What is a hard capsule?

Hard capsule refers to a certain amount of medicinal material extract plus medicated powder or adjuvants into uniform powder or granules, filled into hollow capsules, or the medicinal powder is directly divided into hollow capsules. In the production of modern traditional Chinese medicine preparations, hard capsules have been widely used in recent years because of their relatively simple technological process, convenient taking, quick onset and effective isolation of bad smells.

Definition
Hard capsules are generally called. Hard capsules (commonly known as capsules) in the Pharmacopoeia refer to capsules that are filled into hollow capsules by using appropriate preparation techniques to prepare medicines or adding appropriate excipients into powders, granules, tablets, pellets, semi-solids or liquids.

Composition
Hard capsules are mainly composed of hollow capsules and contents.
1. Hollow capsule
Gelatin is the main raw material for the preparation of hollow capsules, and appropriate auxiliary materials should be added as needed to ensure its quality. The auxiliary materials are: ①Plasticizers, such as glycerin, can increase the toughness and elasticity of the capsule, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose can increase the viscosity and plasticity of the gelatin; ②Thickeners, such as agar, can increase the coagulation force of the gel; ③ Sunscreen agents, such as 2% to 3% titanium dioxide, can prevent light from oxidizing drugs; ④colorants, such as lemon yellow, carmine, etc., can increase beauty and easy identification; ⑤preservatives, such as parabens, can be Prevent the glue from being mildewed during the preparation of capsules; ⑥ Aromatic correctives, such as 0.1% ethyl vanillin, can adjust the taste of capsules.
2. Content preparation technology
(1) Add the medicine and appropriate auxiliary materials such as diluents, glidants, disintegrants, etc. to make uniform powder, granules or small tablets
(2) Fill ordinary pellets, immediate-release pellets, sustained-release pellets, controlled-release pellets or enteric-coated pellets individually or after mixing. If necessary, add an appropriate amount of blank pellets as fillers.
(3) The medicine powder is not directly filled.
(4) The drug is made into inclusion compounds, solid dispersions, microcapsules or microspheres.
(5) Solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. can also be filled into hollow capsules with a special filling machine, and sealed if necessary.