Pharmaceutical tablets and formation of compressed tablets Flashcards
what is the basic set up for a tablet press?
- two punches
- one die
- > the die contains a cavity that will be filled with the powder/granule formulation
- > the punches will come into the die during the compression/compaction phase to form the tablet
what are the main types of tablet presses?
- Single-punch press also called eccentric press
- > low output; 130-200 tablets per minute - Rotary press
- > large scale production; 10,000 tablets per minute - Compaction stimulator
- > optimises compression setting and predicts any issues
How does die filling help the tableting process?
- die cavity is filled by gravitational flow
- powder properties effect powder flow
- granulation is removed from the direct compression process
How can you use glints to improve powder flow?
- glints work by decreasing cohesive forces and are added just before compression
How can binders be used in the tabletting process?
- binders help promote the formation of interparticular bonds
- binders are usually ductile which is important for the compression process
- for tablets prepared by direct compression a binder can be added as a dry powder
when are binders most useful? What are some examples?
they are most effective when added as solutions during granulation
examples
- starch, sucrose, gelatin
- polyvinylpyrrolidone
- cellulose derivatives: HPMC, methylcellulose
How do glidants, lubricants and anti adherents affect compression-compaction?
Glidants; help during initial phases of the process- particle rearrangement
Lubricants; added to lower friction between powder and die wall
Antiadherents; added to prevent adhesion of powder/granules to the die wall or punch tips e.g. talc, starch, magnesium stearate
how does high MC allow powder stick?
it promotes adhesive forces and makes powder stick to the punches
How does friction affect tablet ejection? How can any fracture be avoided?
- if friction is high tablets may fracture during the ejection process. Lubricants may be added to reduce friction
How can lubricants interfere with compression-compaction and dissolution
- bonding with compression-compaction; impact of lubricant on tablet strength can be assessed
- dissolution due to their hydrophobicity; use hydrophilic lubricants and added after the disintegrate to avoid generating lubricant-coated disintegrant particles
State the mechanisms of action for fluid lubrication
- formation of a fluid layer between solid surfaces
- minimise friction between and die wall during ejection
- not used for tablet formation
- can make tablet surface tacky and mottles
state the mechanism of action for boundary lubrication
- solid surfaces separated by a thin film of the solid lubricant
- tends to be fine particulate solids
- most effective agents (<1%):
- stearic acid
- stearic acid salts; magnesium stearate
What are some examples of some glidants?
Talc (1-2%)- works as an anti adherent and is hydrophobic; has impact on wetting/dissolution
Starch- helps disintegration and is used as a binder and diluent
Magnesium stearate (<1%)- used as a lubricant and can promote flow at low concentrations
colloidal silicon dioxide- efficient glidant, small spherical particles, can be hydrophilic and hydrophobic; particles “glide” over each other under pressure
What are chewable tablets used for?
- paediatric patients
- veterinary use; tailored flavouring and safety of excipients confirmed
- adult patients with swallowing difficulties
where does disintegration and drug dissolution occur for chewable tablets?
disintegration in the mouth but drug dissolution occurs in the GIT
what diluents are often used in chewable tablets? What can they act as and what should be considered?
sorbitol or mannitol and can also act as a sweetener
- consider organoleptic properties
what drugs disintegrate in the oral cavity?
- buccal tablets
- sublingual tablets
- compressed lozenges
how do buccal and sublingual tablets allow quick disintegration?
they are smaller and more porous to enable quick disintegration
- reduced tablet size will also help limit discomfort to the patient
how do compressed lozenges work and how are they prepared?
- they dissolve slowly in the mouth, and release some of the drug in the saliva
- they are prepared using high compression forces, which increases mechanical strength
what specifications must oro-mucosal tablets meet?
- they must be of suitable mechanical strength to allow processing and handling without breaking down
what are the means of multiple compression tablets? what are the able to?
- separate two or more incompatible APIs
- allow the APIs to be released at different rates
- address mixing issues where uniform distribution of the API cannot be guaranteed
how are layered tablets formed via tableting process?
- a first powder is compacted by compression, before the second or more powder is added to the die and compressed
how are tablets-in-tablets prepared?
prepared by compression coating. the core tablet is made first and then moved to a slightly larger die containing the second powder
what can occur when two powders are layered together?
- an interface can be caused and this can lead to stability issues in cases of incompatibility