Temperature dependence of the disintegration times of compressed tablets containing hydroxypropylcellulose as binder

The dependence of the disintegration times of placebo and active tablets containing hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), as binder on the temperature of the test medium in the region of 37 degrees is reported. The degree of temperature dependence varied with the HPC lot and concentration in the formulation of certain drugs, such as caffeine. The extent of the temperature dependence could be diminished by reducing the HPC concentration in the formulations. Corresponding trends were observed in drug release behaviour from some of these formulations. The effects observed were interpreted in terms of the thermodynamic behaviour of HPC systems and a specific drug-HPC interaction.