Evaluation of the Compression Behavior of Paracetamol Tablets Produced by Dispersion in β-Cyclodextrin. Part I: Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Tablets

Abstract

The compression behaviour of three powder products of Paracetamol–β-cyclodextrin solid dispersions (PAR-β-CD SD) and PAR alone were evaluated using the method of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The four powder products were: PAR, PAR–β-CD physical mixture, kneaded solid dispersion of PAR–β-CD and spray dried solid dispersion of PAR–β-CD (PAR–β-CD ratio of 1 : 1 w/w). By observing the surface, side and broken surface of each tablet sample under different magnifications the compression behaviour, mechanism of consolidation and deformability of particles were evaluated. PAR alone and the PAR–β-CD physical mixture were compressed by the brittle fracture mechanism; the PAR–β-CD kneaded solid dispersion showed a good plastical deformation. With PAR–β-CD spray dried solid dispersion a good plastic deformation and mechanism of cool sintering were postulated. The influence of β-CD on the compression behavior of the PAR was proved. The results obtained by the SEM method are well correlated with physicopharmaceutical parameters (crushing strength, disintegration time, friability, elastic recovery and tensile strength) of the tablets.