The binder effect of povidone on the mechanical properties of paracetamol containing tablets

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Binders are excipients added either dry or in solution form to drug-filler mixtures to provide cohesiveness. This ensures the intactness of the tablet after compression. Materials with low or no cohesive qualities of their own will require a stronger binder. Powder compression is the reduction in the volume of a powder due to the application of a force.(Aulton M.E, 2013). The process of tablet making involves optimization of input variables. Prior to compression, the tableting mixture is characterized by particle size distribution analysis, measurement of the true, bulk and tapped densities and evaluation of the flow properties. The mechanical properties of the tablet are measured by resistance to crushing, friability and disintegration tests .PROBLEM STATEMENT. Elastic deformation is a reversible phenomenon hindering tablet formation, whereas plastic deformation and brittle fracture of particles are irreversible and promote tablet formation. Paracetamol mainly exhibits particle fragmentation and high elastic deformation leading to tablet capping. Choice of binder is a critical process in paracetamol tablet formulation. OBJECTIVE. To study the effect of the binders povidone K90 and Povidone K30 on the mechanical properties of paracetamol containing tablets. METHOD. Granules containing a varying ratio of the binders povidone K90 and povidone K30 were formulated. The flow properties of the granules were determined. The mechanical properties of the tablets formed were studied. Descriptive analysis was by bar charts and inferential analysis was by R statistical software version 3.2.0. RESULTS. Paracetamol containing tablets with 100% povidone K90 exhibits the highest mechanical strength as measured by the crushing strength friability ratio (CSFR). Paracetamol containing tablets with a binary mixture of povidone K90 and povidone K30 in the ratio of 1:3 have the best mechanical properties as measured by the crushing strength friability ratio: disintegration time (CSFR : DT). CONCLUSION. A binary binder mixture of povidone K90 and povidone K30 in the ratio of 1:3 produces paracetamol containing tablets with the best mechanical properties and tablets with 100% povidone K90 have the highest mechanical strength.