In modern medicine, the easiest way to administer medication is through tablets or capsules. Tablets account for more than 80% of all dosage forms administered — mostly due to their ease of manufacture, drug stability, and dosing convenience. To create tablets or capsules, several components and a defined manufacturing process are required.
For capsules, the type of encapsulation must be decided first: pH-coated outer shells, gelatin-based, or plant-derived. For tablets, three different granulation techniques exist. The technique chosen depends on the formulation goals: producing tablets strong enough to survive packaging and shipping, ensuring uniform weight and composition across each lot, and creating chemically and physically stable components that remain viable over long periods.
Types of Tablet Manufacturing Techniques
Wet Granulation
Requires a binder — an inactive excipient that holds the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and other components together. The API and binder are mixed into a damp mass, divided into pellets through a mesh screen, dried, then screened and mixed with lubricants and disintegrants before final compression into tablets.
Dry Granulation
Compacts all powder mixtures together then breaks them into granules. Used when components already have sufficient binding properties (no binder needed), or when ingredients are heat-sensitive and cannot be exposed to the drying step in wet granulation. Powders are compressed into slugs, then sieved and compressed into tablets.
Direct Compression
The most cost-effective method. All components — excipients, disintegrants, and lubricant — are mixed together and compressed directly into tablets without any additional granulation step. The physical and chemical properties of the API determine whether this approach is suitable.
Apricot Kernel Extract (Amygdalin) as the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
In Novodalin's Vitamin B17 tablets, the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient is Apricot Kernel Extract standardized to 98% Amygdalin. This extract is combined with a small number of pharmaceutical excipients that ensure tableting performance, bioavailability, and shelf stability.
Two tablet formulations have been used across Novodalin's product line:
Original Formulation
- Apricot Kernel Extract 98% Amygdalin (API)
- Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) (filler/binder)
- Magnesium Stearate (lubricant)
Current Formulation
- Apricot Kernel Extract 98% Amygdalin (API)
- Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) (filler/binder)
- Dicalcium Phosphate (filler/flow enhancer)
"In this formulation we have an API (Apricot Kernel Extract 98% Amygdalin), a filler (Microcrystalline Cellulose or Dicalcium Phosphate), and a lubricant — allowing for successful tableting as well as enhanced bioavailability and absorption."
Six Types of Excipients in Tablets and Capsules
There are six categories of ingredients beyond the active pharmaceutical ingredient that can appear in a tablet or capsule, depending on the manufacturing method:
- Binders (excipients) — inactive ingredients that hold all components together.
- Disintegrants — excipients that cause the tablet to break apart quickly once ingested, enabling bioavailability of the active ingredient.
- Filler-diluents — increase the volume of the tablet, making it a manageable size for consumption.
- Coating — protects the tablet from moisture before ingestion and provides a pleasant taste.
- Lubricants — improve powder flow during tableting and prevent sticking in machinery.
- Solubilizers — enhance drug stability and effectiveness once ingested.
Popular Excipients in Amygdalin Tablets
Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)
A white, crystalline powder made of agglomerated porous particles, primarily used as a filler in direct compression. Popular for its compatibility at low pressures and high dilution potential. MCC is compatible with most drugs and has excellent moisture content, particle size, bulk density, and surface area characteristics. One limitation is potential poor flow when combined with other powders — this is easily offset by pairing it with Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, which enhances flowability.
Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate
Increasingly used in pharmaceutical products for its low cost, enhanced flow, and compression characteristics. Typically used as a filler or binder and can be combined with other excipients such as Magnesium Stearate without affecting its binding properties. It complements MCC by resolving its flow limitation.
Magnesium Stearate (MS)
The most commonly used pharmaceutical lubricant, in use since the 19th century. Effective at low concentrations, it reduces friction during tablet compaction, enhances powder flow, and prevents sticking in machinery. Its fatty acid tail creates a waxy protective layer around particles that guards against water penetration — essential for shelf stability. One important note: excessive Magnesium Stearate creates too complete a waxy film, which can interfere with particle bonding and reduce the tablet's ability to dissolve once ingested. Precise concentration is key.
Should I Buy Capsules or Tablets?
Both tablets and capsules are taken orally. When swallowed, an uncoated tablet begins dissolving in the stomach; a coated tablet begins dissolving in the intestine. From there, the active ingredient travels across the gut wall and into the bloodstream before reaching its target. Capsules follow the same path. The key differences come down to formulation flexibility, taste, and shelf life.
Advantages of Tablets
- Can pack more active ingredient per unit size than a capsule
- Easier to split to achieve a specific dose
- Longer shelf life than capsules
- Better physical and chemical stability
- More diverse in available sizes and shapes
Advantages of Capsules
- No medicinal taste
- Accommodates powders, liquids, and semi-solids
- Smooth surface makes swallowing easier
- Can mask odors and unpleasant flavors
- Hard-shell or soft-shell options available
A tablet is formed by compressing the active ingredient in powder form with a binder substance into the desired shape and size. A capsule encloses its active ingredients within an outer shell: hard-shelled capsules contain dry powder or miniature pellets and consist of a smaller-diameter body sealed with a larger-diameter cap; soft-shelled capsules are used primarily for oils and ingredients dissolved or suspended in oil.
Both forms of Novodalin Vitamin B17 contain the same pharmaceutical-grade amygdalin extract. Choosing between them comes down to personal preference. If you want the flexibility to split a dose or prefer maximum ingredient density, tablets are the better choice. If you prefer an easier swallow without any taste, capsules are ideal.
Shop Authentic Novodalin B17
Available in tablets, capsules, injectable, and cream — all manufactured to GMP standards with ≥98% pure amygdalin. Ships next business day.
As with any supplement, consult your doctor before making changes to your regimen. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
References
Thomas Processing. Types of Tablet Manufacturing Process Techniques. thomasprocessing.com
Sedpharma. Overview of Capsule Manufacturing Process. sedpharma.com
Pharma Excipients. Disintegrants — Pharmaceutical Excipients. pharmaexcipients.com
Jivraj M, Martini LG, Thomson CM. "An overview of the different excipients useful for the direct compression of tablets."
Zarmpi P, Flanagan T, Meehan E, Mann J, Fotaki N. "Biopharmaceutical aspects and implications of excipient variability in drug product performance."
Moreton RC. "Magnesium Stearate — Its Importance and Potential Impact on Dissolution of Oral Solid Dosage Forms."
Siow C, Lam KH, Tan BX. "Evaluation of the Impact of the Concentration and Mixing Time of Magnesium Stearate in Tablet Formulations — A Design of Experiment (DOE) Approach."
