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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of the effects of tableting speed on the relationships between compaction pressure, tablet tensile strength, and tablet solid fraction.

It is well known that compression speed can have significant effects on the compaction properties of pharmaceutical powders. This is a challenge during scale up and technology transfer when tableting speeds are significantly increased. This study examined the effects of tableting speed on the compressibility (solid fraction vs. compaction pressure), tabletability (tensile strength vs. compaction pressure), and compactibility (tensile strength vs. solid fraction) of four common direct compression excipients and a placebo formulation. The tabletability and compressibility of some of these materials were observed to be speed dependent whereas the compactibility of all materials tested was essentially independent of tableting speed. It is therefore proposed that the compactibility profile (tensile strength vs. solid fraction) is a predictor that is independent of tableting speed and can be used to predict tablet strength during formulation development and scale up.

Compressive Strength↗

Bioavailability of doxycycline from dissolved doxycycline hydrochloride tablets--comparison to solid form hydrochloride tablets and dissolved monohydrate tablets.

Doxycycline (DC) is used either as solid form hydrochloride capsules, or as monohydrate tablets, which may be taken either as solid form tablets or dissolved in water. In this single dose (150 mg), crossover study on 15 healthy volunteers, the pharmacokinetic properties of DC from hydrochloride tablets taken either in dissolved or in solid form were compared with those observed after taking dissolved DC as a monohydrate tablet. The results of this study show that DC is absorbed rapidly (tmax 3.3-3.8 h) and with equal bioavailability (AUC values 52.9-58.5 mg/l x h) from both hydrochloride and monohydrate tablets. It can be concluded that taking the DC hydrochloride tablets in dissolved form does not affect the pharmacokinetics of DC, moreover the bioavailability of DC is comparable to that achieved after taking DC monohydrate tablets in dissolved form.

Biological Availability↗

A new rapidly absorbed paracetamol tablet containing sodium bicarbonate. I. A four-way crossover study to compare the concentration-time profile of paracetamol from the new paracetamol/sodium bicarbonate tablet and a conventional paracetamol tablet in fed and fasted volunteers.

The primary objective of this four-way crossover study was to compare the concentration-time profile of paracetamol from a new rapidly absorbed paracetamol tablet containing sodium bicarbonate (PS) with a conventional paracetamol tablet (P), in a panel of 28 fed and fasted healthy volunteers. The results demonstrated that paracetamol was absorbed more rapidly from tablets containing sodium bicarbonate compared to conventional tablets, as indicated by a shorter tmax in both the fed and fasted state and a higher Cmax in the fasted state. The two formulations were bioequivalent with respect to area under curve (AUC). Food did not affect the extent of absorption from either formulation, as indicated by AUC, however, food did reduce the rate of absorption from both formulations, as indicated by a longer tmax and a lower Cmax. Metabolic activation of paracetamol to its oxidation metabolites, as assessed by combined partial clearances to subsequent secondary metabolites cysteine and mercapturic acid conjugates, indicated that the two formulations were bioequivalent in this respect.

Acetaminophen↗

A comparison of the effect of combined frusemide and controlled-release potassium tablets (Diumide-K continus tablets) and frusemide and slow-K tablets in elderly patients with cardiac failure.

Serum potassium levels, weight, heart function and patient's opinion of therapy were assessed in a study comparing 40 mg of frusemide and 600 mg of controlled-release potassium chloride in a combined tablet to frusemide and potassium supplements given as separate tablets in thirty elderly patients in cardiac failure. Potassium levels were significantly higher, heart function was significantly improved and patient's opinion of therapy was better after the combined tablet therapy than both pre-trial and after the separate tablet therapy. There was no significant difference in weight reduction.

Aged↗

Comparison of an orally disintegrating ondansetron tablet with the conventional ondansetron tablet for cyclophosphamide-induced emesis in cancer patients: a multicenter, double-masked study. Ondansetron Orally Disintegrating Tablet Emesis Study Group.

