Investigation on the effect of roller compaction on paracetamol

Abstract

Roller compaction is a popular dry granulation method that has been associated with loss of tabletability. In this study, the effect of roller compaction on a model brittle elastic material, paracetamol, was examined. Roller compaction of paracetamol was carried out at three roll force to examine the effects of roll force on the tablet compaction properties. Paracetamol granules consisting of small fragmented crystals were created through the process of roller compaction. A compaction simulator was used to produce tablets from a sieved fraction of roller compacted paracetamol and non-roller compacted paracetamol. Despite the higher elastic energy to plastic energy ratio observed with tablets produced from roller compacted granules of higher forces, the table tensile strength obtained was higher with a lower capping coefficient. At the same time, tablet elastic recovery was found to be lower for tablets produced using roller compacted paracetamol granules. Prefragmentation during roller compaction process helped to reduce the energy required for fragmentation during tablet compaction, increasing the energy available for bond formation. Roller compaction of brittle elastic materials may be a viable option for improving tablet tensile strength and reducing tablet capping.