M1L14 - Coated tablets

Sugar coating

This is a coating which dissolves in water for immediate release, polymer for sealing may be altered to ensure extended or enteric release

Calcium carbonate

This is an excipient used as a sub-coat

Titanium dioxide

This is used with a sucrose coating to achieve a smooth surface on the sub-coat

Talc

This is an excipient used to prevent tablet sticking

Polysaccharide gum

This is used to reduce the brittleness of the sub-coat

Film coating

This refers to the spraying of a polymer liquid onto the tablet to form a coating

Plasticiser

This is an excipient class used to decrease brittleness (polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, pthalate esters)

Colourant

This refers to pigment or dye used to ease identification and improve aesthetics (iron oxide, titanium dioxide derivatives)

Immediate-release coating

This is a coating consisting of a polymer that dissolves readily in water (methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropryl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrollidone, polyvinyl acetate, Eudragit E)

Enteric coating

This is a coating consisting of a polymer that dissolves in pH excess of 5-6 (cellulose acetate pthalate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulosepthalate, polyvinyl acetate pthalate, Eudragit L, Eudragit S)

Sustained release coating

This is a coating consisting of a water-insoluble coating (ethyl cellulose, Eudragit RL, Eudragit RS)

Compression coating

This refers to the compaction of granular material around preformed tablet cores