Coated vitamins are nutritional supplements that have a surface applied specifically for appeal and identification purposes, as well as to maintain vitamin stability and ease of swallowing and to prevent stomach upset. Sugar coating was one of the earliest forms of pill coating and covered bad tastes; film coating is the most commonly used form of pill coating. A doctor may recommend for or against a specific coating, depending upon a patient's condition.
Film
Film coatings are made from a thin layer of polymers sprayed directly on the vitamin. The first type of polymers were made from liquid chemical solvents that produced a bad taste and undesirable odor. They also created problems with uniform coating, handling and manufacturer safety. Liquid solvent coatings have been replaced with water-based coatings that are much trickier to use. The water in the coating must be removed before it can compromise the appearance and stability of the vitamin.
Enteric
Enteric coatings are made from polymers that are inert; they are not digested and pass through the body. These coatings are used for medications and vitamins that must hold up in stomach acid to pass into the small intestine for best absorption. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends against enteric-coated multivitamin and mineral supplements for patients recovering from bariatric surgery.
Compression
Compression coating is used for vitamins where modified or timed release works best. The vitamins do not dissolve at once, but release over a prescribed time period for best efficacy. The vitamin is covered with a granular surface in a dry coating process. Compression coatings can cap or lift away from the preformed vitamin core if the core is overheated during the drying stage before coating.
Gelatin
Gelatin-coated vitamins are compressed vitamins coated with an outer gelatin surface. The slickness of the vitamin surface promotes ease of swallowing and may protect the stomach against upset. While some gelatins are made from boiled animal parts, pharmaceutical-grade gelatin can be made from nonanimal sources. These tablets are marked with a "K" or "Pareve" for kosher dietary purposes.
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