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Enteric-coated Pill

From , former About.com Guide

Updated: August 28, 2008

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Definition:

Enteric-coated pills have a special coating to prevent the medication from dissolving in your stomach. This is intended to prevent irritation of the lining of your stomach from the drug or to prevent the drug from being destroyed by the acids in your stomach.

The term “enteric” refers to the small intestine” and implies that your medication will move from your stomach to your small intestine before it dissolves.

Examples:
Ascriptin-Enteric - an enteric-coated form of aspirin used to prevent irritation of the stomach lining.
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