Evaluation of changes in drug particle size during tableting by measurement of dissolution of disintegrated tablets

Three poorly soluble drugs (chloramphenicol, phenacetin and prednisolone) were compressed into tablets of 10% drug content on a physical testing instrument at three different compression pressures. The dissolution profiles were determined by a modification of the U.S.P. method for drug suspensions, granules before compression, disintegrated and intact tablets. By comparison of the dissolution rates for disintegrated tablets with those for granules before compression, or suspensions, it is possible to separate the change in particle size during compression from the pressure-dependent dissolution behaviour of intact tablets. A comparative measurement of dissolution for disintegrated tablets with that for granules provides a useful method for elucidating the particle bonding or cleavage within the tablet during compression.     

Effect of drug content and drug particle size on the change in particle size during tablet compression.

Three size fractions for each of three poorly soluble drugs were compressed into 10 mm diameter tablets of four different dilution ratios. The compression was carried out on a physical testing instrument at four compression levels of 49.0, 98.1, 196.2 and 294.3 MN m-2. The effect of drug content and drug particle size on the change in particle size during tableting was examined by the determination of the dissolution rate for disintegrated tablets. A linear relation was obtained when plotting 1n(T80%) versus drug content. There was a critical particle size where the phenomena of cleavage and bonding during tableting balanced each other, but this varied with drug content.     

A comparative study of the dissolution characteristics of capsule and tablet dosage forms of melt granulations of paracetamol--diluent effects

The dissolution characteristics of melt granulations of paracetamol in capsule and tablet dosage form were compared to determine whether the dissolution characteristics of the granules can be actualized by formulating them as rapidly disintegrating tablets. The term melt granulation refers here to the wax-matrix granules that were formed by triturating the drug powder (paracetamol) with a melted carnauba wax. The matrix granules were admixed with diluents (lactose, alpha-cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose) also in granular form to prevent size separation during encapsulation or tableting. The granules were filled into hard gelatin capsules (mean content weight, 500 +/- 6.2 mg) or tableted (mean weight 500 +/- 5.1 mg, and tensile strength 1.36 +/- 0.2 to 1.7 +/- 0.3 MN/m2). The capsules and tablets were subjected to disintegration and in vitro dissolution tests. The dissolution data were analyzed on the basis of zero, first order rate kinetics and Higuchi square root of time relationship. The results showed that the dissolution profiles were generally consistent with a first order rate kinetics (r = 0.95). The first order dissolution rate constants of capsules and tablets of the matrix granules only (without diluents) were 0.31 +/- 0.02 min(-1) and 0.20 +/- 0.03 min(-1), respectively, indicating faster dissolution from the capsules. Therefore, the dissolution characteristics of the matrix particles were not intact after tableting. Addition of diluents to the capsule formulations had no effect on dissolution rates, whereas in the tablets, dissolution rates increased. For instance, inclusion of a diluent up to 50% w/w in the tablets increased the dissolution rate constants to 0.34 +/- 0.04 min(-1) (lactose), 0.42 +/- 0.02 min(-1) (alpha-cellulose), and 0.46 +/- 0.03 min(-1) (microcrystalline cellulose). Thus, alpha-cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose produced greater enhancer effect on the tablet dissolution rates compared to lactose. Both the capsules and the tablets disintegrated rapidly within 2 to 3 minutes. The dissolution enhancer effect of the diluents in the tablets only, relates to the aqueous swelling of the disintegrated particles.     

Effect of drug content and drug particle size on the change in particle size during tablet compression

Three size fractions for each of three poorly soluble drugs were compressed into 10 mm diameter tablets of four different dilution ratios. The compression was carried out on a physical testing instrument at four compression levels of 49·0, 98·1, 196·2 and 294·3 MN m^?2. The effect of drug content and drug particle size on the change in particle size during tableting was examined by the determination of the dissolution rate for disintegrated tablets. A linear relation was obtained when plotting ***1n(T80%) versus drug content. There was a critical particle size where the phenomena of cleavage and bonding during tableting balanced each other, but this varied with drug content.     

