Tablet vs. Capsule — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 25, 2024
A tablet is a solid form of medication, often round or oval, while a capsule consists of medication encased in a soluble container, usually gelatin.
Difference Between Tablet and Capsule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tablets are made by compressing powder or granules of the medication, often including binders, lubricants, and fillers, into a solid form. They can be coated to make swallowing easier, to control the release of the medication, or to protect the stomach from irritation. Capsules, in contrast, contain medication in powder or liquid form, enclosed in a soluble shell that dissolves in the digestive tract, releasing the active ingredient.
While tablets can be scored to allow for splitting, providing flexibility in dosage, capsules offer the advantage of potentially masking the taste and odor of their contents, making them easier to swallow for some people. However, capsules are not typically designed to be opened or divided, which could limit dosage flexibility.
In terms of manufacturing, tablets often require a simpler process and can be more durable and stable, making them suitable for a wider range of environmental conditions. Capsules, however, might offer faster release and absorption of the medication due to the soluble nature of their casing, but they can be more sensitive to humidity and temperature.
Some tablets offer the ability to deliver medication slowly or at specific points in the digestive system, a feature known as controlled or extended release. While certain capsule designs can also control the release of medication, this is more commonly achieved with tablets.
The choice between a tablet and a capsule can depend on various factors, including the nature of the medication, patient preferences, and specific medical needs. Some people may find capsules easier to swallow, while others might prefer tablets for their ability to adjust doses or because of their generally longer shelf life.
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Comparison Chart
Form
Solid, often round or oval.
Medication encased in a soluble shell.
Composition
Powder or granules compressed with binders.
Powder or liquid medication in a gelatin or synthetic shell.
Flexibility
Can be scored for splitting.
Not designed to be divided.
Taste
Coating can mask taste; uncoated can have taste.
Shell masks the taste and odor of medication.
Release
Can be controlled or extended.
Generally faster release, some designs control release.
Environmental Stability
More durable and stable.
Sensitive to humidity and temperature.
Compare with Definitions
Tablet
Solid medication form.
The doctor prescribed a round tablet to be taken twice daily.
Capsule
Medication in a soluble shell.
He prefers capsules because they're easier to swallow.
Tablet
Coated for ease of swallowing.
The coated tablets are easier to swallow without leaving a bitter taste.
Capsule
Can contain liquid or powder medication.
The antibiotic came in a capsule form, containing a liquid for faster absorption.
Tablet
Used for controlled-release medication.
The extended-release tablet ensures the medication is delivered over time.
Capsule
Not suitable for splitting.
The capsule cannot be opened or divided without affecting the medication's efficacy.
Tablet
Widely used and stable.
Tablets are popular due to their long shelf life and ease of storage.
Capsule
Can offer fast release.
The pain relief medication in capsule form works quickly due to rapid dissolution.
Tablet
Can be split for dosage adjustment.
She split the scored tablet to reduce the dosage as advised.
Capsule
Sensitive to environmental conditions.
Capsules must be stored carefully to avoid exposure to heat and moisture.
Tablet
A slab or plaque, as of stone or ivory, with a surface that is intended for or bears an inscription.
Capsule
A small soluble container, usually made of gelatin, that encloses a dose of an oral medicine or a vitamin.
Tablet
A thin sheet or leaf, used as a writing surface.
Capsule
(Anatomy) A fibrous, membranous, or fatty sheath that encloses an organ or part, such as the sac surrounding the kidney or the fibrous tissues that surround a joint.
Tablet
A set of such leaves fastened together, as in a book.
Capsule
(Microbiology) A polysaccharide outer shell enveloping certain bacteria.
Tablet
A pad of writing paper glued together along one edge.
Capsule
A dry dehiscent fruit that develops from two or more united carpels.
Tablet
A lightweight, portable computer having a touchscreen as the method by which data is input.
Capsule
The thin-walled, spore-containing structure of mosses and related plants.
Tablet
A small flat pellet of medication to be taken orally.
Capsule
A space capsule.
Tablet
A small flat cake of a prepared substance, such as soap.
Capsule
A brief summary; a condensation.
Tablet
To inscribe on a tablet.
Capsule
Highly condensed; very brief
A capsule description.
Tablet
To form into a tablet.
Capsule
Very small; compact.
Tablet
A slab of clay, stone or wood used for inscription.
Capsule
To enclose in or furnish with a capsule.
Tablet
(religion) A short scripture written by the founders of the Bahá'í faith.
Capsule
To condense or summarize
Capsuled the news.
Tablet
A pill; a small, easily swallowed portion of a substance.
Many people take vitamin tablets as a food supplement.
Capsule
(physiology) A membranous envelope.
Tablet
A block of several sheets of blank paper that are bound together at the top; pad of paper.
Capsule
(botany) A type of simple, dehiscent, dry fruit (seed-case) produced by many species of flowering plants, such as poppy, lily, orchid, willow and cotton.
Tablet
(computing) A graphics tablet.
Capsule
(botany) A sporangium, especially in bryophytes.
Tablet
(computing) A tablet computer, a type of portable computer.
Capsule
(anatomy) A tough, fibrous layer surrounding an organ such as the kidney or liver
Tablet
(Scotland) A confection made from sugar, condensed milk and butter, produced in flat slabs, with a grainer texture than fudge.
