Talk:caplet

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caplet

According to Wiktionary: "A type of tablet that is meant to be tamper-resistant."

I have seen a number of packs of medication branded as "caplets", and I have no idea why they would be considered any more "tamper-resistant" than ordinary tablets. Although [1] mentions "tamper-resistant", most other definitions just say that they are coated tablets shaped like a capsule (i.e. longer and thinner than regular round tablets), presumably formed that way so as to be easier to swallow(?). Our definition does not even mention these apparently definining characteristics. Can anyone shed any light on this? 86.179.116.13 12:35, 22 October 2011 (UTC)

I've added the sense you and I know. The preexisting one can be nominated at RFV if no one comments here that it's known (and even otherwise if you like).​—msh210℠ (talk) 21:52, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

American Heritage Dictionary seems to think they are tamper-resistant, but all other refs I can find seem to be copies of either this or Wiktionary. Can anyone find a genuine cite for the tamper-resistant suggestion. Most of the claims that I found were for tamper-resistant packaging of the caplets, not for the caplets themselves. Dbfirs 10:55, 7 November 2011 (UTC)

According to [2] and [3] there was a case in the 1980s when certain capsules were tampered with (the halves separated and something harmful substituted), and this caused the company to promote "caplets" as a more tamper-resistant alternative. This is probably where the "tamper-resistant" idea comes from. I don't think our definition "A type of tablet that is meant to be tamper-resistant" really gets this across though, since it seems to be saying that caplets are more tamper-resistant than tablets, not capsules. I don't know to what extent tamper-resistance is a factor in the promotion or use of most caplets today. I have seen cases (e.g. paracetamol) where caplets are apparently an alternative to tablets, and where the only advantage would seem to be ease of swallowing. Apart from the shape, these caplets do seem to have some kind of very thin smooth coating absent from the regular tablets, perhaps again for ease of swallwing. I suppose, being slightly cynical, "caplets" may also present new marketing opportunities even in the absence of any actual benefits. Something like the following definition would make sense to me:

"A smooth-coated tablet shaped like a capsule, used as a tamper-resistant alternative to a capsule, or an easy-to-swallow alternative to regular tablets."

109.151.34.223 04:17, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for your research and suggestion. I propose that we replace the current two senses with the single definition that you give above. Does anyone object? Dbfirs 22:26, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

Since no-one has objected in the last three weeks, I've made the alteration. Does it look OK? Dbfirs 21:26, 5 December 2011 (UTC)

yes. Thanks. Striking.​—msh210℠ (talk) 01:06, 12 December 2011 (UTC)