What does enteric coated refer to in pharmaceuticals?

Enteric coated refers to a specific formulation designed to allow a tablet to pass through the stomach without dissolving. The primary purpose of this coating is to protect the drug from the acidic environment of the stomach and to ensure that it dissolves in the more alkaline environment of the intestines. This is particularly important for medications that can be irritating to the stomach lining or that are unstable in acidic conditions.

Enteric coating can enhance the absorption of certain drugs and minimize gastrointestinal side effects, making them more effective and better tolerated by patients. Medications that benefit from this type of coating include those that treat gastrointestinal disorders or that require localized action in the intestines.

The other options discuss various other pharmaceutical concepts that do not relate to the protective and targeted nature of enteric coatings.