Types of Tablets

Dispersible or Effervescent tablets

These tablets are designed to be added to water just prior to swallowing. They are frequently quite large and can contain large amounts of sodium. The size prevents patients from taking many of them, which is helpful for soluble paracetamol products for instance however the sodium content can cause problems in patients where sodium intake is restricted.

Sub-lingual tablets

Designed to be dissolved under the tongue, are rapidly absorbed through the tongue and therefore work quickly.

Buccal tablets

Intended to be placed on the gum or in the cheek to allow the drug absorbed. Because the medicine can be held for a longer period of time on the gum, medicines which need to be released at a slower rate than sub-lingual tablets can be given via this route. This route is used for anti-nausea drugs and nicotine replacement gums.

Melts

Melt tablets are placed on the tongue and are designed to dissolve directly in the mouth's saliva. The contents are then swallowed with saliva and consequently water does not have to be administered with these medicines. This is particularly useful in patients who are at risk of aspiration and therefore unable to swallow tablets with water concurrently.

ENTERIC COATED

3 reasons for putting such a coating on a tablet or capsule ingredient:

• To protect the stomach from the drug
• To protect the drug from the stomach
• To release the drug after the stomach e.g. in the intestines

** It can be seen that an enteric coating is therefore advantageous and such tablets or the contents of enteric coated capsules should never be crushed before being taken.