Oral solid dosage forms

Question 1

Why is chewing a Gaviscon tablet beneficial to the action of the medication?

Answer 1

It increases the surface area of the tablet

Question 2

Why can the Gaviscon tablet not be swallowed whole?

Answer 2

It is too big and it is difficult to breakdown in the stomach as a tablet.

Question 3

What are the three functions of mannitol in Gaviscon tablets?

Answer 3

Sweetener
Aids solubility of tablet
Texture - pleasant feel in mouth

Question 4

What additional types of excipients are needed in a chewable tablet compared to a standard tablet, identify these in this formulation.

Answer 4

Sweetener - Mannitol

Flavourings - peppermint

Question 5

How does an aspirin dispersible tablet dissolve?

Answer 5

Starts fizzing slightly.

Disintegrates slowly and is dispersed throughout the water

Question 6

Identify the excipient added to Aspirin tablets to make the product more palatable and how is this achieved?

Answer 6

Sodium Saccharin - sugar - sweetener

Question 7

Identify the excipient used in aspirin dispersible tablet to aid dissolution. What type of excipient is this and explain the mechanism by which this occurs.

Answer 7

Starch swells in contact with water and expands, breaking the tablet apart
Calcium carbonate reacts with citric acid to release carbon dioxide which causes it to break apart

Question 8

What are the benefits to the patient of this type of formulation as opposed to standard tablets?

Answer 8

Easier if they have difficulty swallowing tablets e.g. young people/elderly