Formulation development and process scale up of a high shear wet granulation formulation containing a poorly wettable drug

Aplaviroc 200 mg tablets were made by a high shear wet granulation process. A formulation and process DOE were carried out to define formulation and process parameters at pilot scale in GSKs R&D facility. During the scale up, several batches made at the production facility dissolved slower than the R&D batches. Extensive studies were conducted to examine a variety of factors to identify the root cause of this small but consistent drop in dissolution. Tablet hardness and lubrication time had a rather surprising impact on drug dissolution. Softer tablets dissolved slower despite disintegrating faster. Lubricating the granules with magnesium stearate for 3 h produced faster dissolving tablets than lubricating the granules for 3 min. Visual observations made during the dissolution trials shed some light on these surprising phenomena. As tablets disintegrated, some fragments floated to the top of the dissolution vessels and remained floating throughout the test. Due to poor wetting and lack of shear force, the drug was entrapped in these floating particles. Softer tablets and "lightly-lubricated" tablets disintegrated faster and had the floating fragments appear earlier in the dissolution trial. Sourcing of magnesium stearate may also play a role on the floating behavior.     

Evaluation of cellulose II powders as a potential multifunctional excipient in tablet formulations

The use of UICEL-A/102 and UICEL-XL, the cellulose II powders, as a multifunctional direct compression excipient in the design of tablets containing hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or ibuprofen (IBU), the model low and high dose drugs, respectively, has been reported. Commercial Oretic and Advil tablets containing HCTZ and IBU, respectively, and tablets made using Avicel PH-102 - the most commonly and widely used commercial direct compression excipient, were used in the study for comparison purposes. Tablets were made by first blending drug with the excipient and then with stearic acid, a lubricant, in a V-blender, followed by compressing into a tablet on a hydraulic press using 105 MPa of compression pressure and a dwell time of 30 s. The crushing strengths of HCTZ tablets decreased in the order Avicel PH-102>UICEL-XL, UICEL-A/102>Oretic and of IBU tablets in the order Avicel PH-102 > or = UICEL-XL approximately UICEL-A/102>Advil. The friability values for all tablets were well below the maximum 1% USP tolerance limit. UICEL-A/102 and UICEL-XL tablets containing HCTZ disintegrated rapidly (<25 s). Oretic tablets disintegrated in about 60 s, while Avicel PH-102 tablets remained intact during 1 h test period. The IBU tablets made using UICEL-A/102 disintegrated the fastest, UICEL-XL and Advil tablets the next, and Avicel PH-102 tablets remained intact. All tablets, except for those of Avicel PH-102, conformed to the USP drug release requirements. These results conclusively show that UICEL-A/102 and UICEL-XL have the potential to be used as filler, binder, and disintegrant, all-in-one, in the design of tablets containing either a low dose or high dose drug by the direct compression method.     

Comparative evaluation of tableting compression behaviors by methods of internal and external lubricant addition: Inhibition of enzymatic activity of trypsin preparation by using external lubricant addition during the tableting compression process

