What is the purpose of coating in enteric-coated tablets?

The primary purpose of enteric coating is to delay the release of the medication until it reaches the intestine. This is important for several reasons. Many medications can be irritating to the stomach lining or can be broken down by gastric acid, rendering them ineffective if released too soon. By using an enteric coating, the tablet is protected from the acidic environment of the stomach, allowing it to pass through undissolved until it reaches the more neutral pH of the intestines where it can then dissolve and be absorbed effectively.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary function of enteric coatings: enhancing flavor is not a relevant aspect of coating, while improving color is more a matter of aesthetics than functionality. Making tablets easier to swallow could involve different kinds of coatings or formulations, but this is not the primary purpose of enteric coatings specifically. Thus, the correct understanding of enteric coatings focuses on their role in protecting the medication until it reaches its intended site of absorption in the intestine.