Have you ever popped a tablet for fever, cold, or headache and wondered, “Yeh kaise kaam karta hai?” (How does this actually work?) We often take tablets without thinking twice — paracetamol for fever, crocin for headache, or maybe an antibiotic when the doctor prescribes it. But how exactly does that small pill know where to go and what to do? In this article, let’s break it down in the most simple way possible, so that next time you take a tablet, you’ll know what’s happening inside your body.
What is a Tablet?
Before we dive into how it works, let’s understand what a tablet actually is.
A tablet is a solid form of medicine, usually made by compressing powders of one or more medicines along with some fillers or binders to hold everything together. Think of it like making laddoos — you mix the ingredients and shape them into a round sweet. Similarly, manufacturers mix the medicinal ingredient (called the active ingredient) with substances that help hold it together and make it easy to swallow.
How Does a Tablet Work in Our Body?
Let’s walk through the journey of a tablet after you swallow it.
1️⃣Swallowing and Breaking Down
When you take a tablet with water (always take tablets with water, dost!), it first lands in your stomach. The stomach has acid — yes, the same acid that helps digest food — and this acid helps to break down the outer layer of the tablet.
Some tablets are designed to break down quickly (like disprin), while others have a special coating so they don’t dissolve in the stomach acid but pass into the intestine. These are called enteric-coated tablets.
Example: If you’ve ever taken iron tablets for anaemia (common in India), you’ll know that some of them have coatings to reduce stomach upset.
2️⃣Absorption into Bloodstream
Once the tablet breaks down into small particles, the active ingredient is released. This active ingredient is what actually helps you feel better.
From your stomach or small intestine, the medicine gets absorbed into your blood. The walls of the stomach and intestine have tiny blood vessels that pick up the medicine and carry it into your bloodstream.
3️⃣Travel to Target Area
Once in your blood, the medicine travels through your body like a passenger in a train — moving through veins and arteries to reach the part where it is needed.
Example: Say you have a headache because of stress after a long day at office ya traffic in Bangalore. The painkiller you take will go through your blood and act where the pain signals are coming from.
4️⃣Doing Its Job
When the medicine reaches the target area, it binds to specific cells or chemicals and starts working. Different tablets work differently:
- Paracetamol reduces chemicals that cause fever and pain.
- Antibiotics like amoxicillin kill bacteria causing infections.
- Antacids neutralise stomach acid to relieve acidity (hello, post-biryani acidity!)
5️⃣Breakdown and Removal
Once the medicine has done its job, your body doesn’t need it anymore. So, your liver and kidneys work together to break it down and remove it. The broken-down medicine leaves your body through urine or stool.
What Affects How a Tablet Works?
A lot of things can affect how well a tablet works.
1️⃣Food or Empty Stomach
Some tablets work better on an empty stomach, while others should be taken after food.
Example: Iron tablets are better absorbed on an empty stomach, but since they can cause nausea, doctors often advise taking them after food.
2️⃣Type of Tablet
- Fast-dissolving tablets (like disprin) start working quickly.
- Sustained-release tablets release medicine slowly over time — like BP tablets that you take once a day.
3️⃣Your Age, Weight, and Health
An elderly person’s body may handle tablets differently than a teenager’s. Similarly, people with kidney or liver problems may process medicines slower.
Some Common Indian Examples
Let’s look at some familiar tablets and how they work:
1️⃣Paracetamol (Crocin, Calpol)
Used for fever and mild pain. Works by blocking substances in the body that cause pain and fever.
2️⃣Cetirizine (Cetzine)
If you’re sneezing like crazy during Delhi’s pollen season, cetirizine helps by blocking allergy-causing chemicals (histamine).
3️⃣Antibiotics (Amoxicillin)
If you’ve had a bad throat infection, you’ve probably taken amoxicillin. It kills the bacteria causing the infection.
4️⃣Pantoprazole / Omeprazole
Commonly taken for acidity — these reduce the acid your stomach produces.
Are All Tablets the Same?
No, not at all! Different tablets are designed in different ways:
|
Type
of Tablet |
What
it means |
Example |
|
Immediate-release |
Immediate-release |
Disprin |
|
Sustained-release |
Slow
and steady release |
Prolonged
BP medicines |
|
Enteric-coated |
Doesn’t
dissolve in stomach |
Doesn’t
dissolve in stomach |
|
Chewable |
You
chew before swallowing |
Vitamin
C tablets |
|
Sublingual |
Keep
under tongue |
Sorbitrate
(for chest pain) |
Tips to Take Tablets the Right Way
Always follow doctor’s advice. Don’t self-medicate, yaar.
- Swallow tablets with water, not chai, coffee, or juice — these can affect how the tablet works.
- Don’t crush or chew unless told. Some tablets have coatings for a reason.
- Don’t skip doses. Complete the course, especially for antibiotics.
- Store tablets properly. Keep away from moisture, sunlight, and children’s reach.
How Long Does It Take for a Tablet to Work?
It depends on the tablet.
- Painkillers like paracetamol: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Antibiotics: You may feel better in a day or two, but complete the full course
- Acidity tablets: Relief in a few hours
If you don’t feel better, don’t keep popping tablets. Check with your doctor.
Are Tablets Always Safe?
Most tablets are safe if you take them correctly. But they can cause side effects sometimes:
- Paracetamol overdose can harm your liver.
- Antibiotics overuse can make bacteria resistant.
- Painkillers (NSAIDs) can cause stomach ulcers if misused.
So, always take tablets in the correct dose and duration.
How Are Tablets Made?
Here’s a simple overview:
- The active ingredient and fillers are mixed like atta (flour) and water.
- The mixture is pressed into shape — like pressing puri dough into a circle.
- Coatings or colours may be added.
A Word on Ayurvedic and Herbal Tablets
India has a rich tradition of Ayurveda, and many herbal tablets are available, like ashwagandha or triphala tablets.
These too work similarly — the active plant ingredients are extracted, made into a powder, and compressed into a tablet. But remember, natural doesn’t always mean safe. Consult a doctor, especially if combining with allopathic medicines.
Conclusion
So the next time you take a tablet — whether it’s for that annoying headache, pesky cold, or acidity after spicy street food — you’ll know exactly what’s going on inside your body. That tiny tablet goes on a big journey: breaking down, entering your blood, reaching where it’s needed, doing its work, and finally saying goodbye via your liver and kidneys.
Moral of the story? Use tablets wisely, follow your doctor’s advice, and treat your body with care.