Softgel Size Chart

1.What is a softgel capsule? What are the basic types of softgel capsules?

A softgel capsule or soft elastic capsule is hermetically sealed in a single capsule holding a liquid or semi-solid content devoid of any gas or air molecule in it. The softgel capsule is made up of extremely flexible gelatin film which is plasticized by the incorporation of glycerin, sorbitol, or polyol. Softgel capsules are predominantly applicable for an oral route such as

Chewable Softgel Capsule

Chewable softgel capsule is a highly flavored shell, you can chew to obtain the drug.

Suck-able Softgel Capsule

Suck-able softgel capsule is composed of a gelatin shell of flavored medicament to be sucked.

Twisted-off Softgel Capsule

They are designed to be twisted off to release the liquid matrix or filling ingredient.

Meltable Softgel Capsule

They are designed to use up as pessaries, or suppositories.

2.How much volume you can uniformly encapsulate into a softgel capsule?

Softgel capsule is an excellent mode of dosage that ensures the smallest dispensing volume of liquid precisely and accurately. You can even dispense the smallest volume like 0.3ml or 5 minims.

Generally, the encapsulation machine difficultly holds lesser volume than 5 minims or their would-be risk to develop leakage or non-uniformity, indeed that’s the most challenging part. However mini pump is an extensive and essential device used to help the small volume accurately. But even with a pump you can encounter critical challenges and require more attention.

3.What are minim and cc in the softgel capsule chart?

When you see a softgel capsule chart, the first thing you notice is ‘minim’ and ‘cc’.
The term minim itself describes as something so minute or equal to one drop.

This is proved as a unit of fluid that is equal to 1/6^th of a drachm (1/8^th of an ounce).

Similarly, when you notice ‘cc’ or cubic centimeter, is the measurement of volume described in the metric system. It is also known as milliliter or ml. Both measurements are considered as same with no difference except mL is used for fluid whereas cc is used for solids. So, there is no matter if you say 1cc is equal to 1mL.

4.What is a round softgel capsule? Where is it used?

Primarily, a softgel capsule is available in a round form. A round-shaped softgel capsules are commonly available for oral administration of drugs. These softgel capsules offer a high range of versatility to improve and solve various formulation challenges. They are easy to swallow and high in demand and use to dispense nutritional and therapeutically active substances such as nutritional supplements like iron, biotin, or fatty acid, etc.

5.How much volume a round softgel capsule contains?

From a softgel capsule size chart, you may estimate standard sizes of softgel capsules are capable to retain filling ingredient ranges from 0.75 minims or 0.046 cc to 41.0 minims or 2.526 cc.

6.What is an oval softgel capsule? Where is it used?

There are many types of soft gel capsules one is oval. It is shaped like a circle but has wider ends than that of the circle.

You can imagine that shape of the oval softgel is like an egg.

It can hold different volumes depending upon the density of material present at its core.

It also comes in various colors.

Oval-shaped capsules are very popular in the pharmaceutical industry. These are used to treat deficiencies in nutrition such as vitamin A and E. These contain oily drugs like fish oil, rice bran oil, primrose oil, etc.

7.How much volume an oval-shaped softgel capsule contains?

These softgel capsules have affinity to hold filling ingredient ranges from 1.5-1.8 minims or 0.265-0.308 cc to 21.0-30.0 minims or 1.294-1.848 cc.

8.What is a tube softgel capsule? How many mL does it contain?

Tube-shaped softgel capsule is one of the many types of softgel capsule. It has a round shape with is pointed at one end. These tube-shaped capsules are also available in various colors and have different volume densities. Tube soft gels are mostly used as tropical products.

These have numbers 5, 6, 8, 17.5, 30, 45, 55, and 120.

If the tube softgel capsule has a smaller size, then it contains less volume. Like 5 number tube-shaped capsule packs less volume of the core drug than 6 number tube shape softgel.

