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Size, Shape, and Other Physical Attributes of Generic Tablets and Capsules

FinalCenter for Drug Evaluation and Research10/03/2022

Description

Tablets and capsules are widely manufactured and prescribed and may provide a number of advantages over other dosage forms, including ease of storage, portability, ease of administration, and accuracy in dosing.

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

4
RLD

Reference Listed Drug used as the basis for an ANDA submission.

Generic oral tablets

Agency recommends that generic oral tablets and capsules intended to be swallowed intact should be of a similar size to the corresponding RLD

Reference Listed Drug

The drug product identified by the applicant for comparison; Comparison of ANDA product to RLD for pH adjuster differences

Generic Tablets and Capsules

Subject of the guidance document

Stakeholders

1
ANDA holder

Entity responsible for maintaining generic drug labeling

Regulatory Context

Attributes

4
Cross sectional area

strategy to quantify changes in shape

Largest dimension

refers to the length of oval or capsule shaped tablets or the diameter of round tablets

Shape

Physical attribute affecting esophageal transit

Size

Physical attribute affecting patient compliance and swallowing

Identified Hazards

Hazards

2
Aspiration

adverse events related to swallowing difficulties

Prolonged esophageal transit time

Risk associated with larger tablets and capsules

Related CFR Sections (2)

See Also (8)

Size, Shape, and Other Physical Attributes of Generic Tablets and Capsules | Guideline Explorer | BioRegHub