Tablet Coatings | Titanium Dioxide Coatings and Replacements

A wide variety of solid dose pharmaceutical products are film coated.

Benefits of Tablet Coatings

Coatings can be broken down into three key sectors – aesthetic coatings, protective coatings and functional coatings. Within the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical sector, they are primarily used to;

• Increase the shelf life of the tablets as the coating can protect tablets from external aggressors such as light, moisture and oxidation
• Improve product appearance, organoleptic properties and identity identification – colours can be used to enhance a brand.
• Facilitate the ease of swallowing by enhancing the tablet’s smoothness
• Strengthen the tablet – coating increases the mechanical resistance of tablets
• Enhance taste whilst masking odours commonly associated with APIs, which are often bitter

Composition of a Coating Formula

A typical coating formula is composed of:

• A pharmaceutical polymer – the foundation of the coating layer.
• A plasticizing agent – utilised to reduce the film – forming temperature of the polymer, enabling it to apply at lower temperatures, and improving the elasticity of the coating film.
• Colourants and pigments – help to increase opacity, light protection and provide coloration as required.
• Glidants – incorporated to produce coatings which are smooth and tack free
• Flavours – help improve the consumer experience or provide brand value
• Viscosity Modifiers – allow coatings to be applied in a more efficient process or create an improved tablet appearance

SheffCoat™ Film Coatings

SheffCoat™ film coatings are pre-blended ready-to-use coatings that allow you to customise a film coating that is compatible with your API and regional regulatory requirements. There are Titanium Dioxide and Titanium Dioxide free variations available, helping formulators with their unique requirements.

Clean Label Coatings

Titanium dioxide is widely using within pharmaceutical tablet coatings due to its ability to make films opaque, produce pastel shades as a result of its whiteness, and maintain excellent light/heat stability. However with increased regulation surrounding Titanium Dioxide, more formulators are looking at potential replacement opacifiers.

Have You Tried?

Find out more…

For more information or to request a sample of any of the above tablet coating options, please contact us or send us an email at info@surfachem.com

Discover more about our expertise and how we can help you:

• Latest Insights
• Latest Product Concepts
• Formulation Library