Review Formulation of The Tablets
Review Formulation of The Tablets
e-ISSN:2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 19, Issue 6 Ser. 2 (Nov. – Dec. 2024), PP 62-70
www.Iosrjournals.Org
Abstract:
Tablets are solid dosage forms prepared by compressing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) along with
excipients into a defined shape and size. They are among the most widely used forms of medication in the
pharmaceutical industry, offering convenience, stability, and precision in dosing. Designed for oral
administration, tablets are formulated to release the active drug in a controlled manner, depending on the intended
therapeutic use. The composition of tablets typically include active ingredients that provide the therapeutic effect
and excipients that enhance stability, manufacturability, and patient acceptability. Common excipients include
binders (to hold the components together), disintegrants (to aid in breaking down the tablet), lubricants (to
prevent sticking during manufacturing), and fillers (to add bulk for ease of handling). Tablets are classified into
various types based on their release characteristics and mode of administration. Immediate-release tablets
dissolve rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract, offering quick onset of action, while extended-release tablets allow
the drug to be released gradually over time. Other specialized types include chewable tablets, effervescent tablets,
and sublingual tablets, which are designed for specific patient needs and conditions. Tablets offer numerous
advantages, including accurate dosing, portability, and a long shelf life when stored under appropriate
conditions. They are easy to handle and administer, making them suitable for a wide range of patients, including
children and the elderly. Additionally, their compact size and lightweight nature contribute to their cost-
effectiveness in manufacturing and distribution. Tablets are an essential pharmaceutical dosage form, providing
a reliable, efficient, and versatile method for drug delivery. Their adaptability to various therapeutic requirements
ensures their continued prominence in modern medicine.
Keywords: Dosage Forms, Administered, Formulations, Characters, Volumetric, Granulation, Manufacturing,
Etc.
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Date of Submission: 21-12-2024 Date of Acceptance: 01-01-2025
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I. Literature Of Review:
• Reynir Eyjolfsson- Design and Manufacture of Pharmaceutical Tablets: This book provides practical examples
of actual formulations and outcomes in tablet design and manufacturing, offering real-world solutions to major
challenges in the field.
• Larry L. Augsburger and Stephen W. Hoag- Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms – Tablets: Manufacture and
Process Control: This comprehensive resource covers the design, formulation, manufacture, and evaluation of
tablet dosage forms, with detailed insights into process control.
II. Introduction:
Oral solid dosage forms are administered for attaining a local therapeutic effect in the mouth, throat and
digestive tract or for a systemic effect in the body after oral or gastrointestinal absorption. For preparing oral solid
dosage forms, active ingredients and suitable excipients can be milled, dried, encapsulated, blended, granulated
or tableted. Various oral solid dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, powders and granules etc. have
been widely used for delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) due to their convenience and consequent
patient compliance[1]. Tablet is the most widely used dosage form among the total available dosage forms because
it is simple for administration, lower price of production and elegance[2]. Tablets are a solid dosage form of
medicaments with or without excipients which are prepared by compression method. According to the Indian
Pharmacopoeia tablets are solid, flat or biconvex unit dosage form of a medicament alone or medicament along
with excipients prepared by compressing technique. They may vary in its size shape and weight depending on the
medicament and its mode of administration. Tablets are said to be most widely used conventional dosage forms
due to its variety of advantages and 70% of the medicaments were dispensed in tablet forms. Most of the
medicaments can be processed into tablets but there are some exceptions like medicaments with low density
characters, hygroscopic and the medicaments which were not possible to administer[3-7]. Tablet formulations
which provide a unit dose which is either immediate drug release or modified release or is taste masked are some
of the most popular and extensively explored aspects of oral solid dosage form development. Tablet
manufacturing (apart from the direct compression method) is a multistep process and hence is a complex process
with many potential variables. The processes and parameters associated with tablet manufacture are still not fully
understood. Extensive research is ongoing to develop understanding in all areas of the tablet manufacturing
process. Numerous advances have been introduced to improve material attributes, engineering of manufacturing
