When preparing compounded capsules, _____ and fillers must be determined.

• A. Packing
• B. Shaking
• C. Pressure
• D. Cracking

Answer: (A)

When preparing compounded capsules, planning what goes into each capsule is essential. The amount of the active drug and the type and amount of filler must be determined so the capsule holds the intended dose and reaches the target weight. Capsule shells have a fixed internal volume, and powders vary in density, particle size, and flow. By calculating the required fill mass and selecting an appropriate diluent, you ensure uniform content across capsules and compatibility with the capsule size. The filler not only brings the mass up to the desired weight but also helps with powder flow and uniform distribution of the active ingredient.

Shaking, pressure, and cracking aren’t central to this planning. Shaking is more about mixing, not ensuring the correct fill weight; pressure relates to compression in tablet formation rather than filling capsules; cracking refers to a failure mode of the shell, not how to determine what to fill with.