Novel fast dissolving tablet formulations

Fast dissolving tablet (FDT) is a new dosage form which can be disintegrated inside the mouth within a minute. A comprehensive review of current technologies in making fast dissolving tablet was conducted. Two approaches in making fast dissolving tablet were proposed and tested. A large number of materials were surveyed to find candidates for formulating fast dissolving tablets. Mannose was chosen as the best candidate for further investigation. The mechanisms of fast dissolution of mannose tablets were studied. It was found that the dissolution rate of the material in the tablets determined the disintegration kinetics of the tablets. The strength of mannose tablets was improved by the moisture treatment process. Strong liquid bridges at the surfaces of mannose particles were formed during the humidity treatment, and those liquid bridges resulted in solid bridges that subsequently strengthened the tablets. An optimized pore size distribution inside the mannose tablet was necessary for the particles to merge, yet maintain interconnected pores for fast absorption of water into the tablet. Poly(acrylic acid) superporous hydrogel (SPH) particles showed a high swelling property in various aqueous solutions, and had a very good compressibility and compactability. Poly(acrylic acid) SPH particles were used as a super-disintegrant in tablet formulation. The effect of SPH particles on disintergration time and hardness of fast dissolving tablet were compared to common super disintergrants such as sodium starch glycolate and carboxymethylcellulose sodium. The particle size of SPH had a great effect on the disintegration time of FDTs. A fractional factorial experiment with 19 runs was conducted to evaluate the effects of ketoprofen, SPH, filler and tableting pressure on disintegration time and tensile strength of FDTs. The addition of SPH significantly decreased the disintegration time of FDTs, but had a negative impact on tensile strength. The results indicate that PAA SPH is a promising super-disintegrant for making FDTs