What is the advantage of an Enteric-coated capsule and tablet?

SGPGI Nursing Officer-2024

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2024

Explanation

Enteric coatings are special polymer layers applied to oral medications that are pH-sensitive.
They are designed to resist the highly acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1.5-3.5).
The coating dissolves only when it reaches the more alkaline environment of the small intestine (pH greater than 5.5).
This protects drugs that would be destroyed by stomach acid (e.g., proton pump inhibitors) and protects the stomach lining from irritating drugs (e.g., aspirin, NSAIDs).

Option B: Masking taste and making a pill easier to swallow are functions of general film or sugar coatings, not the specific pharmacological advantage of an enteric coating.
Option C: The enteric coating is an inert barrier. It does not chemically react with, neutralize, or damage the hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach.
Option D: The temperature of the water used to swallow a pill does not influence the function of the enteric coating. The coating's dissolution is dependent on pH, not temperature.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the purpose and advantage of enteric-coated drug formulations in pharmacology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The most critical nursing intervention is patient education: NEVER crush, break, or chew enteric-coated medications. Doing so destroys the protective layer, which can lead to the drug being inactivated by stomach acid or causing significant gastric irritation and potential ulceration.
Nurses must check if a medication is enteric-coated before administering it through a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube. Crushing it for tube administration is contraindicated.
What if? If a patient with a history of gastric ulcers is prescribed an NSAID (like diclofenac), the enteric-coated formulation is preferred to minimize direct irritation to the stomach lining and reduce the risk of bleeding.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Enteric-coated'.
Recall the meaning of 'enteric', which pertains to the intestines.
This suggests the medication is designed to bypass the stomach and act in the intestines.
Consider why a drug would need to bypass the stomach. The stomach's primary feature is its strong acidity (HCL).
Evaluate the options based on this understanding. The coating must protect the drug from the stomach's acid to allow it to reach the intestines intact.
Select the option that describes protection from the acidic pH of the stomach.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the purpose and advantage of enteric-coated drug formulations in pharmacology.
Stem keywords: Enteric-coated capsule, Enteric-coated tablet, Advantage
Lead-in keywords: What is
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 pp. 37-39, 38-40

E6 Pharmacology Nurses Shanbhag 3e p. 13-15