• 5 sized tube capsules contain 2.5-5 ml of dose
• 6 tube capsules have 5-6 ml of dose
• 8 tube capsules enclose 6-8 ml of drug dosage
• 5 tubs capsule is packed with 15-17 ml of drug dosage
• In 30 tubs capsule, there are 27-32 ml of the core drug.
• 45 tubs capsule is loaded with 40-45 ml of drug mixture
• 55 sized tube capsules contain 40-55 ml drug dosage
• 120 sized tube capsules have 90-120 ml of drug mixture

9.What is a suppository softgel capsule? How is it administered?

A suppository-shaped softgel capsule is filled with the fluid mixture, semi-solid or solid ingredients. These shapes of softgel capsules are increasing in popularity as it has the ability to hold large volume as compared to other shapes of softgel capsules.

These capsules are in a small bullet shape or have a cone shape.

They have different modes of entry into the body. The common ways of administrating these drugs are:

• Rectal
• Vaginal
• Urethral

The rectal is the most preferred method of injecting these drugs into the body while the least preferred method is urethral.

Suppository softgel capsules are used when

• Medication has a bitter taste.
• The drug is rapidly released inside the gut.
• The patient is having fits and cannot take medication orally.
• The patient is unable to swallow tablets or keeps on vomiting.

10.How much-encapsulating volume a suppository-shaped softgel capsule contains?

A suppository-shaped softgel capsule has a greater capacity to hold filling ingredients than other shapes of softgel capsules. For instance, it ranges from 5.0-6.0 minims or 0.308-0.370 cc to 62.0 – 80.0 minims or 3.819-4.928 cc.

11.What is a fish shape capsule? How do you use?

These capsules are created to be snipped off or twisted. This characteristic easily allows measurement of dose that is enclosed in a capsule for topical as well as oral medications. These are an attractive form of capsules that allow accurate and optimal doses.

You may carry twisted or fish-type capsules anywhere you travel.

These forms of capsules are highly demandable in the cosmetic industry. For instance

• Skin
• Hair
• Bath and body

Furthermore, other applications of fished shape softgel capsules are:

• Natural Ingredients: Fish-shaped capsules are mainly used to preserve oil-based formulations or any traditional natural ingredients. such as fragrance, vitamin E.
• R&D: They are used to develop oil-filled substances free from water with capsule technology.

12.How much volume does a fish or twisted softgel capsule contain?

A fish-shaped softgel capsule or twisted capsule has an affinity to hold volume ranges from 2.5-5.0 minims or 0.154-0.308 cc to 12.0-15.0 minims or 0.74- 0.925 cc.

13.What are the special shapes of softgel capsules? Where do you use them?

Besides standard shapes of softgel capsules, there are some special shapes of softgel capsules that are increasingly gaining popularity in the cosmetic industry.

Because these irregular shape softgel capsules are visually appealing, attractive, and better for improving your brand.

These special-shaped softgel capsules are

• convenient and portable.
• can carry unit smaller volume
• better quality

They are commonly available in three types

• twisted off

• bath bead

• cut off softgel.

14.What are important parameters to consider for selecting softgel capsule size?

Choosing the right size of softgel capsule is important for having the required treatment effect. There are many factors that you should pay attention to various factors like

1. Dosage of the Drug
2. The volume of Core Drug
3. Swallowability
4. Type of Capsule

Dosage of the Drug

It is an important factor when choosing the size of the capsule. This is determined by the amount of formulated drug that produces the desired response.

It is up to you that how many active ingredients and excipients you will put inside the capsule.

If the amount of mix (active ingredients and excipients) is excess then you should consider dividing this dose into smaller size capsules.

Volume of Core Drug

This volume of core drug or mixture that is filled inside the capsule generally depends on the power density of the mixture.

You must determine the powder density as you will need to calculate the number of active ingredients. These powder densities will determine whether you have to modify the mixture or divide the dose over multiple capsules.

Swallowability

You can select the size of the basis of its ease of swallowing. You can choose the capsule size by determining the most suitable physical size that can be easily consumed by the patient or pet.

Sometimes it is difficult for a child or a pet to ingest the larger-sized capsule so you can choose a larger number capsule such as 4 or 5 when making the capsule for children or animals.

Type of Capsule

Some capsules come in specific sizes. You must first determine the kind of capsule you want to produce and then choose the size of the capsule.

