Abstract:
Aspirin is generally prepared by Dry Granulation or Direct
Compression method. Maj ori ty of the Pharmaceutical Industries
in Tanzania utilize imported aspirin granules for direct
compression. Preparation of aspirin granules by Wet and Dry
Granulation was attempted. Compression of aspirin crystals
directly was also explored. The quality of commercial brands
of aspirin tablets was investigated and a small scale
manufacture of tapioca (cassava) starch was conducted, and the
resulting starch was substituted for maize starch in some of
the experiments. Parameters studied were Physical
characteristics of the powders, Tablet Hardness, Friability,
Disintegration time and Dissolution. The properties of the
cassava starch were similar to those of other starches in the
British Pharmacopoeia 1988.
Cassava starch performed well as a binder and disintegrant.
Granules made by cassava starch had good flow and good packing
characteristics. Tablets gave very fast disintegration.
Release rates of aspirin from tablets were rapid and were
similar to those of the commercial brands. Storage in metal
and plastic containers at elevated temperatures was
experimented and the batches in plastic containers had better
results.
v
The quality of the tablets prepared by Wet Granulation method
were similar to those prepared by Dry Granulation and Direct
Compression methods. Tablet prepared with cassava starch
paste appeared to be harder and had better friability than
maize starch paste products.
