Tablets
Tablets may be defined as solid pharmaceutical dosage forms containing
drug substances prepared either by compression or molding methods.
Although it is possible to manufacture in a wide range of shape, official
tablets are defined as circular sizes with either flat or convex faces.
Advantages of Tablets
1. Organoleptic properties (taste, appearance and odor) are best improved by
coating of tablet.
2. Accuracy of dose is maintained since tablet is a solid unit dosage form.
3. Tailor made release profile can be achieved.
4. Longer expiry period and minimum microbial spillage owing to lower moisture
content.
5. As tablet is not a sterile dosage form, stringent environmental conditions are not
required in the tablet department.
6. Ease of packaging (blister or strip) and easy handling.
7. Ease of product identification because of huge number of shapes and color.
8. Easy to transport in bulk. Emergency supply supplies can be carried by patients.
Disadvantages of tablets
1. Drugs not absorbed or extensively degraded into GI
tract cannot be made into tablets.
2. It is difficult to convert a high dose poorly compressible
API into a tablet of suitable size for human use.
3. Difficult to formulate a drug with poor wettability, slow
dissolution into a tablet.
4. Slow onset of action as compared to parenterals, liquid
orals and capsules.
5. Difficult to swallow for kids, terminally ill and geriatric
patients.
Essential qualities of a good tablets.
They should be accurate and uniform in weight.
The drugs should be uniformly distributed throughout the tablets.
The size and shape should be reasonable for easy administration.
The tablets should not be too hard that it may not be disintegrate in
the stomach.
After administration it should disintegrate readily.
They should be attractive in appearance.
They should not have any manufacturing defects like cracking,
capping or discoloration.
Tablet excipients
Compressed tablets usually consist of active medicaments
mixed with a number of inert substances known as excipient or
additives i.e. all non – drug components of a formula are
termed excipients or additives. Although these additives are
termed as inert but they have a great influence on stability,
bioavailability and the process by which the dosage forms are
prepared.
Classification of Tablet excipients
Diluent
Disintegrant
Binder
Glidant
Lubricant
Antiadherent
Flavor
Color
Example of substances
Type of Excipient
Filler:-Lactose, Sucrose, Glucose, Mannitol, Sorbitol, Calcium phosphate, Calcium
carbonate, Cellulose
Disintegrant: Starch, Cellulose, Crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidine, Sodium starch
glycolate, Sodium CMC Solution
Binder: Gelatin, Polyvinyl pyrrolidine, Cellulose derivatives (hydroxypropylmethyl
cellulose, Sucrose, Starch Dry Binder Cellulose, Methylcellulose, Polyvinyl
pyrrolidine, Polyethylene glycol
Glidant: Silica, Magnesium stearate, Talc
Lubricant :Magnesium stearate, Stearic acid, Polyethylene glycol, Liquid Paraffin
Criteria for selection of excipients
Regardless of why an excipient is selected, they must meet
certain criteria in the formulation. These include the following:
[Link] must be nontoxic & acceptable to the regulatory
agencies in all countries where the product is to be marketed.
2. They must be commercially available in an acceptable grade
in all countries where the product is to be manufactured.
3. Their cost must be acceptably low.
4. They must be physiologically inert.
Criteria for selection of excipients
5. They must be physically and chemically stable by themselves
and in combination with the drug(s) and other tablet
components.
6. They must be color-compatible (not produce any off-color
appearance).
