements have been made in film coating formulations for tablets.
High-solids coating systems can form a low-viscosity, sprayable coating suspension (25 to 30% Solids Capability) that leads to shorter process times and less exposure to harsh processing conditions.
- Natural Enteric Coating: For nutraceuticals, enteric polymers such as Methacrylates, CAP, and HPCMP are regularly used; however, their use is restricted. Consequently, many natural polymers have been explored and have demonstrated satisfactory results. Sodium Alginate-based coating are considered a good option for such applications.
- Flavoured/ Cool Effect Coating: These innovative coating solutions for tablets help mask unpleasant tastes, making medicines more palatable, especially for pediatric and geriatric patients. Various flavours are used along with the regular ingredients for a good mouth feel. There are also cooling agents that can be incorporated into the coating solution for a cool mouthfeel.
- Smooth Swallowing Coating: Smooth-swallowing coating solutions for tablets are designed to reduce friction and make tablets easier to swallow. This significantly improves adherence to medication regimens. Ingredients like maltodextrin, starch, fine grade PEGs, PVA, along with coconut oils and glycerin give a very smooth, easy swallow finish. Moreover, even more cost-effective tablet coating solutions are now being developed.
- Sugar-Free Coating: Alternatives, such as isomalt-based coating, provide a sugar-free option while maintaining a smooth finish and reducing processing time.
- Pearlescent Coating: These tablet coating materials enhance the visual appeal of tablets, making them more attractive and recognizable. Mica-based pigments help to achieve a brilliant, glossy pearlescent coating finish.
- Odour-Masking Coating: As the name suggests, these pharmaceutical tablet coating are used to mask strong or unpleasant odours from pharmaceutical ingredients, improving patient acceptance. Ingredients such as methacrylates and sodium alginates play a key role in the process.
- High-solids coating systems: High-solid coating can create a low-viscosity, sprayable suspension with 20–40% solids. This means faster runs with less stress on the tablets. Novomix TEZZ is the world’s first aqueous coating system to hit a true 40% solids level. This recently launched coating has set a new benchmark for what “efficient coating” should look like.
Role of Novo Excipients in Recent Coating Advances:
NovoExcipients, a tablet coating manufacturer in India, continually develops new coating technologies in response to customer and industry needs. All the above coatings are constantly being sampled by the NovoExcipients team.
Conclusion:
The future of tablet coating lies in precision, sustainability, and a patient-centric approach. The pharmaceutical manufacturing market is poised to evolve further, offering pharmaceutical solutions and products that enhance product quality and improve the patient experience.
Looking for ways to incorporate these coating advances in your tablet manufacturing process? Contact the Novo team today.