The chapter commences with a brief introduction to the technique of sugar coating, which includes a note on the advantages and disadvantages of this method of coating. The various sequential steps involved in sugar coating are covered in some detail, . sealing, subcoating, smoothing, colour coating, polishing and printing. In the section dealing with subcoating several suitable formulations are provided with details regarding application. Traditionally the colour-coating step in sugar coating has received much attention as the aesthetics of this dosage form are most important. Accordingly this section provides considerable depth, including a comparison of previously utilized water-soluble colour systems. | Page 53 3 Sugar coating John SUMMARY The chapter commences with a brief introduction to the technique of sugar coating which includes a note on the advantages and disadvantages of this method of coating. The various sequential steps involved in sugar coating are covered in some detail . sealing subcoating smoothing colour coating polishing and printing. In the section dealing with subcoating several suitable formulations are provided with details regarding application. Traditionally the colour-coating step in sugar coating has received much attention as the aesthetics of this dosage form are most important. Accordingly this section provides considerable depth including a comparison of previously utilized water-soluble colour systems with modern pigment coloured systems. A description of sugar coating faults emphasizes the need for adequate drying conditions during the process to prevent a build up of residual moisture within the tablet. Problems of sucrose inversion and difficulties in polishing are also covered. The chapter concludes with a consideration of how the process of sugar coating tablet. Problems of sucrose inversion and difficulties in polishing are also covered. The chapter concludes with a consideration of how the process of sugar coating can affect the dissolution and stability behaviour of the dosage form. INTRODUCTION The pharmaceutical process of sugar coating remains a widely practised technology despite the interest arising from film-coating techniques since the 1950s. However it is true to say as has been indicated in Chapter 1 that the technology of sugar coating has remained relatively static while attention has been focused increasingly on film coating. Page 54 BASIC PROCESS REVIEW Unlike film coating sugar coating is still a multistep process. Its use of labour is more intensive than in film coating and process operators require a fair degree of skill but less than in former days when more traditional methods prevailed. .
