Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) Microscopy Visualizes Pharmaceutical Tablets During Dissolution
Published on: July 4, 2014
Compaction of pharmaceutical tablets with different polymer matrices studied by FTIR imaging and X-ray
Patrick Wray1, K L Andrew Chan, James Kimber
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Abstract:
Water soluble polymers are often used in tablet compaction for their desirable compaction and dissolution properties. ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging has been used to analyze in situ the spatial distribution of different components in tablets with different compositions. Caffeine tablets made of three different polymer matrices, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and lactose, were investigated. It was found that the distribution of caffeine is strongly affected by the composition of polymer matrix used in the tablet. X-ray tomography was used to analyze the caffeine distribution as a complementary technique. The results obtained were compared to the ATR-FTIR spectroscopic images.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters
Formulation and Manufacturing Process: Physical Attributes of Generic Tablets and Capsules
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
In Vitro Drug Dissolution: Compendial Testing Models I
In Vitro Drug Dissolution: Alternative Methods