15.What are the formulation requirements for making a perfect softgel capsule?

If you have a production line for manufacturing softgel capsules, then read through this blog to learn about the perfect recipe for making soft gel capsules.

Following are the formulation requirements for manufacturing softgel capsules.

• Core Drug Mix and Gelatin Compatibility
• Tolerance of Drug to Moisture Content
• Tolerance of Drug to Extreme Temperature
• pH of Mix
• Moving of Fill material inside the Gelatin Shell

Core Drug Mix and Gelatin Compatibility

The mixture of core drugs present in the softgel capsules are in different forms like in solid-state or liquid, they can be solution or suspension of different substances. The important point is that filling material present inside the capsule should not react with gelatin or shell coating.

Tolerance of Drug to Moisture Content

Drugs are that deteriorate upon exposure to moisture should not be formulated as softgel capsules. Because softgel capsules have a high moisture content as they are made with glycerol.

Tolerance of Drug to Extreme Temperature

Heat-sensitive drugs should not be encapsulated inside the softgel capsule as heating of substance up to 35°C is an important step of encapsulation. So the heat-sensitive drugs are destroyed when they are heated to 35°C temperature.

pH of Mix

Drugs having pH below 2 should not be loaded inside the softgel capsules as they will hydrolase the gelatin. Also, extreme basic drugs having a pH greater than 8 should not be encapsulated inside the drugs as they can cause the tanning of gelatin. This results in cross-linking of gelatin which leads to the insolubility of capsules in water and this gelatin shell is not degraded upon the enzymatic action so the inside drug is not released.

Moving of Fill material inside the Gelatin Shell

There mustn't be the interaction and moving of fill material inside the softgel coat. Some drugs can move from their oily medium to capsule coat which causes alterations in their solubility in water. This effect should be especially taken into account when making tube softgel as this impacts the drug concentration in tropical products.

16.What do you need to determine formulation density for softgel capsules?

Formulation density is very easy to calculate. You should know a few things before using the formula.

• Mass or Weight of the Product

This is determined by simply weighing your product on measuring or physical balance.

• Volume

It is the amount of filling material that is to be encapsulated. You can calculate this amount by measuring a cup or teaspoon.

Formulation Density Formula

Units

Mass is measured in grams while volume is measured in milligrams, so formulation density is measured in grams per milliliters.

Steps of Calculating Formulation Density

• First, measure the mass of the product by filling it inside the container. Record its weight. Then take out the product of the container. Next, weigh the empty container. Deduct the load of the container from the load of your product.
• Secondly, measure the volume of the product by spoon or a cup.
• Divide the mass by the volume and you will get the formulation density of your product in g/ml.

17.What is the future forecast and impact analysis of the global softgel capsule market?

For many years, softgel capsules that are made of gelatin are consumed by people all over the world. It is estimated that the market of soft gel capsules will generate revenue of US $9 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 9%.

With the recent demand for green natural products, the need for vegetarian capsules has increased and people are willing to pay the finest prices for natural soft gel capsules. This trend is expanding the global market for soft gel capsules.

Nutritional supplements are desirable for health conscience persons. People are adopting a healthier and fitness-oriented lifestyle. This allows the manufactures of supplements to supply their products to a wide range of people in the oral form-soft gel.

Many companies are manufacturing halal softgel capsules and seeking halal approval from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America to increase their market in Islamic countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.

These softgel capsules have a wide variety of applications in industries like pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetics, and other service providers. Softgel capsules are most commonly used in the nutraceutical industry. These are also used to make cough medicines, antacids, antibiotics, etc.

Europe is leading the market of softgel capsules followed by North America. Moreover, it is predicted that there is a profitable chance of growth of softgel capsules in Asian countries.

Suppliers of softgel capsules are striving to develop new vegetarian capsules that have increased resistance to gastric acids of the stomach and have rapid dissolution.

Conclusion

This blog will help you to understand all you need to know about softgel capsules. In this guide, different aspects of softgel capsules have been discussed like their number, types, things that need to be considered while making softgel capsules. The process of reading the capsule size chart has been described in detail and the steps of calculating the formulation density have been thoroughly covered.