This study evaluated tableting compression by using internal and external lubricant addition. The effect of lubricant addition on the enzymatic activity of trypsin, which was used as a model drug during the tableting compression process, was also investigated. The powder mixture (2% crystalline trypsin, 58% crystalline lactose, and 40% microcrystalline cellulose) was kneaded with 5% hydroxypropyl cellulose aqueous solution and then granulated using an extruding granulator equipped with a 0.5-mm mesh screen at 20 rpm. After drying, the sample granules were passed through a 10-mesh screen (1680 μm). A 200-mg sample was compressed by using 8-mm punches and dies at 49, 98, 196, or 388 MPa (Mega Pascal) at a speed of 25 mm/min. The external lubricant compression was performed using granules without lubricant in the punches and dies. The granules were already dry coated by the lubricant. In contrast, the internal lubricant compression was performed using sample granules (without dry coating) containing 0.5% lubricant. At 98 MPa, for example, the compression level using the external lubricant addition method was about 13% higher than that for internal addition. The significantly higher compressing energy was also observed at other MPas. By comparison, the friction energy for the external addition method calculated based on upper and lower compression forces was only slightly larger. The hardness of tablets prepared using the internal addition method was 34% to 48% lower than that for the external addition method. The total pore volume of the tablet prepared using the external addition method was significantly higher. The maximum ejection pressure using the no-addition method (ie, the tablet was prepared using neither dry-coated granules nor added lubricant) was significantly higher than that of other addition methods. The order was as follows: no addition, external addition, and then internal addition. The ejection energy (EE) for internal addition was the lowest; for no addition, EE was the highest. In the dissolution test, the tablets obtained using external addition immediately disintegrated and showed faster drug release than those prepared using internal addition. This result occurred because the water penetration rate of the tablet using the external addition was much higher. The trypsin activity in tablets prepared using the external addition method was significantly higher than that produced using the internal addition method at the same pressure. All these results suggest that the external addition method might produce a fast-dissolution tablet. Because the drug will be compressed using low pressure only, an unstable bulk drug may be tableted without losing potency.     

Enhanced Drug Dissolution and Bulk Properties of Solid Dispersions Granulated with a Surface Adsorbent

A combination of solid dispersion and surface adsorption techniques was used to enhance the dissolution of a poorly water-soluble drug, BAY 12-9566. In addition to dissolution enhancement, this method allows compression of the granulated dispersion into tablets. Gelucire 50/13 (polyglycolized glycerides) was used as the solid dispersion carrier. Hot-melt granulation was performed to adsorb the melt of the drug and Gelucire 50/13 onto the surface of Neusilin US2 (magnesium alumino silicate), the surface adsorbent. Dispersion granules using various ratios of drug–Gelucire 50/13–Neusilin US2 were thus prepared. The dissolution profiles of BAY 12-9566 from the dispersion granules and corresponding physical mixtures were evaluated using USP Type II apparatus at 75 rpm. The dissolution medium consisted of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) with 1% w/v sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Dissolution of BAY 12-9566 from the dispersion granules was enhanced compared to the physical mixture. The dissolution of BAY 12-9566 increased as a function of increased Gelucire 50/13 and Neusilin US2 loading and decreased with increased drug loading. In contrast to the usually observed decrease in dissolution on storage, an enhancement in dissolution was observed for the dispersion granules stored at 40°C/75% relative humidity (RH) for 2 and 4 weeks. Additionally, the flow and compressibility properties of dispersion granules were improved significantly when compared to the drug alone or the corresponding physical mixture. The ternary dispersion granules were compressed easily into tablets with up to 30% w/w drug loading. The extent of dissolution of drug from these tablets was greater than that from the uncompressed dispersion granules.     

Enhanced drug dissolution and bulk properties of solid dispersions granulated with a surface adsorbent.

A combination of solid dispersion and surface adsorption techniques was used to enhance the dissolution of a poorly water-soluble drug, BAY 12-9566. In addition to dissolution enhancement, this method allows compression of the granulated dispersion into tablets. Gelucire 50/13 (polyglycolized glycerides) was used as the solid dispersion carrier. Hot-melt granulation was performed to adsorb the melt of the drug and Gelucire 50/13 onto the surface of Neusilin US2 (magnesium alumino silicate), the surface adsorbent. Dispersion granules using various ratios of drug-Gelucire 50/13-Neusilin US2 were thus prepared. The dissolution profiles of BAY 12-9566 from the dispersion granules and corresponding physical mixtures were evaluated using USP Type II apparatus at 75 rpm. The dissolution medium consisted of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) with 1% w/v sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Dissolution of BAY 12-9566 from the dispersion granules was enhanced compared to the physical mixture. The dissolution of BAY 12-9566 increased as a function of increased Gelucire 50/13 and Neusilin US2 loading and decreased with increased drug loading. In contrast to the usually observed decrease in dissolution on storage, an enhancement in dissolution was observed for the dispersion granules stored at 40 degrees C/75% relative humidity (RH) for 2 and 4 weeks. Additionally, the flow and compressibility properties of dispersion granules were improved significantly when compared to the drug alone or the corresponding physical mixture. The ternary dispersion granules were compressed easily into tablets with up to 30% w/w drug loading. The extent of dissolution of drug from these tablets was greater than that from the uncompressed dispersion granules.     

