Capsule: Solid Oral Dosage Form: Drug Delivery System

In this comprehensive text, Dr. Dharmendra Kumar explores the science, technology, and practical aspects behind one of the most commonly used pharmaceutical dosage forms: capsules. The book provides a detailed overview of both hard gelatin and soft gelatin capsules, examining their composition, formulation strategies, manufacturing techniques, and quality control considerations. The author begins by introducing the fundamental types of capsules, including their advantages over other dosage forms such as tablets. Special emphasis is placed on formulation development, highlighting the selection of appropriate excipients, fill materials, and capsule shell ingredients based on drug properties and intended therapeutic outcomes. A core section of the book is devoted to the manufacturing process, covering stages like blending, encapsulation, drying, polishing, and packaging. For softgel production, Dr. Kumar outlines the rotary die process, the role of plasticizers, and factors affecting shell integrity and stability.