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Examining the effect of spatial distribution of disintegrant particles on tablet disintegratability

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Abstract

Purpose

Superdisintegrants are typically used at low concentrations in tablets. As a result, the spatial distribution of disintegrant particles within the tablet may be inhomogeneous, resulting in varied disintegration times. This study aimed to investigate the effect of disintegrant spatial distribution on tablet disintegratability.

Methods

Tablets with various degrees of disintegrant spatial distribution were engineered using a novel experimental design. The effects of relative spatial distribution of disintegrant particles on tablet tensile strength, liquid penetration rate and disintegration time were investigated.

Results

It was observed that increased clustering of disintegrant particles generally promoted faster tablet disintegration due to more localized swelling and strain recovery of sodium starch glycolate and crospovidone, respectively. However, for tablets with insoluble fillers and sodium starch glycolate, a high degree of disintegrant clustering prolonged disintegration due to the formation of gel plugs which impeded liquid penetration into the tablet and caused the tablet to break up into floccules instead. Tablets made with insoluble fillers were also found to be more sensitive to changes in disintegrant spatial distribution compared to those containing soluble fillers.

Conclusion

Overall, the effects of disintegrant spatial distribution were dependent on the type of disintegrant and filler used.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by GEA-NUS PPRL fund (N-148-000-008-001). Audrey Yi Zheng is a recipient of the National University of Singapore Graduate Research Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore

    Audrey Yi Zheng, Wei Wei Huang, Li Ying Jolene Poon, Eunice Siying Wong, Paul Wan Sia Heng & Lai Wah Chan

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  1. Audrey Yi Zheng
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  2. Wei Wei Huang
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  3. Li Ying Jolene Poon
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  4. Eunice Siying Wong
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Correspondence to Lai Wah Chan.

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All authors (A.Y. Zheng, W.W. Huang, L.Y.J. Poon, E.S. Wong, P.W.S. Heng and L.W. Chan) declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Zheng, A.Y., Huang, W.W., Poon, L.Y.J. et al. Examining the effect of spatial distribution of disintegrant particles on tablet disintegratability. J. Pharm. Investig. 54, 195–207 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-023-00639-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-023-00639-6

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