A review on recent advances in enteric coating and enteric polymers

| Posted in: Science

Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: A review on recent advances in enteric coating and enteric polymers
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Original source:

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Author:

P. Mounica, S. Pavani and P. Mounica Rani


World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:

(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)

Full text available for: A review on recent advances in enteric coating and enteric polymers

Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research

Doi: 10.20959/wjpr20182-10795


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Enteric coating refers to a protective layer applied to oral medications, such as tablets and capsules, that allows for the controlled release of the drug in the intestinal tract rather than the stomach. This coating is particularly beneficial for drugs that can irritate the stomach lining or that need to be absorbed in a more alkaline environment. Enteric coatings typically remain intact in the highly acidic gastric juices (pH 1-4) and only dissolve when they reach the more neutral pH of the small intestine (approximately pH 5.5). The review article discusses the advancements in enteric coating technologies and the various polymers used in the coating processes.

Importance of Enteric Coating

One of the primary reasons for utilizing enteric coating is to protect both the stomach from the effects of the drugs and the drugs from the acidic environment of the stomach. Some medications, like aspirin and omeprazole, can cause irritation when they interact with gastric mucosa. To mitigate these effects, enteric coatings ensure that these drugs do not release their active ingredients until they reach the intestines, where their therapeutic effects can be maximized without causing undue discomfort. This controlled release mechanism is especially critical for medications intended for local action in the intestines, such as certain treatments for Crohn’s disease.

Composition and Types of Enteric Coatings

Enteric coatings are formed from a composition that typically includes a resin, polymer, plasticizer, and other additives, such as colorants and preservatives. Commonly used polymers in enteric coating formulations include cellulose acetate phthalate and polyvinyl acetate phthalate, which dissolve under specific pH conditions conducive to intestinal absorption. A variety of dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, and granules, can be coated using these materials. The choice of polymer and the thickness of the coating layer are crucial for effective control of the drug's solubility and release profile.

Coating Challenges and Defects

Despite the benefits, there are challenges associated with the enteric coating process that can lead to defects. These can include issues such as blistering, chipping, cracking, and color variation. Each defect comes with specific causes and suggested remedies, emphasizing the importance of temperature control, proper formulation, and the right choice of materials during the coating process. Addressing these challenges effectively contributes to the overall quality and efficacy of the coated tablet or capsule, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enteric coatings represent an essential advancement in pharmaceutical formulations that enhance drug delivery and effectiveness while minimizing side effects. The continuous research and development in coating technologies and materials show promise for future innovations in this field. With careful selection of polymers and consideration of the coating process, manufacturers can optimize enteric-coated drugs for better gastrointestinal health outcomes. The growing interest in enteric coating technologies highlights their critical role in modern pharmaceuticals and the need for ongoing exploration and improvement in this area.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the purpose of enteric coating in pharmaceuticals?

Enteric coating prevents drug release in the stomach, allowing it to dissolve in the small intestine. This is particularly useful for drugs that may cause stomach irritation or require absorption in the intestines.

What types of polymers are commonly used for enteric coating?

Common polymers include cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, and methacrylic acid. These polymers resist gastric fluids and dissolve in the higher pH of intestinal fluids.

What are the advantages of enteric-coated tablets?

Enteric-coated tablets provide taste and odor masking, protect drugs from stomach acid, and minimize gastric irritation. They also ensure targeted drug release in the intestine.

What are some disadvantages of enteric coating?

Disadvantages include longer coating times, higher production costs, and the need for skilled technicians to handle the process properly.

How does enteric coating improve drug absorption?

By allowing drugs to bypass the acidic environment of the stomach, enteric coating enhances the stability and absorption of sensitive medications in the more neutral pH of the small intestine.

What are some common defects in tablet coatings?

Common defects include blistering, chipping, cracking, and color variation. These issues can arise from inadequate material handling, improper drying conditions, or unsuitable coating solutions.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “A review on recent advances in enteric coating and enteric polymers”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Drug:
Drugs are compounds used for medical purposes, including treatment and prevention of illnesses. The review discusses how enteric coating can improve the effectiveness of various drugs, especially those that are sensitive to stomach acids, ensuring they release in the intestinal tract for optimized absorption.

2) Surface:
Surfaces refers to multiple outer layers of tablets or capsules. The coating process must ensure that the surfaces of the dosage forms are evenly coated to prevent issues such as mottle or variation, ensuring consistent and reliable drug release upon ingestion.

