Medications encased in a gelatin shell that are taken by mouth are called:

Medications encased in a gelatin shell that are taken by mouth are called:

• A. Caplets
• B. Tablets
• C. Pills
• D. Capsules

Answer: (D)

The key idea is identifying the dosage form by how the medicine is packaged. A capsule is a dosage form where the active ingredient is enclosed in a gelatin shell, which is designed to dissolve in the stomach or intestines after swallowing. Capsules can be hard shells with dry powder or pellets or soft shells with a liquid fill. This description specifically matches capsules. Caplets are just a smooth, elongated tablet, not a gelatin shell. Tablets are compressed solid doses, not gelatin-encased. Pills is a historical term that doesn’t specify gelatin encapsulation. So the description fits capsules because the defining feature is the gelatin shell.

The key idea is identifying the dosage form by how the medicine is packaged. A capsule is a dosage form where the active ingredient is enclosed in a gelatin shell, which is designed to dissolve in the stomach or intestines after swallowing. Capsules can be hard shells with dry powder or pellets or soft shells with a liquid fill. This description specifically matches capsules.

Caplets are just a smooth, elongated tablet, not a gelatin shell. Tablets are compressed solid doses, not gelatin-encased. Pills is a historical term that doesn’t specify gelatin encapsulation. So the description fits capsules because the defining feature is the gelatin shell.