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A film coating is a thin polymer-based coat that is typically sprayed onto solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, pellets or granules. Film coating can impact both its appearance and its pharmacokinetics making it an essential process in making the final drug product.
Film coatings are the most common form of drug coating and are generally applied in orally-administered pharmaceuticals. The motivation for applying film coatings to dosage forms range from cosmetic considerations (colour, gloss and branding), improving the shelf life by providing a protective barrier between the drug and the surrounding environment. These types of film coatings are known as non-functional film coatings. They may also be used to delay or augment the delivery and uptake of medications or delay release and uptake until the medication passes through the stomach. These types of film coatings are known as functional film coatings.