Functional Film Coating

Enteric coated tablets are solid unit dosage forms which are designed to bypass the stomach and release the drug in small intestine and are meant for oral administration. The word “enteric” indicates small intestine; therefore enteric coatings prevent release of medication before it reaches the small intestine. Most enteric coatings work by presenting a coated surface that is stable at the highly acidic pH found in the stomach, but breaks down rapidly at a less acidic (relatively more basic) pH. Materials used for enteric coating include cellulose, phthalate and co-polymer.