Evaluation of rapidly disintegrating tablets prepared by a direct compression method

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Materials Science

Background:

• Developing rapidly disintegrating tablets (RDTs) requires balancing mechanical integrity with quick disintegration and palatability.
• Traditional tablet formulations often face challenges in achieving optimal properties simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate rapidly disintegrating tablets with enhanced mechanical strength and pleasant taste.
• To investigate the relationship between formulation characteristics, tablet porosity, and critical tablet properties (tensile strength, disintegration time).

Main Methods:

• Formulation of tablets using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), Tablettose (TT), and either crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Ac-di-sol) or erythritol (ET).
• Direct compression method for tablet manufacturing.
• Determination of tablet properties: porosity, tensile strength, and disintegration time.
• Application of polynomial regression and response surface methodology to analyze relationships and optimize formulations.

Main Results:

• Established relationships between tablet porosity, formulation parameters, tensile strength, and disintegration time.
• Response surface and contour plots visualized the interplay of these factors.
• Identified an optimal formulation region yielding tablets with both high tensile strength and short disintegration times.

Conclusions:

• Rapidly disintegrating tablets with superior mechanical durability and desirable taste can be successfully prepared.
• The optimization strategy effectively balances critical tablet attributes for improved oral dosage forms.