Key Points
- There are a variety of different sizes of pharmaceutical tablets available, but most tablets range from 1 mm to 22 mm.
- There are different sizes of pharmaceutical tablets available on the market to help support the end-user.
- Typically, standard-sized tablets are about >5 mm in diameter.
- Patients noted that larger round tablets stuck to their esophagus than 8mm round tablets, which are typically easier to swallow.
- Studies show that increasing tablet size is associated with swallowing problems.
- There are a variety of common tablet shapes available on the market, including round, oblong, rectangle, diamond, and kidney.
- It’s also common for tablet manufacturers to develop special-shaped tablets designed to look like fruits, animals, or popular TV show characters.
- There are a variety of patient factors to consider when manufacturing tablets.
- Drug tablet size and shape don’t determine your packaging options.
Different Sizes of Pharmaceutical Tablets
There are a variety of different sizes of pharmaceutical tablets available, but most tablets range from 1 mm to 22 mm.
Some of the most common tablet sizes include:
Mini-Sized Tablets
According to an FDA guidance report, about 16 million people in the United States have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. That’s why different sizes of pharmaceutical tablets are available to help support the end-user.
Mini-sized tablets typically have a diameter of ≤ 3 mm and are separated into subunits of conventional tablets, giving patients who have a difficult time swallowing an advantage compared to standard-sized tablets.
Standard-Sized Tablets
Typically, standard-sized tablets are about >5 mm in diameter. When it comes to tablet size, smaller is usually better. Manufacturers must consider patient demographic factors like age and medical conditions when designing and developing tablets and capsules.
Large-Sized Tablets
Studies show that increasing tablet size is associated with swallowing problems. Patients noted that larger round tablets stuck to their esophagus more than 8 mm round tablets, which are typically easier to swallow.
Do Drug Tablet Size and Shape Impact Packaging Options?
Drug tablet size and shape doesn’t impact bottle or blister packaging selection. However, other factors contribute to choosing the best packaging for your tablets.
How To Choose the Right Pharmaceutical Packaging
To choose the right pharmaceutical packaging for your product, consider the following factors:
Cost
When choosing between bottle or blister packaging, the first factor to consider is cost. Typically, bottles are a more cost-effective option for larger package counts. Blister packaging can be more cost-effective if you manufacture tablets for smaller package counts.
Protective Quality and Product Sensitivity
Another factor to consider for selecting the right type of packaging is protective quality. Pharmaceutical products generally react to external elements like heat, air, moisture, oxygen, and light. Exposure to natural elements can impact product quality and effectiveness in many cases. Choosing blister packaging helps protect tablets from the elements.
Product sensitivity and your product’s characteristic properties are also important factors to consider when choosing packaging. Before selecting your packaging type, pay close attention to how your drug is impacted when exposed to heat, air, moisture, oxygen, and light. The right packaging material ensures your tablets are protected, keeping the drug’s formulation stable.
Product Dosage Form
The product dosage form is another essential factor to consider when selecting proper packaging. Tablets manufactured in bulk are generally packed in PE bags and stored in a warehouse, whereas pharmaceutical products supplied to retailers for over-the-counter sales are always packaged in blister packs. Blister packaging applies extended protection because tablets aren’t exposed to the elements all at once like with bottles.
Patient Accessibility
The final factor to consider when choosing the right packaging for your product is patient accessibility. Blister packaging often increases patient accessibility, providing a seamless way to count the doses left to administer and to track refills.
Providing You With the Right Pharmaceutical Packaging
Ascend Packaging Systems has more than 50 years in the pharmaceutical packaging industry, providing our customers with the right pharmaceutical packaging solutions based on their product needs. We work with unique and common tablet shapes and sizes, ranging from round in shape to large in size. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your tablet packaging needs.
