This updated guide explains what empty gelatin capsules are, common sizes and capacities, their advantages and limits, and safe-practice advice for home filling. It highlights dietary considerations, storage sensitivity, and the need to consult professionals for dosing or specialized release profiles.
What empty gelatin capsules are and how they work
Empty gelatin capsules are two-piece shells made primarily from gelatin (usually bovine or porcine). They dissolve in gastric fluids and release the powder or granules placed inside. That dissolving property makes them a common choice for dietary supplements, herbal powders, and some compounded medications.
Sizes and capacity
These capsules come in standard sizes (000 to 5). Size 00 is one of the most common for supplements and typically holds on the order of several hundred milligrams of powder; exact capacity varies with powder density and packing technique - roughly in the 400-1,000 mg range for many powders .
Advantages and common uses
- Convenience: They make it easier to take bitter or bulky powders without taste.
- Visual check: Many gelatin capsules are translucent, so you can confirm contents visually before closing them.
- Low-cost option: For small runs, empty capsules are an inexpensive way to package samples, short-term supplies, or custom daily doses.
Limitations and safety considerations
Filling capsules at home or in small batches has downsides. Dosing accuracy depends on powder density and how consistently each capsule is packed. Without proper equipment, variance between capsules can be large. Moisture, light, and heat can degrade some ingredients once filled; gelatin itself is sensitive to humidity and temperature and may soften or become brittle under extreme conditions.
Allergic and dietary restrictions matter: gelatin comes from animal sources, so vegetarians, vegans, and certain religious groups may avoid them. Plant-based alternatives such as hypromellose (HPMC) or pullulan are widely available.
Also note: some capsule types are manufactured with enteric coatings or as delayed-release formulations; standard empty gelatin shells are not. If you need acid-resistant or controlled-release behavior, you must use a product designed for that purpose or work with a compounding pharmacist.
Legal and practical advice
- Don't assume home-filled capsules are equivalent to commercially manufactured medicines. Stability, sterility, and consistent potency are not guaranteed.
- Check interactions and safe doses with a healthcare professional before combining supplements or prescription drugs.
- Buy from reputable suppliers and follow storage instructions on humidity and temperature.
About BEEM and niche uses
The original comparison to "BEEM capsules" appears in older texts; that term is unclear in current regulatory and supplier materials. If you see a reference to BEEM in a vendor listing, verify the term and its intended use before relying on it 1.
If you plan to use empty capsules regularly for supplements or compounding, consult a pharmacist or a licensed practitioner for guidance on dosing, stability, and regulatory compliance.
- Confirm standard capacity range for size 00 empty capsules across common powder densities (publishers cite ranges; verify with current pharmacopeia or supplier data).
- Clarify the historical/reference meaning of the term "BEEM capsules" as used in older sources or vendor literature.