What does "enteric-coated" mean regarding medication?

When a medication is described as "enteric-coated," it means that the coating is specifically designed to prevent the medication from dissolving in the stomach. The purpose of this coating is to protect the medication from the acidic environment of the stomach, allowing it instead to dissolve in the more neutral pH of the intestines. This can be beneficial for medications that may cause stomach irritation, or for those that require activation in the intestines for proper absorption.

The enteric coating ensures that the medication reaches the intestine intact, where it can be effectively absorbed. This is essential for medications that could be degraded by stomach acid or that need to interact with the intestinal lining for efficacy.