Capsule
(anatomy) A membrane that surrounds the eyeball
Tablet
(rail) A type of round token giving authority for a train to proceed over a single-track line.
Capsule
(astronautics) A detachable part of a rocket or spacecraft (usually in the nose) containing the crew's living space.
Tablet
(transitive) To form (a drug, etc.) into tablets.
Capsule
(pharmacy) A small container containing a dose of medicine.
Tablet
A small table or flat surface.
Capsule
In a brief, condensed or compact form
Tablet
A flat piece of any material on which to write, paint, draw, or engrave; also, such a piece containing an inscription or a picture.
Capsule
(winemaking) The covering — formerly lead or tin, now often plastic — over the cork at the top of the wine bottle.
Tablet
Hence, a small picture; a miniature.
Capsule
A small clay saucer for roasting or melting samples of ores, etc.; a scorifier.
Tablet
A kind of pocket memorandum book.
Capsule
A small, shallow evaporating dish, usually of porcelain.
Tablet
A flattish cake or piece; as, tablets of arsenic were formerly worn as a preservative against the plague.
Capsule
A small cup or shell, often of metal, for a percussion cap, cartridge, etc.
Tablet
A solid kind of electuary or confection, commonly made of dry ingredients with sugar, and usually formed into little flat squares; - called also lozenge, and troche, especially when of a round or rounded form.
Capsule
(transitive) To form (medicine, etc.) into capsules.
Tablet
A slab of stone or wood suitable for bearing an inscription
Capsule
(transitive) To encapsulate or summarize.
Tablet
A number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
Capsule
A dry fruit or pod which is made up of several parts or carpels, and opens to discharge the seeds, as, the capsule of the poppy, the flax, the lily, etc.
Tablet
A small flat compressed cake of some substance;
A tablet of soap
Capsule
A small saucer of clay for roasting or melting samples of ores, etc.; a scorifier.
Tablet
A dose of medicine in the form of a small pellet
Capsule
A small cylindrical or spherical gelatinous envelope in which nauseous or acrid doses are inclosed to be swallowed.
Capsule
A membranous sac containing fluid, or investing an organ or joint; as, the capsule of the lens of the eye. Also, a capsulelike organ.
Capsule
A metallic seal or cover for closing a bottle.
Capsule
A small cup or shell, as of metal, for a percussion cap, cartridge, etc.
Capsule
A small container
Capsule
A pill in the form of a small rounded gelatinous container with medicine inside
Capsule
A dry dehiscent seed vessel or the spore-containing structure of e.g. mosses
Capsule
A shortened version of a written work
Capsule
A structure that encloses a body part
Capsule
A spacecraft designed to transport people and support human life in outer space
Capsule
A pilot's seat in an airplane that can be forcibly ejected in the case of an emergency; then the pilot descends by parachute
Capsule
Enclose in a capsule
Capsule
Put in a short or concise form; reduce in volume;
Capsulize the news
Common Curiosities
Can all medications come in both tablet and capsule form?
Not all medications are suitable for both forms; the choice depends on the medication's chemical properties, intended release pattern, and stability.
Can you chew tablets instead of swallowing them whole?
Some tablets are designed to be chewable, but most should be swallowed whole to ensure proper release and absorption of the medication.
Do tablets and capsules have different expiration dates?
Expiration dates can vary based on the medication's formulation, packaging, and storage conditions, rather than the form being a tablet or capsule.
Are there any differences in cost between tablets and capsules?
Costs can vary based on the medication, brand, and manufacturing process rather than the form alone.
Why are some tablets coated?
Tablets may be coated to mask taste, ease swallowing, protect the stomach lining, or control the medication's release.
Are there environmental concerns with capsule shells?
Some concerns exist regarding gelatin sourcing and the biodegradability of synthetic materials, leading to interest in more sustainable options.
How should tablets and capsules be stored?
Both should be stored according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Can both tablets and capsules be prescribed for children?
Medications for children are prescribed based on the child's ability to swallow pills and the dosage requirement, with liquid forms often preferred for younger children.
Why are some medications only available in tablet form?
Some medications require specific formulations, such as controlled-release mechanisms, that are more effectively achieved with tablets.
Are capsules always made of gelatin?
While gelatin is common, capsules can also be made from other materials like hypromellose for vegetarian or vegan options.
Why might a doctor prescribe a capsule over a tablet?
A doctor might prescribe a capsule if the medication has an unpleasant taste, requires rapid absorption, or if the patient has difficulty swallowing solid forms.
Is it safe to open a capsule and take the powder?
Opening a capsule can alter the medication's intended absorption and effectiveness and is generally not recommended without a doctor's advice.
Can both tablets and capsules be taken with food?
Whether a medication should be taken with food depends on its specific requirements and not whether it's a tablet or capsule.
Can dietary supplements come in tablet and capsule forms?
Yes, dietary supplements are available in both tablet and capsule forms, depending on the supplement's ingredients and intended use.
How quickly do capsules work compared to tablets?
Capsules can sometimes work faster than tablets due to the rapid dissolution of their shell, but this can vary based on the medication's formulation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