A Novel Approach to the Oral Delivery of Micro- or Nanoparticles

A novel oral multiple-unit dosage form which overcame many of the problems commonly observed during the compression of microparticles into tablets was developed in this study. Micro- or nano-particles were entrapped in beads formed by ionotropic gelation of the charged polysaccharide, chitosan or sodium alginate, in solutions of the counterion, tripolyphosphate (TPP) or calcium chloride (CaCl₂), respectively. The described technique did not change the physical properties of the microparticles, and it allowed a high microparticle loading (up to 98%). The ionic character of the polymers allowed pH-dependent release of the microparticles. Chitosan beads disintegrated and released the microparticles in 0.1 N HC1, while calcium alginate beads stayed intact in 0.1 N HC1 but rapidly disintegrated in simulated intestinal fluids. Coating the calcium alginate beads with cellulose acetate phthalate resulted in an enteric drug delivery system. Scanning electron microscopy and dissolution and disintegration tests were used to characterize the microparticle-containing beads. The disintegration time of the beads was studied as a function of the solution viscosity of the polysaccharide, gelation time, counterion concentration, and method of drying.     

Preparation and evaluation of taste masked orally disintegrating tablets with granules made by the wet granulation method

Using furosemide (FU) as a model drug, we examined the wet granulation method as a way to improve the taste masking and physical characteristics of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). In the wet granulation method, yogurt powder (YO) was used as a corrective and maltitol (MA) was used as a binding agent. The taste masked FU tablets were prepared using the direct compression method. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel? PH-302) and mannitol were added as excipients at a mixing ratio of 1/1 by weight. Based on the results of sensory test on taste, the prepared granules markedly improved the taste of FU, and a sufficient masking effect was obtained at the YO/FU ratio of 1 or more. Furthermore, it was found that the masking effect achieved by YO granules made with the wet granulation method was similar to or better than that produced by the granules made with dry granulation method. All types of tablets displayed sufficient hardness (over 3.5×10(-2) kN), and rapidly disintegrating tablets were obtained with YO granules produced at a mixing ratio of FU/YO=1/1, which disintegrated within 20 s. Disintegration time lengthened as the mixing ratio of YO to FU increased. In the mixing ratio of FU/YO=1/1, the hardness of tablets with granules made by the wet granulation method exceeded that of tablets with granules made by the dry granulation method, with minimal differences in disintegration time. The hardness and disintegration time of the tablets with granules made by the wet granulation method could be controlled by varying the compression force. In conclusion, YO was found to be a useful additive for masking unpleasant tastes. FU ODTs with improved taste, rapid disintegration and greater hardness could be prepared with YO-containing granules made by the wet granulation method using MA as a binding agent.     

Observations on the dissolution behavior of a tablet formulation: effect of compression forces

Two test drugs, hydrochlorothiazide and phenylbutazone, were separately incorporated into a standard formulation to study their disintegration and dissolution properties as a function of compression force. The increase in dissolution with force was attributed to the manner in which tablets disintegrated while dissolving. At a fixed press setting, tablets from the same compression cycle showed variations in their dissolution which were in agreement with the observed effects of force on dissolution. A linear correlation between dissolution efficiency and the logarithm of force was found to exist over the compression range studied.     

Oxytetracycline tablet formulations: the effect of wet mixing time, particle size and batch variation on granule and tablet properties.

