Soft Gel Capsules: Improve your awareness in the market
In today's pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets, packaging and finished dosage forms play a vital role for the positive perception and awareness of your products. Soft gel capsules have gained in popularity over the last several years due to their unique advantages which make this dosage format first choice for consumers.
Softgel capsules are widely used in cosmetics, nutraceutical, and prescription (Rx) and OTC pharmaceutical products. Even paintballs are formed on Softgel machines. Soft gelatin capsules (softgels) have several advantages compared to tablets and two-piece hard gelatin capsules. They are easy to swallow and have ability to mask odors/unpleasant taste. They also have an elegant appearance, readily dissolve in the gastric juices of the digestive tract and enhance the bioavailability of the active ingredient.
Softgel capsules are widely used in cosmetics, nutraceutical, and prescription (Rx) and OTC pharmaceutical products. Even paintballs are formed on Softgel machines. Soft gelatin capsules (softgels) have several advantages compared to tablets and two-piece hard gelatin capsules. They are easy to swallow and have ability to mask odors/unpleasant taste. They also have an elegant appearance, readily dissolve in the gastric juices of the digestive tract and enhance the bioavailability of the active ingredient.
In a recent clinical trial, the dietary supplement Glucosol formulated in a soft gel capsule, showed a 30 percent decrease in blood glucose levels compared to a 20 percent drop seen with dry-powder filled two-piece hard gelatin capsule formulation, suggesting that soft gel formulation of Glucosol improved its bioavailability (W.Judy, Hari, Stogsdill, J.Juddy, Naguib and Passwater, 2003). According to a consumer behavior research conducted by Reisenwitz and Wimbish (1996) among solid oral dosages of capsules, caplets and tablets, gelatin capsules were perceived as the most effective, highest quality and least tamper resistant dosage form. In another recent survey of 3700 people the following results were tabulated (Shulman, 2004)
Properties |
Tablet Preference |
Gelatin Capsule Preference |
| Visual Preference | 32% | 61% |
| Swallowing Preference | 33% | 53% |
Softgel capsules increase consumer awareness and positive perception of your products in the markets because they
Furthermore, when used to deliver drug products, hydrophilic softgels shorten the time to attain peak plasma concentration and offer greater peak plasma concentration compared to equivalent tablet formulations. They can also significantly improve the bio-availability of hydrophobic drugs and are useful in delivering cytotoxic drugs (Koon, 2006).
References:
1. Koon, Robin C., "How Softgels are made and How to Select a Manufacturer", Tablets & Capsules, May 2006, p 42-46
2. Reisenwitz T.H. and Wimbish G.J., "Over-the-Counter Pharmaceuticals: Exploratory Research of Consumer Preference Toward Solid Oral Dosage Forms", Health Marketing Quarterly, Vol.13 No.4, 1996
3. Shulman Victor, "Encapsulating for Pharmaceutical Operators", Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Notes, February 2004
4. William V.Judy, Siva P. Hari, W.W. Stogsdill, Janet S. Judy, Yousry M.A. Niaguib and Richard Passwater, "Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (GlucosolTM) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics A dose-dependence study", Journal of Ethnopharmacolog, 87, 2003 p.115-117
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| Copyright © 2006 Pharmaland Technoligy 
Honson Pharmatech Group
| Copyright © 2006 Pharmaland Technoligy