A deep dive into tablet formulation additives for expert formulators.
Tablet formulation incorporates various additives to enhance the product's quality and efficiency. These additives play a critical role in achieving the desired characteristics of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets. For experts in the field of tablet formulation, understanding the science behind these additives is paramount. In this post, we will explore the key of the three most used additives in tablet formulation (glidants, lubricants, and anti-adherents), their functions, differences, and considerations that expert formulators must keep in mind.
Glidants / anticaking agents are a type of additive that is used to improve the flow properties of powders during compression. They work by reducing the inter-particle friction, surface charge, and cohesion, which allows them to flow more smoothly and uniformly within the die cavity of tablet presses. Glidants such as talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, and starch significantly impact the tablet's properties, improving powder flow, enhancing tablet hardness, and disintegration time.
Expert tip: Proper mixing and blending techniques are crucial for uniform glidant distribution within the formulation. The glidant concentration is also critical and should be optimized based on the type of granules, whether they are hydro- or lipophilic.
Lubricants, on the other hand, are used to minimize friction between the tablet granules and the surfaces of the tablet press, punches, and dies and reduce the blend's inter-particle friction. Their function is to prevent sticking and binding of the tablet material to the equipment, ensuring smooth tablet ejection and reducing wear and tear on the machinery. Examples include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, and stearic acid. Lubricants primarily impact the tablet's mechanical properties, such as hardness and friability, by aiding in the tablet's release from the press.
Expert tip: Excessive lubrication can adversely affect tablet dissolution; thus, lubricant quantities and mixing times should be carefully controlled.
Anti-adherents; are another type of additive utilized to prevent the adhesion or sticking of the tablet granulation or powder to the faces of the punches or to the die wall. When used in coatings, they form a barrier on the tablet's surface, preventing moisture absorption and inhibiting its ability to bond with adjacent tablets. Anti-adherents such as talc, cornstarch, and sodium lauryl sulfate significantly impact the tablet's appearance and stability by preventing capping, sticking, or picking issues during the tablet process.
Expert tip: It is better to use additives that have a high capacity for retaining moisture, while avoiding any transfer to the microenvironment of the tablet that could compromise the stability of the active ingredient.
At Barentz, we understand how crucial it is to select the right excipients for your formulation. Our focus is to help you improve your manufacturing efficiency. We have a wide range of excipients available for you to explore. Our suppliers have designed products and chemistries that can specifically address issues related to taste, solubility, and bioavailability while improving potent APIs' delivery profiles. We offer access to high-demand functional ingredients and complete regulatory filing data through our global network of state-of-the-art distribution centers and application laboratories.