A total of 427 cancer patients receiving cyclophosphamide chemotherapy participated in this multicenter, double-masked, double-dummy, parallel-group, randomized study comparing the antiemetic efficacy and safety of an 8-mg conventional ondansetron tablet (OT, n = 212) taken twice daily with an 8-mg orally disintegrating ondansetron tablet (ODT, n = 215) taken twice daily for 3 days. In the primary efficacy analysis, complete or major control of emesis (0 to 2 emetic episodes) between days 1 and 3 was seen in 80% of OT and 78% of ODT patients. The 90% confidence interval for the differences between treatments was -8.6% to 4.4% (defined interval of equivalence, +/-15%), showing that the formulations were equivalent. In the secondary efficacy analysis, no significant differences were observed in the rates of complete control of emesis (no episodes of emesis) over 3 days (63% and 64% of the respective groups) and on day 1 (84% and 81%, respectively) and in the complete control of nausea over 3 days (37% and 43%, respectively) and on day 1 (59% and 61% of patients, respectively). The taste of ODT was acceptable to the majority of patients (89%) who received it. OT and ODT were both well tolerated. Thus 8 mg ODT twice daily represents a palatable, well-tolerated, and effective antiemetic treatment for the control of cyclophosphamide-induced emesis and nausea and provides equivalent treatment to OT 8 mg twice daily.

Administration, Oral↗

Drug interaction of spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate and hydrochlorothiazide. A clinical study to compare the pharmacokinetics after administration of spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets and fixed combination bi-layer tablets.

The potential influence of concomitantly administered hydrochlorothiazide (CAS 58-93-5) on the pharmacokinetics of spirapril (CAS 94841-17-5)/spiraprilat (CAS 83602-05-5) and of concomitantly administered spirapril on the pharmacokinetics of hydrochlorothiazide was investigated in an open, randomised, 3-way crossover study in 12 healthy male subjects. The test drug was a newly developed bi-layer tablet containing a fixed combination of spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate and hydrochlorothiazide (Quadroplus). The reference formulations were tablets containing solely spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate (Quadropril) or hydrochlorothiazide (produced exclusively for study medication). For spirapril, spiraprilat and hydrochlorothiazide the 90% confidence intervals of the AUC(0-infinity) as a measure for the extent of absorption were entirely included within the equivalence range of 0.8 to 1.25 and the 90% confidence intervals of the Cmax as a measure for the rate of absorption were entirely included within the extended equivalence range of 0.7 to 1.43. Therefore, bioequivalence was concluded for the test and reference formulations. The results suggest that hydrochlorothiazide does not interact in the fixed combination with the pharmacokinetics of spirapril and vice versa.

Adult↗

Effects of tableting pressure on hydration kinetics of theophylline anhydrate tablets.

The effects of tableting pressure on hydration kinetics of types I and II theophylline anhydrate tablets at 95% relative humidity, 35 degrees C, have been studied by using various kinetic equations. Relations between tablet expansion and hydration were studied. Samples of 2 cm diameter tablets (1 g) were compressed at 5, 10 and 20 MPa. The hydration of types I and II tablets decreased with increased tableting pressure. The time required for 50% hydration of 2 cm diameter tablets, compressed at various pressures suggests that the tablet hydration rate was affected by the tableting pressure. Types I and II tablets expanded 11.37-16.75% in volume during hydration to the monohydrate. The thickness expansion of the tablets exceeded the diameter expansion as the tablet structure was not uniform owing to the orientation of particles during the compression. The final expansion ratio of the tablets increased with increased tableting compression pressure. The Hancock Sharp constant (m) and fitting of the kinetic data to a suitable model suggested that the hydration of theophylline anhydrate tablets followed the two-dimensional phase boundary equation (type I tablets) or the three-dimensional phase boundary equation (type II tablets).

Chemical Phenomena↗

Effect of excipients on tablet properties and dissolution behavior of theophylline-tableted microcapsules under different compression forces.

Theophylline ethylcellulose microcapsules were tableted by compression with or without excipients [lactose or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC-H)]. Tablets without excipients had a crushing strength that was independent of the applied compression force and the particle size of the microcapsules used, but tablet thickness decreased with an increase in the particle size of the microcapsules. The dissolution characteristics of theophylline from tableted microcapsules without excipients were almost independent of the applied compression force, but showed a sustained-release behavior. However, the thickness, crushing strength, and dissolution properties of tablets containing excipients were found to be affected by the type of excipient. Tableted microcapsules containing lactose showed an increase in tablet crushing strength that correlated with an increase in the applied compression pressure, but the tablet thickness did not change. In contrast, tableted microcapsules containing HPC-H showed a decrease in tablet thickness with an increase in the applied compression pressure, but the tablet crushing strength was initially reduced and then increased with an increase in the compression force. There was a rapid release rate for theophylline from tableted microcapsules containing lactose; a zero-order release rate for theophylline was found in tableted microcapsules containing HPC-H. The insoluble compacted matrix formation, disintegration of tablet, rupture of microcapsules, and gel matrix formation may be responsible for the release behavior of theophylline-tableted microcapsules with or without excipients. The reduced surface area and porosity resulted in a prolongation of the release from tableted microcapsules compared with untableted microcapsules.

