Pill

A pill is a small, solid dosage form designed for oral administration. Pills deliver a precise amount of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) together with inactive ingredients called excipients. They are typically taken with water and can be formulated to mask taste, protect the API from stomach acid, or alter the release profile in the digestive tract. The form and coating influence where and how quickly the drug is absorbed.

Historically, pills were made by shaping powdered ingredients into small spheres or oblong masses and drying them. Today, most common forms are tablets, produced by compressing granulated material; many tablets are coated (sugar, film, or enteric) to improve taste, stability, or release characteristics. A caplet is a tablet that is elongated and smoother. Capsules, in contrast, usually consist of a gelatin shell containing powder, pellets, or liquid; they are not typically classified as pills, though common usage often conflates the terms.

Quality, safety, and labeling of pills are regulated by pharmaceutical authorities to ensure potency, purity, and accurate dosing. Proper storage, adherence to dosage instructions, and awareness of choking risks are important. The word pill originates from pilula, Latin for a small ball, and entered English via French, reflecting the long history of orally administered medicines.