Do you know how many types of tablets exist in pharma?
Tablets aren’t just simple pills—we have a wide range based on release profile, coating, route of administration, manufacturing method, and special use.
From immediate-release to oro-dispersible, from film-coated to multi-layered, each type is tailored for specific therapeutic and patient needs.
Types of Tablets in the Pharmaceutical Industry
In pharmaceutical formulation, tablets are one of the most widely used dosage forms. They come in various types based on release profiles, coatings, administration routes, and more.
1. By Release Profile:
- Immediate-Release – Quick disintegration and drug release.
- Extended/Sustained-Release – Gradual release over time.
- Delayed-Release – Releases drug after a specific delay (e.g., enteric-coated).
2. By Coating:
- Film-Coated – Thin polymer layer for taste masking and durability.
- Sugar-Coated – Smooth, sweet coating.
- Enteric-Coated – Protects drug from stomach acid; dissolves in the intestine.
3. By Route of Administration:
- Oral Tablets – Swallowed whole or chewed.
- Buccal Tablets – Placed in the cheek for mucosal absorption.
- Sublingual Tablets – Dissolve under the tongue for rapid effect.
- Effervescent Tablets – Dissolved in water before intake.
4. By Manufacturing Method:
- Compressed Tablets – Most common, made by compressing powder.
- Multi-layer Tablets – For separating ingredients or controlled release.
- Molded Tablets – Softer; often used for sublingual or chewable forms.
5. By Special Use:
- Chewable Tablets
- Dispersible Tablets
- Orodispersible Tablets
Types of Tablets (With Examples)
Pharmaceutical tablets are solid dosage forms that contain one or more active ingredients and excipients. They are usually made by compression in tablet press machines or molding and are taken by mouth or other routes. Tablets are the most common way medicines are given, with uncoated and coated tablets being the two main forms.
Below are the main types of tablets, including their definitions and examples.
1. Uncoated Tablets
Uncoated tablets are compressed tablets that do not have any outer coating. They are made by pressing active ingredients with excipients into a solid form. These are the simplest type of tablets and are often used when no protection from light, moisture, or stomach acid is needed.
Examples:
- Paracetamol uncoated tablets
- Aspirin uncoated tablets
2. Coated Tablets
Coated tablets have an outer layer made from materials like sugar, film, or polymers. The coating can improve taste, protect the drug from stomach acid, or control how the drug is released.
Types of coated tablets:
- Sugar-coated tablets
- Film-coated tablets
- Enteric-coated tablets (see below)
Example:
- Ibuprofen film-coated tablets
3. Dispersible Tablets
Dispersible tablets are designed to break up and form a uniform suspension when placed in water. They can be film-coated or uncoated.
Example:
- Dispersible amoxicillin tablets
4. Effervescent Tablets
Effervescent tablets are uncoated and dissolve quickly in water. They contain acid and bicarbonate, which react to release carbon dioxide gas. This helps the tablet dissolve fast.
Example:
- Vitamin C effervescent tablets
5. Modified-Release Tablets
These tablets are designed to release the active ingredient slowly or at a specific time. They can be coated or uncoated.
Types include:
- Enteric-coated tablets: Resist stomach acid and dissolve in the intestines.
- Prolonged-release tablets: Also called sustained or extended-release. Release the drug over time.
Examples:
- Enteric-coated omeprazole tablets
- Extended-release metformin tablets
6. Soluble Tablets
Soluble tablets are dissolved in water before use. They may be coated or uncoated, depending on the formulation.
Example:
- Soluble aspirin tablets
7. Tablets for Use in the Mouth
These are used when fast absorption is needed or when swallowing is difficult.
Types include:
- Buccal tablets – placed between the gum and cheek
- Sublingual tablets – placed under the tongue
- Lozenges and troches – dissolve slowly in the mouth
Examples:
- Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets
- Vitamin C lozenges
8. Tablets for Other Routes
These are placed in parts of the body other than the mouth, such as the rectum or vagina.
Examples:
- Vaginal tablets (e.g., clotrimazole)
- Rectal tablets
Advantages of Tablets:
- Easy to use
- Accurate dose per tablet
- Can be coated to mask taste or protect the drug
- Cost-effective
- Long shelf life
- Suitable for modified-release formulas
𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙢-
1. Immediate Release (IR) Tablets: Release active ingredient immediately
2. Sustained Release (SR) Tablets: Release active ingredient over time
3. Controlled Release (CR) Tablets: Release active ingredient at predetermined rate
4. Extended Release (ER) Tablets: Release active ingredient over extended period
5. Delayed Release (DR) Tablets: Release active ingredient after predetermined delay
𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙙𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣-
1. Oral Tablets: Swallowed whole or chewed
2. Sublingual Tablets: Dissolve under tongue
3. Buccal Tablets: Dissolve between cheek and gum
4. Rectal Tablets: Inserted into rectum
𝘽𝙮 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣-
1. Antacid Tablets: Neutralize stomach acid
2. Anti-inflammatory Tablets: Reduce inflammation
3. Antibiotic Tablets: Treat bacterial infections
4. Antiviral Tablets: Treat viral infections
5. Analgesic Tablets: Relieve pain
𝘽𝙮 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣-
1. Coated Tablets: Coated with material (e.g., enteric, film)
2. Uncoated Tablets: Without coating
3. Effervescent Tablets: Dissolve in water, releasing gas
4. Chewable Tablets: Designed to be chewed
5. Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs): Dissolve quickly in mouth
𝘽𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨-
1. Compressed Tablets: Made by compressing powder
2. Moulded Tablets: Made by moulding mixture
3. Extruded Tablets: Made by extruding mixture
4. Lyophilized Tablets: Made by freeze-drying
5. 3D-Printed Tablets: Made using 3D printing technology
𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙏𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨-
1. Enteric-Coated Tablets: Resist stomach acid
2. Gastro-Resistant Tablets: Resist stomach acid
3. Fast-Melt Tablets: Dissolve quickly in mouth
4. ODTs (Orally Disintegrating Tablets)
5. Nanoparticle Tablets: Contain nanoparticles.