What is MEDCOAT™ used for?
MEDCOAT™ is used to provide tablets with a coating which makes them easier to swallow and improves their taste.
How does MEDCOAT™ work?
The coating makes tablets slippery and contains saliva stimulating ingredients. Together this makes tablets easier to swallow. The coating also masks the taste of tablets and gives them a refreshing taste of citrus. The coating dissolves quickly after intake.
How do you use MEDCOAT™?
The package (pouch) contains a card with 10 applicators. Each applicator can be used to coat two small tablets or one big tablet. When only one tablet should be taken per occasion a new applicator should be used for each tablet. Swallow the coated tablet together with the recommended amount of water shortly after the coating is applied.
MEDCOAT™ can be used for tablets and capsules of different sizes and shapes that should be swallowed.
MEDCOAT™ can also be used for divided tablets.
Follow the instructions carefully. For best results, use MEDCOAT™ at room temperature. Used applicators can be detached from the card.
How do you coat split or divided tablets?
Please note that some tablets should not be split. If you are unsure, always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Round tablets that are split in half should be pushed through the applicators according to the image below.
Oblong tablets that are split in half should be pushed through the applicators according to the image below.
How many tablets can you coat with one pack of MEDCOAT™?
Each applicator (there are a total of 10 applicators per pack) can be used to coat one big or two small tablets. When only one tablet should be taken per occasion, a new applicator should be used for each tablet.
Who can use MEDCOAT™?
MEDCOAT™ can be used by children and adults who experience difficulty with swallowing their tablets and capsules due to the taste, size, surface and form of the tablet.
MEDCOAT™ can be used by children from the time they shall start to swallow whole or divided tablets. Children can often learn to swallow small tablets from the age of 3 to 4 years.
Consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional if you have any queries.
When is MEDCOAT™ recommended for use?
MEDCOAT™ is recommended for use in the following instances:
· When taking large tablets that are sometimes difficult to swallow (e.g. antibiotics)
· When taking tablets that are known to have a bad taste (e.g corticosteroids, malaria medication, etc.)
· When taking tablets that need to be divided or broken, as these may have sharp edges
· When teaching children how to swallow tablets
· When taking many tablets each day (for both chronic or acute conditions)
· When elderly patients find it difficult to swallow their tablets
When should MEDCOAT™ not be used?
MEDCOAT™ is not suitable for use with the following types of tablets:
· Chewable tablets
· Tablets that melt or dissolve in the mouth
· Dispersible or effervescent tablets
· Tablets that must be taken alone, with plain water only
Do not use MEDCOAT™ if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in MEDCOAT™.
How should MEDCOAT™ be stored?
Store at room temperature (25 °C) in the sealed original packaging (pouch).
Protect from sunlight.
Keep out of the reach of children.
What is the shelf life of MEDCOAT™?
Do not use after the expiry date stated on the packaging (pouch).
Use MEDCOAT™ within two months after the package (pouch) has been opened.
Do not use MEDCOAT™ if you notice that the package (pouch) or applicators have been opened or damaged.
Will MEDCOAT™ interact with the tablet or capsule being swallowed?
MEDCOAT™ contains only food classified ingredients that are not known to interact with medicines in such a manner that their effects will be influenced.
Does MEDCOAT™ really make it easier to swallow tablets and capsules?
A randomised, cross-over study¹ has been performed to evaluate the ability of MEDCOAT™ to facilitate the intake of tablets and to camouflage the taste of bitter tablets. On average, 98 % of the respondents in the study stated that it was easier to swallow tablets coated with MEDCOAT™ when compared to identical, uncoated tablets.
All of the respondents stated that
MEDCOAT™ could completely camouflage the bitter taste of a tablet.
What does MEDCOAT™ contain?
Sweetening agent (maltitol syrup), vegetable fat (palm fruit pulp; coconut pulp), acidity regulator (citric acid), emulsifier (sugar esters of fatty acids), gelatine (porcine), colourant (curcumin), flavourant (lemon and lime extract).
Typical Nutritional Information:
|
Per 100 g |
Per serving (0.58 g) |
| Energy |
1510 KJ / 365 kcal |
8.8KJ / 2.1 kcal |
| Protein |
1g |
0.007g |
| Carbohydrates |
69g |
0.4g |
| of which sugar |
0 g |
0 g |
| of which polyols |
69 g |
0.4 g |
| Fat |
21 g |
0.12 g |
| of which saturated fat |
15 g |
0.08 g |
| Fibre |
0 g |
0 g |
| Sodium |
0 g |
0 g |
Does MEDCOAT™ contain gluten or lactose?
No, MEDCOAT™ does not contain any gluten or lactose.
Is MEDCOAT™ sugar-free?
Yes, MEDCOAT™ is sugar-free. It is sweetened with maltitol syrup.
Does MEDCOAT™ contain any artificial flavouring or colouring agents?
No, MEDCOAT™ does not contain artificial flavouring or colouring agents.
Is it possible to remove the MEDCOAT™ coating from tablets and capsules once they have been coated?
Use a dry napkin to remove the MEDCOAT™ coating from tablets or capsules.
Reference:
1. Virgilijus Uloza, Ingrida Uloziene, Egle Gradauskiene. A randomized cross-over study to evaluate the swallow-enhancing and taste-masking properties of a novel coating for oral tablets. Pharm World Sci (2010) 32: 420-423.