Capsules↗

Absorption of effervescent paracetamol tablets relative to ordinary paracetamol tablets in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the rate of absorption between ordinary paracetamol tablets and effervescent paracetamol tablets. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers participated in an open randomised crossover study and were given a 1000-mg dose of either ordinary paracetamol tablets (2 x 500 mg Panodil tablets, SmithKline Beecham) or effervescent paracetamol tablets (2 x 500 mg Pinex Brusetablett, Alpharma AS) with a 3-week washout period in between. Blood samples were collected for 3 h. Maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and the time to maximum serum concentration (tmax) were recorded and the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: The mean tmax was significantly shorter when paracetamol effervescent tablets were taken (27 min) rather than ordinary paracetamol tablets (45 min) (P = 0.004). There was no significant difference between the mean Cmax of 143 micromol/l with effervescent tablets and that of 131 micromol/l with ordinary tablets. The mean AUC(0-3 h) was significantly higher with paracetamol effervescent tablets (223.8 micromol x h x l(-1)) than with ordinary tablets (198.2 micromol x h x l(-1); P = 0.003). After 15 min, 17 (85%) subjects in the effervescent group had a serum concentration of 70 micromol/l (lower therapeutic serum concentration) or higher relative to only 2 (10%) subjects in the ordinary tablet group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Paracetamol effervescent tablets are absorbed significantly faster than ordinary paracetamol. Thus, effervescent tablets might offer significantly faster pain relief when paracetamol is used.

Acetaminophen↗

Reduction of tablet coloration at tableting for oily medicine (tocopheryl nicotinate).

The powder (TN-PO) which adsorbed D,L-tocopheryl nicotinate (TN) as an oily medicine was prepared using porous calcium silicate (Florite(R)RE, FLR) as an adsorbing carrier. Tablets (TN-TAB) were produced by compression of TN-PO at different compression pressures. As TN-PO was compressed at the higher TN content in TN-PO and compression pressure, the more TN was exuded from TN-PO, and an increase in the degree of tablet coloration was observed. Therefore, FLR or colloidal silica (AEROSIL(R)200, AER) was newly added to TN-PO at compression to reduce the degree of tablet coloration. Further, the effects of addition of FLR or AER on the crushing strength, friability, porosity and disintegration property of the tablet and the dissolution property of TN from the tablet were studied. After addition of FLR or AER, a similar reduction of tablet coloration was observed. When the addition percentage of FLR to TN-PO exceeded 30%, the crushing strength of the tablet increased significantly. On the other hand, when TN-PO added with AER was compressed, no change was observed in the crushing strength of the tablet. The disintegration time of the tablet with added FLR was shorter than that of the tablet with added AER. At every addition percentage studied, the tablet with added FLR showed a higher releasing ability of TN compared with the tablet with added AER. These results indicate that it is possible to reduce tablet coloration by adding FLR or AER at compression of TN-PO. Further, it is considered that the differences in the crushing strength, disintegration property and dissolution property of TN between the tablets with added FLR or AER resulted in different liquid adsorbing and holding mechanisms of FLR particles and AER particles.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Evaluation of tableting and tablet properties of Kollidon SR: the influence of moisture and mixtures with theophylline monohydrate.

