Earlier I asked what are medicines coated with to make them easier to swallow: the lone answer was sugar. So, going back to my own resources, I found that pills are not sugar coated. I also found that they are enteric coated. I looked up enteric coated and found that means they are coated so that the pill digests in the intestines not the stomach, and the reason for that is to allow the medicine to be absorbed better into the bloodstream without being broken down by stomach acids (which can lead to heartburn, for example) and sugar is definitely broken down in the stomach. I found nothing to suggest easier swallowing, although an enteric coated aspirin (for example) is easier to swallow than a non-coated aspirin, and nothing on what this stuff actually is. Do you know?
2007-12-26 09:18:17 · 4 answers · asked by persaunna 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Not all pills are enteric coated as some are absorbed in the lining of the stomach and others, like enteric coated aspirin, are absorbed in the intestines. Most coatings are from a gelatin based coating or sugar coating. Enteric coatings are made from: A non-toxic edible enteric film coating dry powder composition for use in making an aqueous enteric coating suspension which may be used in coating pharmaceutical tablets and the like comprises an enteric film forming polymer, a detackifier, a viscosity modifier, and an alkalizing/anti-coagulating agent. Advantageously, the inventive dry powder compositions may include a solid plasticizer, a lubricant, an anti-caking agent, a liquid plasticizer, and a pigment.
2007-12-26 09:22:15 · answer #1 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enteric coatings on tablets can be simple like gelatin or more complex like a polymer (polyvinyl acetate is often used). Their goal is to prevent stomach acids and enzymes from destroying the medication. The coating is dissolved off in the intestinal track to release the med.
2007-12-26 09:24:03 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
enteric coating
2016-02-03 05:44:25 · answer #3 · answered by Filberto 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
enteric coating is a combination of a natural wax and a cohesive starch, the process of heating the pill enough to melt the wax and break down the starch is what prevents the medication from being released in the stomach.
2007-12-26 09:22:43 · answer #4 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