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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Dosage Forms

Enteric-coated

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

adjectiveCommon term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, enteric-coated means: Describes a tablet or capsule with a special coating that does not dissolve in stomach acid but breaks down later, in the small intestine.

In Turkish: enterik kaplı, mide asidine dirençli, gastro-rezistan

How it is used

Shortened to EC. The coating protects the stomach from an irritating drug, as with some low-dose aspirin products, or protects an acid-sensitive drug from the stomach, as with many proton pump inhibitors. EU product information calls these products gastro-resistant. They should not be crushed or chewed.

Example sentences

  1. This aspirin is enteric-coated, so swallow it whole.

  2. Crushing an enteric-coated tablet destroys the protective layer.

Common collocations

  • enteric-coated tablet
  • enteric coating
  • gastro-resistant
  • do not crush
  • modified-releaseDescribes a tablet or capsule designed to release its drug slowly, or at a particular time or place, rather than all at once after swallowing.
  • tabletA solid dosage form made by pressing a powder of the active ingredient and other substances into a small flat or round shape, which is usually swallowed.
  • capsuleA solid dosage form in which the medicine is held inside a small shell, usually made of gelatin, that dissolves in the stomach or intestine.
  • proton pump inhibitorA medicine that strongly reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes, used for heartburn, reflux and stomach ulcers and to protect the stomach from other drugs.

More terms: Dosage Forms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.