Enteric coating is a thin film applied to certain pills and capsules. Its main job is to control where and when the contents of a dosage form become available by resisting the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and remaining intact until it reaches a different part of the digestive tract. The coating works with pH-sensitive polymers that stay insoluble at low pH but dissolve as the pH rises. In practice, this means the coating remains closed in the stomach and begins to dissolve once the dosage form encounters the higher pH of the intestines. The exact dissolution point depends on the specific polymer formulation, making the coating a designed feature that influences the release location within the body’s environment. Manufacturers typically apply enteric coating to enable a particular release profile. Common materials include cellulose derivatives and methacrylate-based polymers, as well as polyvinyl acetate phthalate, among others. The coating is added during production using specialized equipment, and can be adjusted with additives to influence dissolution timing, durability, and appearance. This is a formulation choice that designers use to meet specific product goals. When you compare pills, labeling that mentions “enteric-coated” or references an enteric formulation can guide your understanding of how a product is designed to release its contents. Look for information on the label about the coating and its intended environment, and consider how this design feature fits with other products you’re evaluating. This contextual information can help you read product specifications more clearly and make side-by-side comparisons with the coating as a focal point.
