Tablet coating systems are used to coat the tablet surface with a thin film in order to mask the color, taste, or smell of a drug. It also protects the drug from contamination, controls release, and much more. In the current market, there are three main types of tablet coating systems, it is important to learn the difference in order to make sure you are using the right one for your specific application.
Standard Coating Pan
A standard coating pan system features a tilted circular metal pan with a diameter of 6 to 80 inches on a benchtop stand that rotates, causing tablets to tumble. A coating solution is sprayed on the tablets in atomized form for fast, even distribution.
Perforated Pan
Tablet coating systems featuring a perforated pan have a drum that is either fully or partially perforated, rotating on a horizontal axis. The entire system is enclosed within a sealed housing. Examples of these tablet coating systems include Accela-cota/Hi-coater systems, Driacoater, and Glatt coater.
Fluidized Bed
This type of system usually features a vertical cylinder. A column of airflow upwards from the bottom of the cylinder. The air blows the tablets up and out to the chamber wall, where they fall back down to the bottom of the chamber. Coating solution applied via sprayers located on the top and bottom of the chamber.
Tablet coating is a great way make to not just to coat the tablet surface with a thin film to mask the color, taste, or smell of a drug but also to protect the drug from contamination, using controls release, and much more.
If you are looking for more information about tablet coating systems, we are happy to address any questions or concerns that you may have at Trident.