Tackiness of acrylic and cellulosic polymer films used in the coating of solid dosage forms

The objective was to determine the tackiness of acrylic and cellulosic polymer films in order to make predictions on the tackiness (agglomeration) of coated dosage forms during coating and curing. Force-displacement curves of the detachment process of two polymeric films were used as a measure of tackiness. Various polymers (cellulosic (Aquacoat and acrylics (Eudragit RS 30D, L 30D, NE 30D)), plasticizers (triacetin, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, acetyltributyl citrate) and anti-tacking agents (talc and glyceryl monostearate) were investigated. The order of tackiness for films prepared from the different aqueous polymer dispersions was in order of Eudragit NE 30D > RS 30D > RL 30D > Aquacoat. The tackiness increased with increasing plasticizer concentration due to the softening of the polymer. A correlation between the minimum film formation temperature and the tackiness was observed, however, no correlation between the tackiness and the lipophilicity of the plasticizer was seen. Talc and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) reduced the tackiness of the films significantly, with GMS being effective at much lower concentrations. Curing of Eudragit RS 30D-coated theophylline beads at temperatures higher than 40 degrees C in an irreversible agglomeration of the beads and damage of the coating upon separation of the beads. This resulted in a faster release than with uncured beads. Blending the beads with talc just prior to the curing step eliminated the agglomeration and therefore film damage, even at a curing temperature of 60 degrees C.