Generated surface area measurement of disintegrating tablets.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Physical Pharmacy
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Phenylbutazone is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
• Understanding drug release kinetics is crucial for pharmaceutical formulation and efficacy.
• Tablet disintegration and dissolution are key processes influencing drug bioavailability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the surface area generated during the disintegration and dissolution of commercial phenylbutazone tablets.
• To investigate the relationship between surface area changes, disintegration time, and dissolution rate.
• To determine the kinetic order of phenylbutazone tablet disintegration and dissolution.

Main Methods:

• Six commercial brands of phenylbutazone tablets (100 mg) were analyzed.
• Surface area was measured over time using a Model TA Coulter Counter.
• Disintegration and dissolution processes were monitored and correlated with surface area changes.

Main Results:

• Surface area versus time graphs showed a consistent pattern, reaching a maximum value.
• Initial surface area increase, attributed to disintegration and deaggregation, followed first-order kinetics.
• A strong correlation (p<0.001) was observed between maximum surface area and the dissolution rate (t60).
• Subsequent surface area decrease, due to phenylbutazone dissolution, also followed first-order kinetics.

Conclusions:

• Tablet disintegration and deaggregation significantly contribute to the initial surface area generation.
• The measured surface area provides a reliable indicator of phenylbutazone dissolution rate.
• First-order kinetics govern both the initial disintegration/deaggregation and subsequent phenylbutazone dissolution phases.