The aim of the study was firstly to investigate the influence of moisture on the tableting and tablet properties of Kollidon SR and secondly to investigate the influence of theophylline monohydrate on the tableting behavior and tablet properties produced from binary mixtures with Kollidon SR. In comparison to Kollidon SR, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the powder over the whole range of RH (0-90%), and in addition, the Tg of tablets of Kollidon SR were measured. Densities and flowability of the powders were analyzed. The tablets were produced at five different maximum relative densities (rho(rel), max) on an instrumented eccentric tableting machine. They were produced at three different relative humidities (RH), 30%, 45%, and 60% RH for the pure substances and binary mixtures with different ratios of drug and excipient were tableted at 45% RH. The tableting properties were analyzed by 3D modeling, force-displacement profiles, and compactibility plots. First, the Tg of the powder decreased with increasing RH and the Tg of the tablet was 4-8 K lower than the powder. The predominant deformation of Kollidon SR is plastic deformation and Kollidon SR showed a higher compactibility than MCC. The parameters of the 3D model showed an extreme change between 45 and 60% RH, and at higher RH more and more particles deformed elastically. This was confirmed by analysis of force-displacement profiles. At 60% RH, the radial tensile strength of the Kollidon SR tablets was half of the radial tensile strength at 45% RH. The reason is a higher relative energy of plastic deformation than for MCC. This results in a better utilization of the energy to deform the powder into a tablet and the exceeding of the glass transition temperature at higher RH. In conclusion, at 60% RH at the same rho(rel, max), tableting and tablet properties of Kollidon SR are extremely changed since plasticity is significantly higher. In the second part of the study, the insufficient flowability of theophylline monohydrate can be compensated by using Kollidon SR in a mixture with up to 20% theophylline. Further, pressure plasticity e of MCC and Kollidon SR was lowered in the mixture with theophylline monohydrate. The same is valid for the compactibility. The influence of theophylline monohydrate on the pressure plasticity e of the mixtures was better compensated in the mixture with MCC than in a mixture with Kollidon SR. This compensation was also visible by analyzing the force-displacement-profiles. However, hardly any influence on the radial tensile strength could be detected. Kollidon SR and Kollidon SR mixtures exhibited a higher compactibility than MCC and MCC mixtures. The differences became smaller with increasing theophylline content.

Algorithms↗

Salbutamol in treatment of bronchial asthma--comparison of controlled release tablet with standard tablet.

Salbutamol in controlled release tablet form was compared to salbutamol in standard tablet form for the management of patients with bronchial asthma. A total of twenty asthmatic patients enrolled in the study were classified into two groups, ten patients each, for a cross-over study. Group 1 received controlled release tablets for a 2 to 3 week period, and were then shifted to standard tablets for another similar period. Group 2 received standard tablets first and was then shifted to controlled release tablets. Patients were required to record symptom scores during therapy, including sleep disturbance, chest tightness, wheezing, cough, sputum production and inhalational bronchodilator use. Measurements of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were also done, as well as record made of side effects experienced. The result showed that a lower symptom score was found in patients receiving controlled release tablets than in patients receiving standard tablets (p < 0.001 for sleep disturbance, p < 0.005 for sputum formation and p < 0.001 for total score). There was a higher PEFR in patients receiving controlled-release tablets than in patients receiving standard tablets (p < 0.001). Side effects with tremor were observed in 30% of both groups of patients with a slightly higher degree in the patients receiving standard tablets (statistically not significant). In conclusion, salbutamol of controlled release tablet form obtains a better therapeutic response than standard tablets in the management of patients with bronchial asthma.

Adult↗

Efficacy, tolerability, and patient satisfaction with 50- and 100-mg sumatriptan tablets in those initially dissatisfied with the efficacy of 50-mg sumatriptan tablets.

BACKGROUND: Both 50- and 100-mg sumatriptan tablets are effective and well tolerated in the acute treatment of migraine. However, given a choice between the 2 doses, many patients in clinical practice and clinical studies prefer the 100-mg dose. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess whether patients initially dissatisfied with the efficacy of 50-mg sumatriptan tablets would be satisfied with 100-mg sumatriptan tablets. METHODS: In phase 1 of the study, triptan-naive patients with migraine (International Headache Society diagnosis) received open-label treatment of 3 migraine attacks with 50-mg sumatriptan tablets. At the end of phase 1, those who were dissatisfied with the efficacy but satisfied with the tolerability of 50-mg sumatriptan tablets entered phase 2 and were randomized in a double-blind, parallel-group fashion to receive either 50- or 100-mg sumatriptan tablets for the treatment of 3 attacks. Patients who were satisfied with the efficacy or dissatisfied with the tolerability of the 50-mg tablets in phase 1 were given the option of continuing open-label treatment with 50-mg sumatriptan tablets in phase 2. The primary end point was the percentage of patients satisfied with medication at the end of phase 2 double-blind treatment. Patient satisfaction with specific medication attributes was assessed using the Patient Perception of Migraine Questionnaire. RESULTS: Seven hundred twenty-two patients were enrolled in phase 1 of the study (the intent-to-treat population), 609 of whom had evaluable satisfaction data at the end of open-label treatment. Three hundred twenty-six (54%) of these patients were satisfied with 50-mg sumatriptan tablets, whereas 283 (46%) were not satisfied. Among those who were dissatisfied, lack of efficacy was cited as the sole reason for dissatisfaction by 242 (86%). Two hundred thirty-one of those who were dissatisfied with efficacy only and wished to continue the study were randomized to double-blind treatment with either 50-mg sumatriptan tablets (n = 123; 82% female, 18% male; mean age, 37.6 years) or 100-mg sumatriptan tablets (n = 108; 86% female, 14% male; mean age, 36.0 years). The remaining 310 patients elected to continue open-label treatment with 50-mg sumatriptan tablets. At the end of double-blind treatment, 64 of 101 patients (63%) in the 100-mg group indicated that they were satisfied with treatment, compared with 55 of 113 (49%) in the 50-mg group (P = 0.031). Across the 3 attacks treated in the double-blind phase. headache relief 2 hours postdose was reported by 47% to 53% of patients in the 50-mg group and 45% to 60% of patients in the 100-mg group. The overall incidence of patients reporting > or =1 adverse event was 19% (23/123) in the 50-mg group and 22% (24/108) in the 100-mg group. CONCLUSIONS: For most patients, 50 mg is the appropriate starting dose of sumatriptan tablets. In patients who experience inadequate relief with 50 mg, increasing the dose to 100 mg is an appropriate therapeutic option.

