Capsules are solid dosage forms in 1 the drug is enclosed within either a hard or soft soluble container or “shell.” The shells are usually formed from gelatin; however, they also may be made from starch or other suitable substances. Hard-shell capsule sizes range 2 No. 5, the smallest, to No. 000, which is the largest, except for veterinary sizes. However, size No. 00 generally is the largest size acceptable to patients. Size 0 hard gelatin capsules having an elongated body (known as size OE) also are available, which provide greater fill capacity without an increase in diameter. Hard gelatin capsules 3 of two, telescoping cap and body pieces. Hard-shell capsules typically are filled with powder, beads, or granules. Inert sugar beads (nonpareils) may be coated 4 active ingredients and coating compositions that provide extended-release profiles or enteric properties. Alternatively, larger-dose active ingredients themselves may be suitably formed into pellets and then coated. Semisolids or liquids also may be 5 into hard-shell capsules; however, when the latter are encapsulated, one of the sealing techniques must be employed to prevent leakage. Powder mixtures that tend to liquefy may be dispensed in hard-shell capsules if an 6 such as magnesium carbonate, colloidal silicon dioxide, or other suitable substance is used. Potent drugs are often mixed with an inert diluent before being filled into capsules. Where two mutually incompatible drugs are 7 together, it is sometimes possible to place one in a small capsule and then enclose it with the second drug in a larger capsule. Incompatible drugs also can be separated by placing coated pellets or tablets, or soft-shell capsules of one drug into the capsule shell before adding the second drug. Soft-shell capsules made from gelatin or other suitable material require large-scale production methods. The soft gelatin shell is somewhat 8 than that of hard-shell capsules and may be plasticized by the addition of a polyol such as sorbitol or glycerin. The ratio of dry plasticizer to dry gelatin determines the “hardness” of the shell and may be varied to accommodate environmental conditions as well as the nature of the contents. Like hard shells, the shell composition may 9 approved dyes and pigments, opaquing agents such as titanium dioxide, and preservatives. Flavors may be added and up to 5% sucrose may be included for its sweetness and to produce a chewable shell. Soft gelatin shells normally contain 6% to 13% water. In most cases, soft-shell capsules are filled with liquid 10 . Typically, active ingredients are dissolved or suspended in a liquid vehicle. Classically, an oleaginous vehicle such as a vegetable oil was used; however, nonaqueous, water-miscible liquid vehicles such as the lower-molecular-weight polyethylene glycols are more common today due to fewer bioavailability pr