SUGAR COATING

Sugar coating has long been the traditional method of coating pharmaceutical dosage forms. The
process has its origin in the confectionery industry and has been used in the pharmaceutical
industry since the late 19th century. The process of sugar coating involves the successive
deposition of aqueous sugar solution on the tablet cores as they are rotated and tumbled in a
revolving pan by spraying sugar solution or suspensions into pans and drying off the solvent.

Sugar coating is used in immediate release applications to mask unpleasant taste and odour of
some drugs or to improve aesthetic qualities of the product. It should be understood that the
coating process will add some time to the overall disintegration of the tablet and may impact
drug dissolution. This effect should be considered when formulating the core to ensure that the
product meets disintegration and dissolution requirements stated in official compendia. For an
enteric or sustained-release sugar-coated product, the formulation problem may become more
complex to meet USP tablet disintegration and dissolution specifications. The selection of the
core tablet and coating materials becomes more important for these applications and requires
proper evaluation to assure long-term chemical and physical stability.

Sugar coatings are essentially aqueous based, unless a seal coat (e.g., alcoholic confectioners
glaze) is required to protect the core tablet from water used in the sugar-coating process.
Although the sugar-coating process is lengthy and labour intensive, coating materials are
inexpensive and readily available.
Sugarcoating of tablets is not as common in the pharmaceutical industry. Since it has been
replaced by Polymer film coating. The sugar coating is generally water-soluble making it easier
to dissolve quickly when it comes into contact with any liquid medium such as gastrointestinal
fluids. One purpose of the sugar coating is to protect the drug inside the tablet and act as barrier
to external contaminants. It may also hide or mask the unsavoury taste of the drug that some
patients may find unpalatable. Sugarcoating insulates and masks the colour and texture of the
tablet’s core.
Ideal characteristics of sugar-coated tablets
Sugar-coated tablets should have a smooth, rounded contour, with even colour coverage and a
high degree of gloss.
Sugar-coated tablets must meet requirements as specified in official compendia.
Those tablets that have been imprinted should show distinct print with no smudging or broken
print.
Raw materials used in sugar coating
Because sugar-coating process consists of various steps, a variety of additives may be
incorporated into each type of formulation to achieve a particular function. These include:
i. Sucrose, other sugars, and sugar alcohols
As expected, the major ingredient used in sugar-coating process is sugar (primarily sucrose),
although this may be substituted by other sugars and sugar alcohols (such as glucose, lactose,
maltitol, mannitol, isomalt, sorbitol, xylitol, and sugar mixtures such as invert sugar and starch
sugars) for low calorie diabetic products (typically in the candy industry) and for the fact that
sucrose cause dental caries.

Sucrose is used in concentrations ranging between 50-60%, since syrups with a sugar content of
less than 65% are stable at room temperature without crystallization occurring.

ii. Binders
Binders increase the strength and elasticity of the coating by forming bonds and thus a coherent
matrix. Examples of binders used in sugar coating include polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl
pyrrolidone (PVP), carboxymethyl starch, dextrin, acacia gum, gelatin, agar-agar, sodium
alginate, cellulose ethers, and starches.

iii. Fillers
Fillers build up the structure and adds mass to the coatings. E.g., precipitated calcium carbonate,
talc, kaolin, dextrin, powdered acacia, corn starch, and calcium sulfate.

iv. Colorants
Colourants add color to the coatings and cover imperfections which may appear in the tablet
core. Examples include dyes, lakes (aluminum lakes), and pigments (titanium dioxide or other
inorganic coloring agents).

v. Antiadhesives, Lubricants, and Glidants

These materials reduce friction between coated tablets and thus prevent dust formation during
drying. Examples include talc and colloidal silicon dioxide.

vi. Flavoring agents

Flavors improve and enhance the acceptability and palatability of the dosage form in order to
maximize patient compliance. E.g., cinnamon, fruit flavors, etc.

vii. Suspension stabilizers

They prevent phase separation or sedimentation of the coating suspension while it is being
applied during the coating process. Examples include surface-active agents (emulsifying agents,
bentonite) or thickening agents.

viii. Smoothing agents

These materials smoothen out the surface of the coatings by lubricating and binding the fines that
may be created during the coating process. Example includes a combination of syrup and acacia
gum.

ix. Polishing agents

Polishing agents enhance the reflectivity and intensity of the colour of the coatings. Beeswax and
carnauba wax are good examples of polishing agents used in sugar coating process.

Techniques involved in sugar coating

The three techniques commonly used in sugar-coating process include:

a. Plain sugar coating

This technique involves the application of syrup at room temperature. This coating technique
includes 3 steps:

Application of coating formulation onto the tablet cores

Distribution of formulation on the core surfaces, and
Drying to increase the strength of each coating layer.
Note that the time required for distribution and drying is critical to obtain a smooth even coating.

b. Lamination process/ Two-component coating process

Compared to the plain sugar-coating technique, the lamination coating is a more complicated
technique involving two steps:

Application of a syrup or binder solution first in a slight excess amount, and

Dusting with a powder to bind the excess solution
In order to obtain a reasonable weight increase within a short period of time, adjustment must be
made between powder and liquid quantities and process performed by skillful operators.

c. Hot sugar coating

As suggested by the name, hot sugar coating simply involves the application of heated syrup on
tablet core. The syrup is heated above room temperature to reduce the viscosity of the syrup.
Attempts to prevent crystallization of sugar during processing may make this technique more
complicated and more expensive since all equipment parts used must be insulated and heated.