Adult↗

Comparative pharmacokinetics of lovastatin extended-release tablets and lovastatin immediate-release tablets in humans.

The pharmacokinetics of lovastatin and its active metabolite lovastatin acid was evaluated in 9 healthy subjects in a three-period crossover study following a single oral dose of lovastatin extended-release (ER) tablets and lovastatin immediate-release (IR) tablets. Participants were dosed with lovastatin IR 40 mg tablets following a standard breakfast, lovastatin ER 40 mg tablets following a standard breakfast, and lovastatin ER 40 mg tablets underfasting conditions. Serial plasma samples were collected for up to 48 hours postdose and assayed for lovastatin and lovastatin acid using a liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy method. Lovastatin ER tablets, unlike lovastatin IR tablets, exhibited delayed- and extended-release characteristics. The relative bioavailability, in terms of area under the curve values, of lovastatin (156%) and lovastatin acid (124%) was greater from lovastatin ER tablets as compared with lovastatin IR tablets when given with breakfast. An even greater increase in the bioavailability of lovastatin (261%) and lovastatin acid (231%) was observed when the lovastatin ER tablets were administered under fasting conditions. Thus, greater gastrointestinal tract drug absorption of lovastatin from lovastatin ER tablets was demonstrated. Ingestion of a standard breakfast prior to administration of lovastatin ER tablets decreased absorption of lovastatin by approximately 40%, relative to lovastatin ER tablets under fasting conditions.

Adult↗

The effect of powder blend and tablet structure on drug release mechanisms of hydrophobic starch acetate matrix tablets.

This study investigates the release mechanism of a hydrophilic drug (caffeine) from hydrophobic matrix tablets composed of starch acetate. Different particle size fractions of starch acetate were mixed with caffeine (22% V/V) to obtain various mixture organisations in the powder, as well as in the final tablet. The organisation of powder mixtures was calculated by the carrier payload of starch acetate particles, while the pore size distributions in tablets were measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry. A carrier payload below 1 indicated the existence of a free starch acetate particle surface, while numbers greater than 1 pointed to a complete occupation of the starch acetate particle surface area by caffeine particles. The carrier payload calculations gave a good prediction for the existence of a starch acetate matrix in the tablet structures. Caffeine matrices in tablets compressed from the mixtures could be detected by mercury intrusion porosimetry measurements. The existence of different matrices, as well as different pore networks, determined the physical changes of the tablets and the release mechanism of caffeine during dissolution tests. When a tablet contained only a caffeine matrix, rapid tablet disintegration and immediate release of the total amount of caffeine occurred. A single matrix of starch acetate resulted in tablets that remained intact, although cracks were formed. The co-existence of matrices of both materials created surface erosion of the tablet. The caffeine release profiles of tablets that remained intact or showed erosion were fitted by an equation containing both diffusional and relaxational factors to describe the effect of tablet porosity on drug release.

Caffeine↗

Application of fluidized hot-melt granulation (FHMG) for the preparation of granules for tableting; properties of granules and tablets prepared by FHMG.

