Choosing between capsules and tablets depends on the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), formulation, manufacturing process, product requirements and intended users.
Dosage form and manufacture
Tablets are solid dosage forms made by compressing a formulation in a tablet press. They can have different sizes, shapes, colors and embossed markings. Embossing is a tablet tooling and production consideration.
Two-piece hard capsules enclose the API and excipients in a capsule body and cap. Shell composition and compatibility must be selected for the formulation.
Tablet score lines
Some tablets have score lines. Splitting a medicine depends on its specific labeling and guidance from a healthcare professional; a score line alone should not be treated as permission to divide any tablet into halves or quarters. See the FDA information on tablet splitting.
Production cost and output
Compare the selected machines, tooling, batch size, changeovers and formulation when evaluating production cost and speed. Captek's CF-Q7500 manufacturer sheet lists a maximum output of 450,000 capsules/hour; actual output depends on operating conditions. That rating does not establish a general speed comparison with all tablet presses.
Swallowing and sensory characteristics
Size, shape, shell or coating, and the individual user affect swallowing and taste. Avoid assuming that every capsule is easier to swallow than every tablet or that a dosage form is suitable for a person with swallowing difficulties.
Formulation and excipients
Both dosage forms can contain excipients. Select ingredients and processing methods for the product's requirements rather than assuming one format is inherently organic or free of fillers.
Stability and storage
Shelf life, storage conditions, ingredient stability and gastrointestinal tolerability require product-specific evidence. They cannot be determined from the capsule or tablet format alone.
Discuss the formulation, target output and documentation requirements with Captek when selecting the production equipment.