Ideal Characteristics of a Film Coating Polymer
Solubility
For conventional film coating the polymer should have good solubility in aqueous fluids to facilitate the dissolution of the active ingredient from the finished dosage form. However, where a modified-release action is required then a polymer system of low water solubility or permeability will be chosen.
Viscosity
Polymers should have a low viscosity for a given concentration. This will permit the easy, trouble-free spraying of their solutions in industrial film coating equipment.
Permeability
Film coating can be used to optimize the shelf-life of a tablet preparation, as some polymers are efficient barriers against the permeability of water vapour or other atmospheric gases. These properties vary widely between the individual polymers.