Investigation of the effects of process and formulation variables on the quality of aspirin tablets.A low cost Aspirin tablet formulation and Small scale manufacture of cassava starch

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.