equipment and development of efficient analytical techniques. Qualities by design-based formulation
development approaches have been applied to reduce the variability in the processes to develop robust tablet
dosage forms. In addition, new raw materials have been deployed to improve manufacturability and functionality
of tablet formulations. These include the modification of existing excipients with enhanced purity or physical
properties (e.g. particle size) and co processing with other materials to improve their performance in
manufacturing processes. Moreover, development and use of multi-functional materials provide lean
manufacturing opportunities with significant economic impact. The last few years have seen the development of
novel tableting technologies which improve machine performance. These advances in machine design aim to
overcome limitations associated with conventional manufacturing approaches such as the denaturation of
thermolabile active ingredients, material wastage, multiple processing steps and elevated costs due to protracted
processing time, labour and maintenance of equipment. In addition, lean and continuous manufacturing concepts
have been employed to ensure rapid, safe and efficient manufacturing operations. Developments relating to
engineering and machine design have also been implemented in the pharmaceutical industry. The concept of
quality by design has been applied to enhance productivity by the application of novel process analytical
technologies that track quality attributes of formulations. These also can document data as a function of input
variables (materials and process) in a real time manner.[11]
A] Advantages
Unit dosage forms with dose precision,
Least content variability,
Administration of accurate amounts of minute doses of a drug is possible,
Economical of all oral dosage forms as its production doesn’t requires additional processing steps,
Easy transportation,
Sustain release of a drug can be achieved through enteric coating,
Medicaments with bitter taste can be masked with coating technique (Sugar coating),
Tablet dosage form is stable when compared to all oral dosage forms.
B] Disadvantages
Administration of drugs is not easy in case of children,
Drugs with slow dissolution is not acceptable for tableting with good bioavailability,
Medicaments with low density characters and amorphous in nature are difficult to compress.
Hygroscopic nature of drugs is not acceptable for tablet compression.
Wet Granulation:
Wet granulation is a process of using a liquid binder to lightly agglomerate the powder mixture. The
amount of liquid required to be properly adjusted, as over-wetting will cause the granules to be too hard and
under-wetting will cause them to be too soft and friable. Aqueous solutions have the advantage of being safer to
deal with solvent-based systems but may not be suitable for drugs which are degraded by hydrolysis.[8]
Dry Granulation:
Dry granulation requires drugs or excipients with cohesive properties. Dry granulation is simpler than
wet granulation, therefore the cost is reduced. This process is often used when the product to be granulated is
sensitive to moisture and heat. Dry granulation can be conducted on a tablet press using slugging tooling or on a
roll press called a roller compactor. Dry granulation often produces a higher percentage of fine granules, which
can compromise the quality or create yield problems for the tablet. Steps-by-step tablet manufacturing processes
which are being utilized by various manufacturers are enlisted in Table [1]. Evaluations of these tablets are being
carried out by using various response variables. Both preformulation and post formulation parameters are being
evaluated to cement the effectiveness of formulated preparations.[11]
Moulding Water-soluble ingredients with a hydro alcoholic solvent is used and is molded
into tablets under pressure lower than that used in conventional tablet
compression.
Freezedrying/Lyophilization The drug is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous solution of a carrier. The
mixture is poured into the wells of the preformed blister packs. The trays
holding the blister packs are passed through liquid nitrogen freezing tunnel to
freeze the drug solution. Then the frozen blister packs are placed in refrigerated
cabinets to continue the freeze drying. Finally the blisters are packaged and
shipped.
Disintegrant Involves the addition of superdisintegrants in optimum concentration to the
formulation to achieve rapid disintegration/dissolution.
Organoleptic Properties:
Color should be distributed uniformly without appearance of any signs of mottling. Colour of the tablet
should be compared with the standard colour for comparison.
Color distribution must be uniform with no mottling.
For visual color comparison compare the color of sample against standard color.
The presence of odor in a batch of tablet indicates a stability problem such as the characteristics odor of acetic
acid in an aspirin tablet.
The presence of odor could be characteristic of the drug (Vitamin), added ingredients (flavoring agent) or the
dosage form (film-coated tablet have a characteristic odor).
For chewable tablet presence or absence of specified taste can be checked.
