HHV 5014 NUTRACEUTICAL FORMULATION TECHNOLOGY UNIT 8: SOLID DOSAGE FORM COATING TECHNOLOGY 8.3: SUGAR COATING Firdaus Ainin Nurainiza Hafizah

INTRODUCTION Improved aesthetic quality Benefits of tablet and granule coating include: Improved aesthetic quality Masking of unpleasant taste or odour. Increasing the ease to swallow the patient. Improving product stability.

SUGAR COATING It involve coating tablets with sucrose This is a highly skilled, multistep process that is very labour intensive The process involve applying a number of aqueous solution of sucrose, together which additional components, which is gradually build up into a smooth , aesthetically pleasant coat.

STAGES OF SUGAR COATING Tablet Sealing coat Subcoat – round off edges Smoothing coat – adds bulk to the tablet. Contains colorants where applicable

ADVANTAGES It utilizes inexpensive and readily available raw materials. No complex equipment or services are required. The process is capable of being controlled and documented to meet modern GMP standards. For high humidity climates, it generally offers a stability advantage over film coated tablets.

SUGAR COATING FAULTS Cracking & splitting of the sugar coat Inversion & stickiness Brittle and are prone to chipping if subjected to an inappropriate mechanical stress. Attempt to polish tablets which are not quite smooth.