![]() ![]() It takes practice to ensure that each capsule has the same amount of drug. However, there is a tendency to pack the capsules in the middle of the plate with more powder than the capsules along the periphery. The machine has the advantage of filling many capsules in a timely manner. All of the caps are then simultaneously returned to the capsule bodies, and the closed capsules are removed from the machine. These two processes are repeated over and over again until the capsule bodies are filled with the powder. The powder is spread evenly over the plate, and the comb is used to tamp and pack the powder into the capsules. Some manufacturer’s have special shakers that will also help spread the powder and fill the capsules. The formulation powder is poured onto the plate and special spreaders and combs are used to fill the individual capsules. Then the plates are adjusted again so that the capsule bodies will “drop” into place so that the tops are flush with the working surface of the plate. The caps remain in place in the top of the machine for later use. First, the plates are adjusted to hold the capsule bodies in place while the caps are removed all at one time. There are plates on the machine base that can be adjusted. Most machines come with a capsule loader which correctly aligns all of the capsules in the machine base. Capsules are first loaded into the machine. Each manufacturer’s machine is slightly different in its operation, but the series of operations is the same. The most sure method of protecting the capsule is to wear finger cots or rubber gloves.Ĭapsule machines are available for filling 50, 100, and 300 capsules at a time. The capsules do not come in contact with the fingers. An alternative method is to use the base of one capsule as a holder for other bases during the filling operation. The simplest method by which a capsule may be kept free of moisture during compounding is to wash the hands well, dry them, and keep the fingers dry by stripping a towel through the cleansed fingers until warmth is felt. Also, since some fill material will likely be lost in the process of punching capsules, the pharmacist generally calculates for the preparation of at least one extra capsule to insure enough fill for the last capsule. In this way you avoid preparing the wrong number of capsules and at the same time avoid contaminating the empty capsules with drug particles that cling to your hands. It is a good practice to remove from the stock container the exact number of empty capsules needed before you begin filling them. View a video demonstration on capsule punching The filled capsule is tapped so that no air spaces are visible within the contents. Powder is added or removed until the correct weight has been placed in the capsule. Each filled capsule is weighed using an empty capsule as a counterweight. The base of the capsule is held vertically and the open end is repeatedly pushed or “punched” into the powder until the capsule is filled the cap is then replaced to close the capsule. The powder is placed on a powder paper or ointment slab and smoothed with a spatula to a height approximately half the length of the capsule body. The ingredients are triturated to the same particle size and then mixed by geometric dilution. To hand fill capsules at the prescription counter, the pharmacist generally uses the “punch” method. They may be difficult for some people to swallow.They are subject to the effects of relative humidity and to microbial contamination. ![]()
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