A tablet level of flaws such s chip, cracks, contamination from foreign solid substances (hair, drops of oil, dirt),
surface texture (smooth vs rough) and appearance (shining vs dull) may have zero defect.
Uniformity Of Thickness:
To determine the uniformity of thickness random selection of tablets has to be done from each and every
batch and need to measure its thickness independently. If the thickness of any single tablet varies then the batch
containing that batch will not be dispatched. [5]
Randomly select 30 tablets.
10 of these assayed individually.
The Tablet passes the test if 9 of the 10 tablets must contain not less than 85% and not more than 115% of the
labeled drug content and the 10th tablet may not contain less than 75% and more than 125% of the labeled
content.
If these conditions are not met, remaining 20 tablet assayed individually and none may fall out side of the 85
to 115% range.
Hardness:
The ability of a tablet to withstand for mechanical shocks is known as hardness. Pfizer hardness tester is
the instrument which is used to determine the hardness of tablet. It is expressed in kg/cm[2]. Take three tablets
from each batch and hardness should be determined and the selection of tabled should be done randomly. Then
the mean and standard deviation values should be determined.[18]
Friability:
Roche friabilator is the equipment which is used for the determination of friability. It is expressed in
percentage. Note down the initial weight of the tablets individually (W initial). Tablets are placed in a plastic
chamber which revolves at 25 rpm and they are subjected to fall from a height of 6 inches in the friabilator for
about 100 revolutions. Then measure the weight of the tablet (W final) and observe any weight difference before
tablet and after the friabilator processing (Figure 2). Limits: loss in weight less than 0.5 to 1% of the initial weight
of the tablet should be considered as acceptable limits. Percentage of friability is calculated as:
DOI: 10.9790/ 3008-1906026270 www.iosrjournals.org 65 | Page
“Formulation Of The Tablets”
Machine Settings:
• Rotation Speed: Set the machine to rotate at 25 rpm.
• Time Duration: Set the timer for 4 minutes or 100 rotations.
Process Parameters:
• Temperature and Humidity: Conduct tests in a controlled environment to avoid variations in tablet behavior due
to external conditions.
• Cleaning: Ensure the drum and sample holder are clean before starting the test to prevent contamination or
inaccurate results.
• Calibration: Regularly calibrate the machine to maintain accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Fall Height of Tablets During Friability Test: Tablets fall from the height of 6 inches or 156 ±2 mm during the
Friability test.
• Angle Of Drum Base: Adjust drum base at 10° to avoid irregular tumbling.
Wetting Time:
This method was performed to determine the wetting time of a tablet. A piece of tissue paper which is
folded twice is kept in a Petri dish containing 6 ml of water and place the tablet on the tissue paper. Observe the
time taken for complete wetting of the tablet. Following procedure should follow three times (three trial) for each
batch and standard deviation is also calculated from the obtained results.
Dissolution
In the pharmaceutical industry, dissolution testing is an essential in-vitro method that provides critical
data regarding the dissolution profile of solid oral dosage forms. It allows scientists to measure the rate at which
a drug is released from its dosage form to surrounding aqueous media in the given apparatus. It is important for
developing and manufacturing pharmaceuticals. It ensures consistency of the drug release from formulation into
the circulatory system, which guarantees the effectiveness and safety of the oral dosages consumed by patients.
User acceptance criteria of these tests are bound by regulations of global pharmacopeial conventions and drug
release is assessed under fixed conditions. Dissolution testing is a multi-step process. It includes selection of the
right dissolution apparatus, media, and the tablet or capsule itself for the test. Initially, the tablet is placed in a
specialized dissolution apparatus filled with a chosen medium. The apparatus is then operated at a set speed and
temperature, typically mimicking the conditions of the human digestive system. [Including Review]
The motor is adjusted to turn at the specified speed and sample of the fluid are withdrawn at intervals to
determine the amount of drug in solutions.
Apparatus-2:
It is same as apparatus-1, except the basket is replaced by a paddle.
The dosage form is allowed to sink to the bottom of the flask before stirring.
