What’s the Difference Between Capsules and Tablets?

A pharmacist explains.

Medically reviewed by Lindsay Cook, PharmD

Capsules and tablets are used to deliver medications by mouth. After they're swallowed, the medicines travel to the stomach or small intestine, where they either act locally or are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Capsules and tablets are commonly used because they're convenient, safe, and effective.

The following article covers the differences between capsules and tablets and a few things to consider.

Capsule vs. Tablet

Though similar, there are some essential distinctions between capsules and tablets.

Some notable differences include the following:

• Capsules usually don't have a taste; however, uncoated tablets taste bitter.

• Capsules are easier to swallow than tablets.

• Capsules have shells and typically contain fewer excipients (ingredients besides the active medicine) than tablets.

Some products are available as both tablets and capsules. The choice of these medicines may come down to cost, taste, and ease of swallowing.

If you have a choice between products, read the ingredient list for allergies or hypersensitivity issues. Some excipients used in capsules or tablets can cause allergic reactions. For instance, there are reports of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) caused by capsules containing gelatin and tablets containing povidone (a lab-made polymer that dissolves in water).

Capsules

Many people prefer capsules to tablets.

Types of capsules include the following:

• Hard-shell capsules, which hold dry or powdered medicine

• Soft-shell capsules (also called liquid gels or gel caps), which typically hold oily medicines

• Sprinkle capsules, which can be opened and sprinkled on foods

• Delayed-release capsules, formulated to dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach
  

What's in Capsules?

Excipients are ingredients besides the active drug that helps hold the medicine together, keep it stable, and mask its taste. Excipients make up as much as 90% of the product.

Soft capsule shells are made from either gelatin (an animal product) or a polymer like hypromellose. Vegetarians and people with certain religious beliefs may bypass gelatin capsules in favor of vegetarian ones.

Excipients used in capsules can vary depending on the product. They may include the following:

• Surfactants that help the medicine dissolve

• Plasticizers like polyethylene glycol or glycerol, which make capsules strong and flexible

• Gelling substances like polysaccharides, which give capsules a smooth surface

• Fillers like lactose which give the capsule bulk
  

When Are Capsules Taken?

Capsules can deliver medicines that are solids, semisolids, or liquids.

Capsules are used to deliver medicines that do not dissolve well in water.

They're ideal for potent medicines when a low and precise dose is necessary.

In at least some cases, capsules are more bioavailable than tablets. This means that they deliver medicine to the bloodstream better.

Capsules are preferred over tablets for people with problems absorbing drugs and for those taking medicines like proton pump inhibitors, calcium, or iron.

What Do Capsules Look Like?

Capsules are available with either hard or soft shells (softgel capsules).

Hard capsules are shaped like cylinders, while softgels can be oval or oblong.

Pros and Cons of Capsules

There are pros and cons to taking any dosage form.

Advantages of capsules include the following:

• Easy to swallow.

• Quick absorption. This means the medicine reaches maximum concentrations in the body faster than other dosage forms.

• Generally flavorless taste. Keep in mind that some things, like fish oil, will always have a taste, even when formulated as a capsule.

• Low expense. Capsules and tablets are less expensive than other dosage forms, but it can be a toss-up as to which is the least expensive. Some medications are less expensive in capsule form, while others are less expensive as tablets.

• Some (but not all) capsules can be opened and combined with food or drinks. Note that time-release formulations shouldn't be opened in general because this can disrupt how they work in the body.

• Delivery options. Capsules can be formulated as immediate-release (dissolving within three minutes), delayed-release (dissolving in the intestines rather than the stomach), or extended-release (once-a-day dosing, wherein medicine is released slowly over time).

• Effective for gastrointestinal absorption disorders.

Disadvantages of capsules include the following:

• Variable shelf life (how long the medicine is stable). If they're not stored under optimal conditions, the shelf life of capsules can decrease significantly.

• Durability. Temperature, humidity, and light all affect capsule stability.

• Use of animal products in gelatin shells.

• Can't evenly split doses.

Tablets

Tablets are the most common oral dosage form because they are convenient, easy to take, and remain stable for a long time.