The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of granules and tablets prepared by a novel Fluidized Hot-Melt Granulation (FHMG) technique. Macrogol 6000 (polyethylene glycol 6000, PEG 6000), macrogol 20000 (polyethylene glycol 20000, PEG 20000), and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) were used as binders with different levels of viscosity and water solubility. The properties of both granules and tablets were compared with those obtained using the Standard Tablet Formulation (STF, lactose/corn starch/hydroxypropylcellulose/ magnesium stearate: 66/30/3.5/0.5) for fluidized-bed granulation, which is widely used for wet granulation. To obtain suitable flowability as granules for tabletting, the content of the melting material should be approximately 10 w/w%. The rate of increase in the mean diameter of the granules during FHMG was affected by both the melting temperature and the viscosity of the melting material used in the granules. The compression properties of granules prepared by FHMG were also investigated, demonstrating that these granules had a high pressure transmittance. The hardness and the disintegration time of tablets obtained from granules prepared by FHMG were influenced by the properties of the melting material, such as its compaction behavior, solubility, and wettability. No significant differences of hardness were observed when compared to STF tablets. Tablets prepared from FHMG granules disintegrated within 15 min, whereas the STF tablets showed faster disintegration. It was also demonstrated that the hardness and disintegration time of tablets prepared from FHMG granules were not affected by the tablet porosity. Therefore, tablets with a constant quality may be obtainable under a wide range of compression forces. The results of this study suggested that FHMG is a useful method of preparing granules for tableting without using any solvents or water.

Drug Compounding↗

"Soft tableting": a new concept to tablet pressure-sensitive materials.

The aim of this study was to confirm the hypothesis that tableting using excipients with greater elastic deformation results in improved performance of pressure-sensitive drugs relative to the excipients with low elastic deformation. Tableting with highly elastic deforming excipients and the resultant minimization of the process damage is referred to in this article as "soft tableting." Carrageenans, chitosans, and polyethylene oxides were tested as potentially useful tableting excipients. alpha-Amylase, amorphous indomethacin, theophylline monohydrate, and enteric-coated pellets were used as models for pressure-sensitive materials. Three-dimensional modeling of the tableting data and elastic recovery of the tablets were the tools for mechanical characterization. The crushing force of the tablets was analyzed. Inactivation of alpha-amylase was determined by using the starch iodine reaction method. Pseudopolymorphic and polymorphic changes were analyzed using Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy. The effects of pressure on the integrity of the pellets were tested by release studies and scanning electron microscopy. The process of tablet formation was characterized for potentially useful tableting excipients. The results were compared with the results of traditional excipients as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). A ranking order for soft tableting was deduced from the mechanical properties. The tableting excipients were ranked according to their general plasticity (GP): GP(carrageenans)<GP(chitosans)<GP(MCC)<GP(HPMC)<GP(polyethylene oxides). This theoretical order of suitability has been experimentally proven to be valid for the pressure-sensitive materials. In conclusion, the new concept for soft tableting is valid.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Variability in tablet fragment weights when splitting unscored cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablets.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the weight variation and calculated dosing variability of tablet fragments upon splitting unscored cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 10 mg tablets using two common tablet splitting devices. DESIGN: Comparative pharmaceutics study. SETTING: Pharmacy school laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Not applicable. INTERVENTIONS: Unscored cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 10 mg tablets from one generic manufacturer were split with a tablet splitter or a kitchen knife by a licensed pharmacist and two doctor of pharmacy students (n = 15 tablets for each method per participant). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fragment weights (FWs) were compared with the theoretical weights (TWs), which were calculated as one half of the mean weight of the tablets used in each part of the experiment; means, relative standard deviations (RSDs), and percentages of TW were also calculated. RESULTS: The mean weight before splitting the 45 tablets with the tablet splitter was 136.6 +/- 2.1 mg (TW = 68.3 mg). The mean FW after splitting was 67.9 +/- 7.9 mg. The RSD of 11.6% corresponded to a range of 69.4% to 130.2% of the TW and an estimated drug content of the split fragments between 3.47 mg and 6.51 mg. The mean weight before splitting the 45 tablets cut with a kitchen knife was 136.6 +/- 2.0 mg (TW = 68.3 mg). The mean FW was 68.0 +/- 15.7 mg with a RSD of 23.2%, corresponding to a range of 49.9% to 149.5% of the TW and an estimated drug content of the split fragments between 2.49 mg and 7.48 CONCLUSION: Tablet fragments obtained after splitting this generic cyclobenzaprine 10 mg product varied considerably in weight and estimated drug content. Accordingly, splitting cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablets to achieve 5 mg doses could result in unpredictable dosing and therapeutic response.

Amitriptyline↗