Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hard capsules: An alternative to gelatin
Résumé
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules are currently an alternative to hard gelatin capsules, the most commonly used capsules until the present. The pharmacotechnical properties of these capsules are briefly presented and discussed. Their adhesive properties to the aesophageal mucosa, particularly important in oral administration, were the object of a comparative in vitro study which measured adhesive force and work when these capsules were placed in contact with porcine aesophageal mucosa. This work showed that hard capsule adhesive properties are high in comparison to those of other galenic forms. Nevertheless, under the experimental conditions used, it appeared that the adhesive properties of HPMC hard capsules are relatively comparable to those of gelatin capsules.