Effects of interacting variables on the tensile strength and the release properties of paracetamol tablets

Purpose: The individual and interaction effects of nature of binder (N), concentration of binder (C) and the relative density (D) on the tensile strength and release properties of paracetamol tablets have been studied using a 23 factorial experimental design. Methodology: Khaya gum, which represented the “low” level, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which represented the “high” level, was used as binding agent at concentrations of 0.5% and 4%w/w in a paracetamol tablet formulation. The tensile strength, which is a measure of the bond strength of tablets, and the release properties of the tablets- measured by the disintegration and the dissolution times, were used as assessment parameters. Results: Changing the concentration of binder and the relative density of the tablets from “low” to “high” led to an increase in the tensile strength and the disintegration and dissolution times of the tablets. The ranking of the individual coefficient values for the formulations was D > N > C for T and C >> N > D for the disintegration and dissolution parameters while the ranking for the interaction effects was N - D >> N - C > C – D for T and t50, N - C >> N – D> C - D for DT and C - D > N - C >> N - D for t90. Conclusion: The results suggest that khaya gum could be useful as an alternative binding agent to produce tablets with particular tensile strength and drug release profiles and there was considerable interaction between the variables employed on the tablet properties. Keywords: Binding agent, khaya gum, release properties, paracetamol tablets, tensile strength Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2003; 2(1): 147-15