How to Fill Pill Capsules

Co-authored by Devin McSween Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: October 7, 2024 Fact Checked

Filling your own pill capsules at home can be a great way to incorporate healthy supplements into your diet without spending a lot of money. You'll need to get supplies, including the type and size of capsule you want and herbal fillings to put in them. Filling your capsules by hand is more time-consuming, but less expensive. If you have a bit more money to spend, you can purchase a capsule-filling machine to make tons of capsules quickly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Supplies

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1
Select vegetarian capsules if you have dietary restrictions. Vegetarian capsules are made from poplar trees. They're also a good option if you have other dietary restrictions. Most vegetarian capsules are kosher, halal, and gluten-free.^{[1]
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- You can find vegetarian capsules at your local health food store or online.
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Use gelatin capsules if you don't have dietary restrictions. Gelatin capsules are made from beef gelatin. You won't taste any beef flavor, though! They tend to be slightly cheaper than vegetarian capsules.^{[2]
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- Check a health food store for gelatin capsules, or buy them online.
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3
Choose size 0 capsules for a standard dose. Fillable capsules come in a few different sizes, but the most common is size 0, which is around 20 mm (0.8 cm) long. It holds roughly 500 mg of filler.^{[3]
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- The density and size of the powder may affect how much filler you can fit in a capsule.
- The FDA does not recommend using capsules larger than a size 00, which is around 22 mm (0.86 cm) long. Pills larger than this can be difficult to swallow.^{[4]
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Pick size 1 capsules if you want a smaller pill. Size 1 capsules are slightly smaller than the standard size 0; they are around 18 mm (0.7 in) long. That helps make them easier to swallow.^{[5]
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- Size 1 capsules hold about 20% less than size 0 capsules, so keep that in mind if you're looking at going smaller.
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Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an herbal filler. Always speak to your healthcare provider before taking supplements. Depending on the issue you have and the herbs your healthcare provider recommends, your supplements can help boost your immune system, decrease inflammation, or help with digestion.^{[6]
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- Cayenne is an antioxidant. While it is still being studied, it may be able to help relieve nausea and treat bacterial infections. Putting it in a capsule lets you access its health benefits without potentially burning your mouth.^{[7]
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- Ginger may help you fight common illnesses, like colds, sinus congestion, and headaches. It can also help settle indigestion.^{[8]
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- Oil of oregano (which actually comes from a relative of the marjoram plant) might be able to help relieve pain.^{[9]
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- Turmeric may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Filling the Capsules by Hand

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Pour your filler into a bowl. If you're using a mixture of fillers, pour all of them together and then mix them well. It's okay to have too much filler for the number of capsules you're filling. Just put the leftover filler into a resealable plastic bag and store it in a cool, dark place.
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Pull apart the capsules and set the tops aside. Your capsules will come assembled. To take them apart, hold the bottom of the capsule with one hand, and gently pull the top off with the other. If you're having trouble pulling it straight off, twist the capsule top back and forth until it comes free. Put the top aside.^{[11]
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- The tops of the capsules will be much shorter and wider than the bottoms. This lets the tops slide over the bottoms of the capsules when they're put back together.
3
Scoop up your herbal mix with the bottom of the capsule. Using the bottom of the capsule to scoop up your herbal mixture is the easiest way to fill the capsules and it prevents too much mess. Fill the bottom of the capsule completely.^{[12]
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- Before you fill your capsules, make sure your hands are very clean. You can also wear protective gloves.
Once you've got the bottom of the capsule filled, gently replace the top of the capsule. Hold the bottom of the capsule gently in one hand, then use the other to press the top of the capsule down.^{[13]
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Store the capsules in a cool, dark place. As you finish each capsule, place it in a resealable bag or a jar with a lid. Place the bag or jar in a cool, dark place for storage.^{[14]
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- Make enough capsules for 1 or 2 months at a time. If you make more than that, they may expire before you can take them.
- If you live in a humid place, put silica gel packets in the jar with your pills. You can buy packets online or save ones packaged in shoes, medications, or other products.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Capsule Filling Machine

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1
Select your capsule-filling machine based on capsule size. Each capsule filling machine works with only one size capsule. When you're selecting your machine, make sure you pick one that can accommodate the capsule size you chose.^{[15]
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- You can find capsule-filling machines in most health food stores and online. They cost around $20.
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Place the base of the machine on its stand. Place the base of your machine on the included stand to keep it secure while you're filling the capsules and fusing them together.^{[16]
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- The capsule-filling machine will also come with a top where you load the tops of the capsules and a stand.
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Load the bottom of the capsules into the base of the machine. Pull your capsules apart. Place 1 capsule bottom into each indentation in the bottom of the machine. Don't load more than 1 capsule bottom in each opening.^{[17]
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- The bottom of the capsule is much longer than the top. This lets the top slide over the bottom when they're sealed together.
Put the filler in a measuring cup, then pour the filler over the holes where your capsule bottoms are loaded.^{[18]
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Spread the filler into each capsule bottom. Capsule-filling machines usually come with plastic cards that you can use to fill your capsules. Once you have your filler poured into the holes of the machine base, you'll need to even out the distribution. Use the card to sweep the powder over the openings so the powder is distributed evenly. This will fill your capsules.^{[19]
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- If your machine didn't come with a card, you can use any piece of clean, hard plastic, like a credit card, to even out the powder.
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Use the included tamper to compact your fillers if necessary. If you weren't able to fill the capsules completely on the first try, use the tamper to compress the filler and make more room. Line up the prongs of the tamper with the openings where the capsule bottoms are loaded, and then gently press down so the filler in each capsule bottom is compressed.^{[20]
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- The tamper looks like a flat piece of plastic, with prongs sticking out of one side.
Pour more filler over the holes holding the capsule bottoms, then use the enclosed card to spread it evenly into the holes.^{[21]
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The top of the machine will have openings where you can place the tops of the capsules. Press down gently as you place 1 capsule top in each opening. The tops should be secure in the openings even if you turn the top of the machine upside down.^{[22]
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Remove the base of the machine from the stand. Then gently flip the top of the machine over so the openings in the top and bottom are lined up with each other. Press down on the top of the machine until it stops compressing. At this point, the pills have been fully joined.^{[23]
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When you remove the top of the machine from the base, you'll see the bottom of the capsules poking out of the top of the machine. Push down on the top of the machine top to pop the capsules out.^{[24]
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Tips

If you're concerned about getting the exact same amount of filler in each capsule, it's better to use a capsule-filling machine instead of filling your capsules by hand.

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Warnings

Do not crush prescription medication and mix it with other fillers in homemade capsules. Prescription medications can interact with one another and herbal supplements in dangerous ways.^{[25]
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