ENTERIC-COATED Meaning and
Definition
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Enteric-coated refers to a pharmaceutical or dietary supplement formulation that is specifically designed to withstand the corrosive environment of the stomach and only disintegrate or release its active ingredients in the intestines. The term "enteric" refers to the small intestine (also known as the enteron or enters), which is the portion of the gastrointestinal tract located between the stomach and the large intestine.
Enteric-coated products are commonly used to protect drugs or supplements from the acidic environment of the stomach, as some compounds can be destroyed or degraded by gastric juices. The coating acts as a barrier, preventing the drug or supplement from dissolving until it reaches the alkaline environment of the intestines.
Typically, enteric coatings are made from materials such as cellulose acetate phthalate or methacrylic acid copolymer, which are resistant to gastric acid but dissolve or become permeable in the higher pH environment of the intestines. This delayed release mechanism ensures that the active ingredients are released at the desired site of absorption, allowing for optimal therapeutic effects.
Enteric-coated formulations are commonly used for medications that may cause irritation to the stomach lining, or for drugs that are absorbed more efficiently in the intestines. They are also employed to protect sensitive active ingredients from degradation, enhance drug stability, and improve patient compliance by reducing the likelihood of stomach-related side effects such as gastric discomfort or nausea.
Overall, enteric-coated refers to a specialized formulation technique that ensures the time- and site-specific release of drugs or supplements in order to maximize their effectiveness and minimize potential harm.
Common Misspellings for ENTERIC-COATED
- wnteric-coated
- snteric-coated
- dnteric-coated
- rnteric-coated
- 4nteric-coated
- 3nteric-coated
- ebteric-coated
- emteric-coated
- ejteric-coated
- ehteric-coated
- enreric-coated
- enferic-coated
- engeric-coated
- enyeric-coated
- en6eric-coated
- en5eric-coated
- entwric-coated
- entsric-coated
- entdric-coated
- entrric-coated
Etymology of ENTERIC-COATED
The word "enteric-coated" is derived from two components: "enteric" and "coated".
The term "enteric" refers to the intestines, particularly the small intestine. It comes from the Greek word "enteron", meaning intestine or bowels. In medical terminology, "enteric" is used to describe anything relating to the intestines, including their physiology and diseases.
The word "coated" refers to something covered or enclosed with a thin layer or coating. It is derived from the past participle of the verb "coat", which originally comes from the Old French word "cote" meaning coat or outer garment. In the context of medications or pharmaceuticals, a coating is often applied to control the release or protect the active ingredient in the stomach until it reaches the small intestine, where it can be absorbed effectively.
