Tablet/Introduction
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Why do we need to convert an active pharmaceutical ingredient into a suitable dosage form? (1-5)
Active pharmaceutical compounds (drugs) are used for the treatment of a disease or for prophylactic purpose. An Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) may exist in solid, liquid or semisolid form. They are rarely prescribed to the patients as such i.e. without adding excipients, since the desired effect may not be obtained. Earlier, it was thought that excipients are inert in nature but, in recent time it is well known that excipients can greatly modify the intended effect of a drug. The API and excipients are suitably processed in pharmaceutical industry to convert them into dosage forms such as tablet, capsule, suspension, solution, etc. The selection of excipients and processing of drug excipients mixture is as important as API itself.
Patient acceptability can be improved by controlling the organoleptic properties. Dosage form provides desired therapeutic level of a drug.
What is a tablet?(1-5)
It is a solid dosage form each containing a unit dose of one or more medicament/s. Tablets are solid, flat or biconvex discs
prepared by compressing a drug or a mixture of drugs with or without suitable excipients. Tablets may be swallowed whole or being
chewed. Some are dissolved or dispersed in water before administration. Some are put in oral cavity, where the active ingredient
is liberated at a predetermined rate. Implants or passeries may also be presented in form of tablet.
Tablet may vary in shape and differ greatly in size and weight depending on the amount of medicinal substance and the intended mode of administration.
Advantages and disadvantages of tablet as a dosage form(1-5)
The advantages are listed below:
I.Large scale manufacturing is feasible in comparison to other dosage forms. Therefore, economy can be achieved.
II.Accuracy of dose is maintained since tablet is a solid unit dosage form.
III.Tailor made release profile can be achieved.
IV.Longer expiry period and minimum microbial spillage owing to lower moisture content.
V.As tablet is not a sterile dosage form, stringent environmental conditions are not required in the tablet department.
VI.Ease of packaging (blister or strip) and easy handling over liquid dosage form.
VII.Easy to transport in bulk. Emergency supply supplies can be carried by patients.
VIII.Organoleptic properties (taste, appearance and odour) are best improved by coating of tablet.
IX.Product identification is easy and markings done with the help of grooved punches and printing with edible ink.
X.Different types of tablets are available like buccal, floating, colon targeting, effervescent, dispersible, soluble, and chewable, etc.
XI.In composition to parenterals dosage form, a doctor or a nurse is not required for administration. I.e. self administration is possible.
XII.In comparison to capsules, tablets are more tamperproof.
The disadvantages are listed below:
I.It is difficult to convert a high dose poorly compressible API into a tablet of suitable size for human use.
II.Difficult to formulate a drug with poor wettability, slow dissolution into a tablet.
III. Slow onset of action as compared to parenterals, liquid orals and capsules.
IV.The amount of liquid drug (e.g. Vitamin E, Simethicone) that can be trapped into a tablet is very less.
V.Difficult to swallow for kids, terminally ill and geriatric patients.
VI.Patients undergoing radiotherapy cannot swallow tablet.
Key Phrases
Reasons to go for dosage form
i) To control organoleptic properties
ii) Achieve desired therapeutic level of drug
The most widely used dosage form is tablet
Advantages
i) Accurate dose
ii) Tailor made release profiles
iii) Longer expiry period
iv) Stringent environmental condition is NOT required
v) Easy handling
Disadvantages
i) Slow onset of action
ii) Large amount of liquid cannot be incorporated
iii) Difficulty in swallowing especially for geriatric and pediatric patients
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