9/28/2018 Manufacturing of Tablets by Direct Compression Method :: Reader View

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www.pharmaguideline.com
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Manufacturing of Tablets by Direct
 Compression Method
 Ankur Choudhary
4-5 minutes
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In the past years, processing of drugs was mostly achieved through
wet granulation or related unit operations. Progressively, other methods
emerged that revolutionalized and gradually replaced the old tablet
manufacturing methods. Amongst the new techniques, the direct
compression method uses the most advanced technology.

From the term “direct compression“, this method can be defined as

basically mixing and processing of formulation ingredients then
compressing into tablets. The tablets are obtained directly from the
powder API or other excipients. The successful adaptation of this
method has lead to a reduction in units of operation, less machinery
involvement and minimized processing time.

Manufacturing of tablets using direct compression method involves

processes that can be condensed to three. The order following these
processes first involves using induced die feeders, dry binders and
lastly by using direct compression excipients.

In the process of using induced die feeders, a special feeding device is

used. The device prevents segregation and complements the powders
to flow down the die cavity of the pharmaceutical tablet press from the
hopper. Employing the induce die feeder usually minimizes entrapment
of air thereby increasing the density of the filling powder and its
susceptibility to compaction. Commonly used for a compact formulation
that does not fill the die cavity.

In pharmaceuticals, use of binders ensures that the active and inactive

ingredients are held together. The substances used as dry binders
must have the required cohesion properties so as to ensure that the
tablets are of the approved hardness and crispiness. It is also
recommended that a low binder to drug ratio should be maintained so
as to ensure satisfactory sizes of the tablets that contain high doses of
drugs. Microcrystalline cellulose and polyethylene glycol are some of
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