Which coating provides delayed release by resisting gastric fluid and dissolving in the intestine?

• A. Gelatin Coated Tablets
• B. Sugar Coated Tablets
• C. Enteric Coated Tablets
• D. Compression Coated Tablets

Answer: (C)

Delaying release by resisting gastric fluid and dissolving in the intestine is achieved with enteric coating. This coating uses acid-resistant, pH-sensitive polymers that stay intact in the stomach’s acidic environment, so the drug isn’t released there. Once the tablet reaches the small intestine, where the fluid is less acidic, the coating dissolves and the drug is released. This protects acid-labile drugs and can reduce gastric irritation.

Coatings like gelatin or sugar are designed to dissolve in gastric fluid, so they don’t provide this kind of delayed release. Compression-coated tablets can delay release by adding a outer layer, but they aren’t inherently resistant to stomach acid unless specifically formulated with an enteric polymer.