Types of tablets include the following:

• Scored tablets, marked for separation into two or more pieces of equal sizes

• Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), which dissolve on the tongue and don't have to be swallowed

• Chewable tablets

• Mini-tablets, ideal for pediatric or older patients because of their small size and ease of swallowing

• Enteric-coated tablets, designed to withstand the stomach's acidity or deliver a drug to the colon

• Effervescent tablets, which release medicine as they're dissolved in water

What's in Tablets?

Common excipients used in tablets include the following:

• Fillers like starch, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. These make the tablet size bigger.

• Binders like hydroxypropyl cellulose or polyvinylpyrrolidone, which help tablets hold together

• Flavoring agents to mask taste

• Disintegrants to help the tablets dissolve

• Glidants and lubricants to increase tablet strength

Note that chewable tablets often contain gelatin.

When Are Tablets Taken?

Tablets that can be split allow for changes in dose without needing a new prescription. This can be a cost saver.

Tablets that dissolve in the mouth are ideal for people with difficulty swallowing.

Some tablets, like the antibiotic azithromycin, are more effective than capsules when taken with food.

What Do Tablets Look Like?

Tablets can be round, square, or oval-shaped. They come in many different sizes and colors.

Often, but not always, tablets are imprinted with letters or numbers to distinguish them from other medicines.

They may be scored (with a dividing line) or unscored.

Pros and Cons of Tablets

The advantages of tablets include the following:

• Low expense. Capsules and tablets are less expensive than other dosage forms.

• Long shelf life. In general, tablets are safe to take for a long time, even after the package is opened. Though discarding the tablets after the manufacturer's expiration date is advisable, they are likely to be stable even after this point if they're stored properly. Shelf life can be extended by using coated or chewable tablets.

• Special formulations like chewable tablets, mini-tablets, and ODTs make tablets easier for children and people with trouble swallowing.

• Scored tablets can be split. This allows bigger pills to be swallowed more easily. It is also handy if you need a dose that's not commercially available.

The disadvantages of tablets include the following:

• Taste. Many tablets have a bitter taste, though they are less bitter than unsweetened liquid medications. Herbal supplements and minerals may taste metallic, and garlic tablets taste pungent. Chewable tablets can help mask the taste of medicine.

• Difficult to swallow, depending on size.

Is It Safe to Crush Tablets or Open Capsules?

Sometimes, but not always.

Crushing tablets or opening capsules changes the way they are absorbed in the body. You may end up getting too much or too little of the medicine.

For instance, crushing or opening a sustained-release product can result in an overdose. Altering an enteric-coated product designed to bypass the stomach can cause the medicine to be less effective.

If you have dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or use a feeding tube to deliver medicines, discuss your needs with one of the following healthcare professionals:

• Healthcare provider

• Pharmacist

• Speech-language pathologist

• Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN or RD)

They can ensure you are getting formulations that are safe and effective for you.

What Makes It Easier to Swallow Medications?

If you have trouble swallowing medications, ask your healthcare provider if mixing your pills in food or drinks is safe.

Consider an ODT tablet if it's available. These dissolve in the mouth, so you don't have to swallow. Chewable tablets are also easier to swallow.

For some people, taking liquid medications may be easier than swallowing solids like tablets or capsules. If your medicine isn't available in liquid form, a compounding pharmacy may be able to tailor-make one for you with a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Finally, proven techniques to help make swallowing solid medications easier include:

• The lean-forward technique for capsules. Swallow the capsule with a small sip of water with your head bent forward and your chin facing your chest.

• The pop-bottle method for tablets. Squeeze water from a disposable water bottle into your mouth to help flush the tablet.

Note that these postural techniques are not recommended for people with dysphagia (trouble swallowing). This is because they can cause aspiration (fluids entering the airway).

Summary

Capsules and tablets are popular ways to deliver medicine by mouth to your gastrointestinal tract or body.

There are some differences to remember if the medicine you take is available in both forms.

Capsules are easier to swallow, generally tasteless, and quickly absorbed. On the other hand, they are more susceptible to moisture, temperature, and light than tablets are.

Tablets are inexpensive, stable for long periods, and usually able to be split for dose adjustments. Drawbacks include bitter taste and being harder to swallow.

Discuss your specific questions and concerns with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to optimize your therapy.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.