The wet mixing time has been shown to influence the properties of an oxytetracycline dihydrate tablet formulation, wet granulated with PVP solution. Increased time of wet mixing produced larger, stronger and more dense granules, which compressed into tablets with longer disintegration and dissolution times. Decreased drug particle size aggravated these trends. A decrease in drug particle size also produced larger, stronger and more dense granules. Above an oxytetracycline mean particle diameter of about 6 mum, the tablet dissolution was satisfactory. As the oxytetracycline particle size was decreased further, however, the distintegration and dissolution of the corresponding tablets was markedly slower.     

Evaluation of Preflo® Modified Starches as New Direct Compression Excipients. I. Tabletting Characteristics

This investigation evaluated some new (Preflo^®) and existing commercially available (Starch 1500, Star Tab) modified starches as direct compression excipients. Preflo^® corn starches (CH-10, CH-20, CH-30) and Preflo^® potato starches (P-250, PI-10, PJ-20) were evaluated and compared with respect to their pharmaceutical properties such as particle size, density, flowability, friability, and compression properties. Preflo^® starches showed a high bulk density and good flowability. Preflo^® corn starches and Star Tab formed harder tablets than Preflo^® potato starches and Starch 1500. Data from the Athy-Heckel plots indicated that the Preflo^® starches are soft materials and, unlike Starch 1500, undergo plastic deformation. Tablets containing acetaminophen were also compressed with the starches and disintegration and dissolution studies were conducted. Starch 1500 tablets disintegrated in 3.5 min, whereas none of the Preflo^® starch tablets disintegrated in 30 min. While complete acetaminophen release occurred in 25 min from Starch 1500 tablets, the drug dissolution time from Preflo^® starch tablets varied from 4 to 12 hr, indicating a potential use for some of these starches in solid oral modified-release dosage forms.     

Hot melt coating technology: influence of Compritol 888 Ato and granule size on chloroquine release

The tangential spray technique was used to coat chloroquine granules with Compritol 888 Ato in a fluidized bed (Glatt GPCG-1,1). After validation of the assay method for chloroquine, dissolution tests were carried out on four size fractions obtained from the same batch of granules. The dissolution profiles obtained showed differences in the rate of release between one fraction and another, despite the fact that each of these fractions had been coated with the same quantity of wax. This suggests that the rate of release of the chloroquine may be adjusted by controlling the size of the granules. Furthermore these dissolution profiles were characterized by a rapid release phase followed by a slow release phase. Examination of the surfaces of the granules from the various size fractions under a scanning electron microscope revealed that Compritol did not form a continuous film but existed rather as a lipid environment around the granule. This lipid environment was made up of solidified droplets of the wax which had become piled up on the surface of the granule. Compression of the granules produced tablets which remained intact until chloroquine dissolution was complete. This undicated that the active substance diffused across the Compritol matrix generated during compression. Determination of the dissolution kinetics using the Higuchi model demonstrated the diffusion release mechanism.     

Wax beads as cushioning agents during the compression of coated diltiazem pellets.

Placebo particles were mixed with film-coated diltiazem pellets to evaluate them as cushioning agents during tabletting in order to protect the film coat from damage. The cushioning properties of alpha-lactose monohydrate granules, microcrystalline cellulose pellets and wax/starch beads were evaluated by comparing the dissolution profile of the coated pellets before and after compression (compression force 10 kN). Only the tablet formulations containing wax/starch beads provided protection to the film coat. However, the dissolution rate of tablets formulated with waxy maltodextrin/paraffinic wax placebo beads was too slow as the tablets did not disintegrate. Adding 50% (w/w) drum-dried corn starch/Explotab/paraffinic wax beads to the formulation was the optimal amount of cushioning beads to provide sufficient protection for the film coat and yield disintegrating tablets. Using a compression simulator, the effect of precompression force and compression time on the dissolution rate was found to be insignificant. The diametral crushing strength of tablets containing 50% (w/w) drum-dried corn starch/Explotab/paraffinic wax beads was about 25.0 N (+/-0.3 N), with a friability of 0.4% (+/-0.04%). This study demonstrates that adding deformable wax pellets minimizes the damage to film-coated pellets during compression.     

