Gelatin capsules are small shells made from gelatin that are used to enclose various medications and supplements. Capsules can make it easier to take certain drugs and supplements, especially those in a powder or liquid form. The gelatin is almost odorless and tasteless and typically does not cause digestive problems for most people. Gelatin also typically does not interact poorly with other drugs.
Substances such as fish oil can be difficult to ingest. Putting them in a neutral-tasting gelatin capsule makes them easy for some people to swallow. Similarly, certain spices used as supplements, such as cayenne pepper and cinnamon, can be easier to consume in capsule form. The gelatin administers the substance by dissolving in the stomach acids and releasing the contents of the capsule.
Most gelatin capsules come in one piece or two pieces. Single capsules are used to encapsulate many commercial drugs. Empty, two-piece capsules can be purchased by consumers and filled with any combination of supplements, such as vitamins, minerals and powdered nutrients. This is often cheaper than buying pre-filled capsules and allows the consumer to customize the pills to his or her personal needs.
Another possible advantage of gelatin capsules is their uniform dosage. Commercial drug capsules are usually filled by machine and generally have the most accurate dosage. There are devices available through some retailers that allow the consumer to fill gelatin capsules at home. They can be useful if a large number of capsules must be filled on a regular basis, or if the contents contain finely ground powders.
Gelatin is usually derived from the bones of cows or pigs. It can also be made from other animals such as fish. This can make gelatin capsules unsuitable for vegetarians and people who avoid consuming certain animals for religious reasons. Some people are also allergic to animal gelatin. There have also been concerns that gelatin derived from cows can be infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and carry a disease risk.
Vegetarian forms of gelatin capsules exist, including empty two-piece capsules. Most vegetarian capsules are made from a type of cellulose, though other sources, such as the edible polymer called pullulan, can be used. They are often more expensive than gelatin capsules and can be harder to find. Gelatin was traditionally the preferred form of capsule, because vegetarian capsules tended to be softer and had a shorter shelf life. Improvements in manufacturing have made vegetarian capsules comparable to gelatin capsules.
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kylee07drg
Post 4 |
I love gelatin capsules. I have to take several kinds of medication regularly, and I hate the taste of regular pills. The bitterness lingers on my tongue long after I have swallowed them, even if I gulp them down quickly. It makes me a little sick at my stomach, and I have to go eat a cracker or something to get the taste out so I don’t vomit.
Several of my medicines are in gelatin capsule form. My blood pressure medication is inside a big, turquoise capsule that is easy to swallow regardless of its size.
One reason is because it is so smooth. It glides down my throat like butter, whereas bare pills tend to stick to my tongue and the roof of my mouth. Capsules don’t fight me going down. |
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burcidi
Post 3 |
@anamur-- Yea, you can't break up uniform gel capsules because the capsule is made around the medication. But there are also two piece gel capsules that are inserted into each other and the medication is in powder form inside.
You can actually take this capsule apart and remove some of the powder medication. It won't be precise and you might end up getting different doses that way, so it might not be desirable. But if a medication is only made in a two piece gel form, it's a way to lower the dose.
What I'm wondering is if the gelatin capsules are a problem for people with certain dietary restrictions. As far as I know, gelatin is made from animal fat, and a lot of times pig fat. Some religions don't allow the consumption of meat or pig. But I've never seen any information on labels about what the gelatin capsules are made from. |
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anamur
Post 2 |
@fify-- I agree with you about supplements in gel capsules. But I don't like medication in gel capsules because it's not possible to break it and take it in smaller doses.
I am really sensitive to medication. If I take the full dose, I experience so many side effects. That's why I usually take less than the recommendation and break the medication into halves, or even quarters if necessary. This is possible and really easy with tablets, they even have a line in the middle to make breaking easy.
But with gelatin capsules, there is no way of breaking it apart, so I have to take the full dose. It's not so much a problem when it's vitamins, but definitely a problem for medication. |
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fify
Post 1 |
I think gelatin capsules have a lot of advantages. I like buying vitamins and supplements in gelatin form because I agree that it's much easier to swallow and consume. Some gelatin capsules are actually very large, but they are also soft, so it's easier to wash down than tablets.
I do take fish oil capsules as an Omega 3 supplement and I would not be able to take it if it were not in gelatin form. These don't smell like anything even when they are kept out. I keep them in the fridge which I think maintains freshness longer.
I remember before these gelatin capsules came out, the only way to take fish oil was in liquid form which made me sick even before putting it in my mouth. So I'm really grateful about gelatin capsules, they've definitely made taking supplements much easier.
I think gelatin capsules also melt very quickly in the stomach and the medicine enters the bloodstream faster doesn't it? I certainly feel that way when I take gel pain relievers. My headache goes away much faster with these than they do with tablet pain relievers. |