3) Water:
Water plays a critical role in the dissolution and application of enteric coating materials. Many polymers used for enteric coatings are water-soluble, enhancing their functionality. The interaction between coating agents and water impacts the stability and release mechanisms of coated medications.

4) Reason:
Reason indicates the underlying rationale for using enteric coatings, which is to protect sensitive drugs from the gastric environment and optimize their release in the small intestine. These protective measures help to alleviate stomach irritation and improve drug efficacy.

5) Irritation:
Irritation refers to the discomfort caused by certain medications when exposed to gastric mucosa. Enteric coating is employed to mitigate such irritation, especially with drugs like aspirin and omeprazole, allowing these drugs to reach their effective site of action in the intestines.

6) Disease:
Disease refers to an abnormal condition affecting bodily functions. The journal article discusses illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and arthritis, highlighting how enteric-coated medications can deliver treatment effectively to the intestines, thus improving patient outcomes.

7) Gelatin:
Gelatin is a key ingredient in soft capsules and is known for its ability to encapsulate ingredients effectively. It provides taste masking and ease of swallowing. However, gelatin capsules may require enteric coating to prevent dissolution in the acidic environment of the stomach.

8) Pur:
Poor refers to substandard conditions or attributes. In the context of coating or polymer quality, 'poor' materials can lead to defects such as chipping or cracking in tablets, emphasizing the necessity for high-quality excipients in pharmaceutical formulations.

9) Substance:
Substances refer to various chemical compounds, including active ingredients and excipients used in pharmaceutical formulations. Understanding the nature and properties of these substances is essential for optimizing coating processes and ensuring effective drug delivery.

10) Splitting:
Splitting is a defect associated with tablet integrity where the tablet divides unevenly, often leading to compromised drug delivery. Addressing splitting is crucial to ensure consistency and reliability in enteric-coated dosage forms, thus preventing the loss of therapeutic efficacy.

11) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. The article discusses advancements in enteric coating technology that enhance the medicinal effectiveness of various drug formulations, ensuring proper absorption and therapeutic effects.

12) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world. In this context, it signifies the foundation of pharmaceutical research, enabling advancements in drug development and delivery methods like enteric coating.

13) Quality:
Quality signifies the standard or grade of materials, including those used in pharmaceutical formulations. Ensuring high quality in polymers and enteric coating processes is vital for effective drug delivery, preventing defects, and ensuring patients receive safe and effective medications.

14) Avanti (Avamti):
Avanthi refers to the Avanthi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the institution associated with the authors of the review article. This institution plays a role in pharmaceutical research and education, contributing to advancements in studies related to enteric coatings and drug delivery.

15) Nausea:
Nausea is a sensation of unease and discomfort often associated with the desire to vomit. Enteric coatings help mitigate nausea caused by drugs that may irritate the stomach, ensuring that medications reach the intestines, where they can provide therapeutic benefits without discomfort.

16) India:
India is the location of the Avanthi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and signifies the regional context of the research. The pharmaceutical industry in India is rapidly advancing, contributing to global pharmaceutical knowledge and innovations related to coating technologies.

17) Sugar:
Sugar, referenced in the context of tablet coatings, typically denotes sugar coating, a traditional method for masking taste and protecting drug integrity. Enteric coating represents an advancement over sugar coating, facilitating targeted drug release within the intestines.

18) Wall:
Wall refers to the interior surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly relating to drug absorption. Effective enteric coatings ensure that drugs remain intact as they pass through the stomach until they reach the intestinal walls for absorption into the bloodstream.

19) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological pertains to the study of the interactions between drugs and biological systems. Understanding pharmacological principles is crucial for developing enteric-coated medications that achieve desired therapeutic outcomes by controlling the site and rate of drug release.

20) Agriculture:
Agriculture is referenced as a field related to the application of enteric coating technologies beyond pharmaceuticals. Innovations in enteric coatings have potential applications in agriculture for delivering nutrients or pesticides effectively to specific plant parts without degradation.

21) Discussion:
Discussion signifies the collaborative exchange of ideas or findings. The review encapsulates a scholarly discussion of advancements in enteric coating technology, exploring their relevance in pharmaceutical sciences and implications for drug formulation and efficacy.

22) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotics are vital medicines used to treat bacterial infections. The review highlights that certain antibiotics may be sensitive to stomach acid, thus benefitting from enteric coatings to ensure they reach the intestines intact for effective therapeutic action.

23) Knowledge:
Knowledge represents the understanding acquired through study and experience. The review article aims to enhance the knowledge base in the field of pharmaceutical sciences, particularly regarding advancements in enteric coating technologies and their applications in drug formulations.

24) Swallowed:
Swallowed refers to the process of ingesting a medication. The mechanism of enteric-coated tablets is designed to ensure the drug remains inactive until it has been swallowed and has reached the more neutral pH environment of the intestines.

25) Toxicity:
Toxicity relates to the degree to which a substance can harm living organisms. Enteric coatings may be especially important for substances that exhibit toxicity if released in the stomach, emphasizing the necessity for protective measures until the intestines are reached.

26) Activity:
Activity refers to the efficacy or function of a drug. The review emphasizes how enteric coatings are critical for preserving the activity of drugs sensitive to gastric conditions, ensuring that they function effectively after being released in the intestines.

27) Crushing:
Crushing refers to applying pressure to break tablets. Tablet hardness is crucial to withstand this pressure. Maintaining proper hardness and physical integrity during crushing impacts the success of drug delivery in enteric-coated medications.

28) Lakshmi (Laksmi):
Lakshmi refers to Vijaya Lakshmi, an assistant professor acknowledged in the review. Her mentorship signifies the collaborative effort in academic research, contributing to advancements in pharmaceuticals and innovations in enteric coating technologies.

29) Kalpana:
Kalpana refers to T. Kalpana, another associate professor credited in the acknowledgments. Her contributions reflect the importance of collaborative environments in academia, fostering research that shapes advancements in pharmaceutical sciences.

30) Filling (Filled):
Filling refers to the process of placing powders or granules into capsules or tablet molds. In the context of enteric coatings, proper filling is essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the drug delivery system post-coating.

31) Vijaya:
Vijaya denotes P. Mounica, who is the leading author in the review. Her research efforts and academic contributions focus on critical areas in pharmaceutical sciences, particularly on innovations in enteric coating techniques.

32) Pavani:
Pavani refers to S. Pavani, who is a co-author of the review. Her role underscores the collaborative nature of scientific research in exploring and advancing enteric coating technologies within pharmaceutical formulations.

33) Vishnu (Visnu):
Vishnu refers to Y. Vishnu Vandana, an associate professor noted in the acknowledgments. Her involvement highlights the academic support systems that are crucial for producing impactful research in the pharmaceutical sciences.

34) Medium:
Medium refers to the environment in which a drug is dissolved or dispersed. In dissolution testing, the medium is crucial for determining the drug's release profile, especially for enteric-coated formulations that need to act effectively in intestinal pH.

35) Desire:
Desire relates to the aim or intention behind drug formulation and delivery systems. The desire to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient adherence drives innovations like enteric coatings, which enable better-targeted delivery of medications.

36) Glass:
Glass refers to the materials used for laboratory equipment, particularly in dissolution testing where glass vessels contain the medium for testing tablet disintegration and drug release, ensuring accurate measurements during the evaluation process.

37) Honey:
Honey is referenced as part of possible flavoring agents or sweeteners in tablet formulations. Its inclusion represents considerations for enhancing patient compliance through pleasant taste profiles in medications, especially those involving coatings.

38) Field:
Field signifies the broad area of study or work. In this context, it encompasses pharmaceutical sciences, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of research that leads to advancements in drug formulation technologies like enteric coatings.

39) Blood:
Blood refers to the fluid that carries nutrients, oxygen, and drugs throughout the body. Enteric-coated formulations aim for efficient absorption into the bloodstream post-absorption in the intestines, optimizing therapeutic efficacy.

40) Rani:
Rani refers to P. Mounica Rani, co-author of the review article. Her contributions to the pharmaceutical field are acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in researching advancements in enteric coating technologies.

41) Food:
Food relates to edible substances that may interact with medications. Understanding the relationship between food and drug absorption is critical in coating formulations, where enteric coatings prevent premature drug release influenced by dietary components.

42) Hair:
Hair may refer to considerations in cosmetic or health-related formulations. In the pharmaceutical context, it underscores the breadth of applications for coating technologies, where protective coatings can also be relevant in product formulations targeting hair health.

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