Fast disintegrating tablets of nisoldipine for intra-oral administration

Abstract

Nisoldipine is a calcium channel blocker with low and variable oral bioavailability. This was attributed to slow dissolution and presystemic metabolism. Accordingly, the objective of this work was to enhance the dissolution rate of nisoldipine to formulate fast disintegrating tablets with rapid dissolution. Binary solid dispersions (SD) were prepared for the drug with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose E5 (HPMC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Pluronic F68 or polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). SD formation increased the dissolution rate compared to pure drug with the corresponding physical mixtures failing to provide the same dissolution enhancement. This indicates that the SD enhanced dissolution is not due to the solubilizing effect of the polymer and can be due to physical change in the drug crystal which was confirmed by thermal analysis. SD with HPMC and PVP were selected for preparation of fast disintegrating tablets as they liberated most of the drug in the first 5?min. HPMC-based tablets disintegrated rapidly and released most of the drug in the first 2?min which correlated with the corresponding SD. In contrast, PVP-based tablets disintegrated slowly with gradual dissolution. This can be attributed to the binding effect of PVP. The study developed fast disintegrating tablet for intra-oral administration.     

Effects of the method of preparation on the compression, mechanical, and release properties of khaya gum matrices

A study has been made of the compression properties of khaya gum matrices and the effects of drug concentration and method of preparation of the material on the compression, mechanical and the drug release characteristics of the matrices. Khaya gum matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression and wet granulation methods. The compression properties of the formulations were assessed using the equations of Heckel and Kawakita. The mechanical properties of the tablets were evaluated using crushing strength and friability of the tablets, whereas the release properties of the tablets were evaluated by using the disintegration and dissolution times. The results obtained show that khaya gum deformed mainly by plastic deformation. The compression properties of the formulations were affected by the concentration of the drug and the method of preparation of the materials for compression. Tablets prepared by wet granulation showed faster onset and higher amount of plastic deformation during compression than those prepared by direct compression. Tablets containing dicalcium phosphate showed higher mechanical strength and disintegration and dissolution times. Wet granulation also increased the mechanical strength of the tablet without significantly affecting the drug release characteristics from the matrix tablets. Thus, the wet granulation method could be useful in the preparation of khaya gum matrix tablet with acceptable mechanical properties and drug release properties.     

Effects of the Method of Preparation on the Compression,Mechanical, and Release Properties of Khaya Gum Matrices

A study has been made of the compression properties of khaya gum matrices and the effects of drug concentration and method of preparation of the material on the compression, mechanical and the drug release characteristics of the matrices. Khaya gum matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression and wet granulation methods. The compression properties of the formulations were assessed using the equations of Heckel and Kawakita. The mechanical properties of the tablets were evaluated using crushing strength and friability of the tablets, whereas the release properties of the tablets were evaluated by using the disintegration and dissolution times. The results obtained show that khaya gum deformed mainly by plastic deformation. The compression properties of the formulations were affected by the concentration of the drug and the method of preparation of the materials for compression. Tablets prepared by wet granulation showed faster onset and higher amount of plastic deformation during compression than those prepared by direct compression. Tablets containing dicalcium phosphate showed higher mechanical strength and disintegration and dissolution times. Wet granulation also increased the mechanical strength of the tablet without significantly affecting the drug release characteristics from the matrix tablets. Thus, the wet granulation method could be useful in the preparation of khaya gum matrix tablet with acceptable mechanical properties and drug release properties.     

溶解-析出原理在减小固体制剂中难溶性药物粒径的应用

利用弱碱性和弱酸性药物在溶液中的溶解度受pH影响的特点,加入适宜的酸化剂(或碱化剂)使之溶解,再加入载体材料和碱化剂(或酸化剂),通过湿法制粒得到粒径较小的难溶性药物固体制剂。采用该方法制备了难溶性药物利培酮、吲达帕胺或格列吡嗪的颗粒剂和片剂,并与采用预粉碎原药制备的产品比较。结果表明,本法能显著减小药物颗粒的粒径,并明显提高难溶性药物片剂的溶出速率。