For dissolution test U.S.P. specifies the dissolution test medium and volume, type of apparatus to be used, rpm
of the shaft, time limit of the test and assay procedure for.
The test tolerance is expressed as a % of the labeled amount of drug dissolved in the time limit.
Dissolution testing and Interpretation can be done in three stages.
6 tubes of the disintegration apparatus a then add a disc to each tube containing 6.8 pH phosphate buffer. The
temperature of the buffer should maintain at 37±2°C and run the apparatus raised and lowered for 30 cycles per
minute. Note down the time taken for the complete disintegration of the tablet without any remitants.[10]
The U.S.P. device to test disintegration uses 6 glass tubes that are 3” long; open at the top and 10 mesh screen
at the bottom end.
To test for disintegration time, one tablet is placed in each tube and the basket rack is positioned in a 1-L beaker
of water, simulated gastric fluid or simulated intestinal fluid at 37 ± 20 C such that the tablet remain 2.5 cm
below the surface of liquid on their upward movement and not closer than 2.5 cm from the bottom of the beaker
in their downward movement.
Move the basket containing the tablets up and down through a distance of 5-6 cm at a frequency of 28 to 32
cycles per minute.
Floating of the tablets can be prevented by placing perforated plastic discs on each tablet.
According to the test the tablet must disintegrate and all particles must pass through the 10 mesh screen in the
time specified.
If any residue remains, it must have a soft mass.
Disintegration time: Uncoated tablet: 5-30 minutes.
Coated tablet: 1-2 hours.
Market Research:
The India active pharmaceutical ingredients market size was estimated at USD 18.29 billion in 2023 and
is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2030. The market has experienced substantial growth due
to the rising burden of chronic diseases, increasing geriatric population, and the consistent demand for cost-
effective medications. Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and hospital-acquired infections is driving
market growth. Furthermore, an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases
and cancer, is anticipated to boost the market over the forecast period. According to a recent research report on
noncommunicable diseases in India by Thought Arbitrage Research Institute (TARI) the incidence of chronic
diseases in India as of 2021 is 116 per 1000 people out of which two third of individuals affected by chronic
disorders are between 26-59 years of age.[Businesses Research]
Key companies are focusing on expanding their presence across various regions. For instance, in June
2022, Piramal Pharma Solutions invested USD 30 million for expanding its capabilities in Telangana, India. This
initiative is expected to increase active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturing capacity and support
drug development. Furthermore, in November 2022, Aurobindo Pharma planned to complete Penicillin G plant
approved under the PLI scheme by 2024, with investment of USD 2,000 million to ensure and promote domestic
manufacturing of API by increasing the production capacity to 15,000 tons annually.
V. Conclusion:
The formulation of tablets plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and stability of
pharmaceutical products. It requires a careful balance of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients
to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. Tablets, being one of the most widely used oral dosage forms, offer
convenience, stability, and cost-effectiveness. Their formulation encompasses several critical considerations, such
as drug solubility, stability, bioavailability, and patient compliance. Key steps in tablet formulation include the
selection of suitable excipients, such as binders, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants, which aid in achieving the
desired tablet characteristics. The choice of manufacturing method whether direct compression, wet granulation,
or dry granulation is influenced by the physicochemical properties of the API and excipients. Modern techniques
like co-processed excipients and nanotechnology are increasingly used to enhance tablet performance, particularly
for poorly soluble drugs. Tablet manufacturing and its evaluation has become the backbone of pharmaceutical
research. From the various data sources it could be concluded that tablets have got uniqueness and power of
adaptability. The tablets have shown vast changes in the last few decades or so both in manufacturing and
evaluation. The advances in the evaluation techniques have proven to be both economical and time saving. From
the number of manufacturing and evaluation parameters available the scope for the researchers also enhances and
makes it possible for tablets to perfectly cement its place in this ever changing drug world.
Acknowledgement:
I am Hariom Rajput from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (R.G.P.V) University Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh. I am pursuing Master’s pharmacy specific branch pharmacology. My Co- Author Md Shehbaz
from RKDF College of Pharmacy Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (SRK UNIVERSITY). He is pursuing pharmacy.
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