MODE OF INCORPORATION OF SUPER DISINTERGRANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE PROPERTIES OF PARACETAMOL TABLETS

Abstract

Introduction: Super disintegrants are substances that are used to aid the breakdown of tablets so 
as to release their active medicament. In this research, crospovidone (CP), croscarmellose sodium 
(CCS) and sodium starch glycolate (SSG) were incorporated intragranularly, extragranularly, both 
intragranularly and extragranularly into paracetamol tablets so that their effects could be 
investigated.  
Aim: The aim is to compare the effect of three super disintegrants on the tableting properties of 
paracetamol formulation by wet granulation. 
Methods: Granules were prepared and they were characterized for particle size, angle of repose, 
bulk and tapped densities, Carr’s index (CI), and Hausner’s ratio (HR). Tablets were compressed 
from granules weighing 650mg with a single punch press using a 12mm flat faced punch and 
compressed at 57.5 MPa.  The compressed tablets were stored at 75% RH/25 0C for 24 hours to 
allow for elastic recovery. Tablet properties such as weight variation, tablet thickness, crushing 
strength (CS), and disintegration time (DT), and in vitro drug release were evaluated.   
Results: The results obtained revealed a good flow (with angle of repose < 300) for all the batches 
of granules, CI < 20%, and HR < 1.2 for all batches. All tablets had friability less than 1% which 
implies they passed the friability test. Tablets with intragranular addition of the super disintegrants 
had the highest crushing strength and longest disintegration time as compared to the other methods 
of addition. Tablets with the extragranular addition of super disintegrants had the highest value for 
Disintegration Efficiency Ratio (DER).  
Conclusion: This shows that mode of incorporation of the disintegrant has an effect on the tablet 
properties. The extragranular addition of super disintegrants is the preferred mode of addition from 
the results obtained.