Effect of Binder Concentration and Method of Addition on Granule Growth in a High Intensity Mixer

Evaluation of binders in twin-screw wet granulation - Optimization of tabletability

The influence of hydroxypropyl cellulose type (HPC-SSL SFP, HPC-SSL), concentration (2 %, 3.5 %, 5 %) and filler (lactose, calcium hydrogen phosphate (DCP)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)) on twin-screw wet granulation and subsequent tableting was studied. The aim was to identify the formulation of the highest tabletability which still fulfills the requirements of the disintegration. Lactose combined with 5 % binder enabled a higher tabletability and a faster disintegration than DCP/MCC. It was found that tabletability of lactose formulations can be increased by higher binder concentration and higher compression pressure while tabletability of DCP/MCC formulations can be only increased by higher compression pressure. It was observed that batches containing DCP/MCC failed the disintegration test, if the highest binder concentration and the highest compression pressure were used. To ensure a fast disintegration, the compression pressure or at least the binder concentration had to be low. Changing the disintegrant and its localization improved the DCP/MCC formulation, resulting in faster disintegration than lactose tablets. However, it also resulted in a lower tabletability. In this study best tablets were achieved with 3.5 % or 5 % binder and lactose as filler. These tablets presented the highest tabletability but still disintegrated in less than 500 s.

In Situ Cocrystallization of Dapsone and Caffeine during Fluidized Bed Granulation Processing

Different pharmaceutical manufacturing processes have been demonstrated to represent feasible platforms for the production of pharmaceutical cocrystals. However, new methods are needed for the manufacture of cocrystals on a large scale. In this work, the suitability of the use of a fluidized bed system for granulation and concomitant cocrystallization was investigated. Dapsone (DAP) and caffeine (CAF) have been shown to form a stable cocrystal by simple solvent evaporation. DAP is the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and CAF is the coformer. In the present study, DAP-CAF cocrystals were produced through liquid-assisted milling and the product obtained was used as a cocrystal reference. The granulation of DAP and CAF was carried out using four different experimental conditions. The solid-state properties of the constituents of the granules were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) analysis while the granule size distribution and morphology were investigated using laser diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. DAP-CAF cocrystal granules were successfully produced during fluidized bed granulation. The formation of cocrystals was possible only when the DAP and CAF were dissolved in the liquid phase and sprayed over the fluidized solid particles. Furthermore, the presence of polymers in solution interferes with the cocrystallization, resulting in the amorphization of the DAP and CAF. Cocrystallization via fluidized bed granulation represents a useful tool and a feasible alternative technique for the large scale manufacture of pharmaceutical cocrystals for solid dosage forms.

A quality by design approach to scale-up of high-shear wet granulation process

High-shear wet granulation is a complex process that in turn makes scale-up a challenging task. Scale-up of high-shear wet granulation process has been studied extensively in the past with various different methodologies being proposed in the literature. This review article discusses existing scale-up principles and categorizes the various approaches into two main scale-up strategies - parameter-based and attribute-based. With the advent of quality by design (QbD) principle in drug product development process, an increased emphasis toward the latter approach may be needed to ensure product robustness. In practice, a combination of both scale-up strategies is often utilized. In a QbD paradigm, there is also a need for an increased fundamental and mechanistic understanding of the process. This can be achieved either by increased experimentation that comes at higher costs, or by using modeling techniques, that are also discussed as part of this review.

Effectiveness of binders in wet granulation: a comparison using model formulations of different tabletability

Abstract Based on an analysis of model granulates and tablets, a comparison was made of the effectiveness of the binders PVP K30 PH, Cellulose HP-M 603, Lycatab DSH, Lycatab PGS, and L-HPC (type LH 11). A high shear mixer was used to prepare two model granulates (placebo and paracetamol) under processing conditions which were, as far as possible, comparable. The binders were added as proportions of 2%, 6%, and 10%. Water was used as the granulating liquid. The properties of the placebo granulates (particle size distribution, bulk and tapped density, granule strength, flow properties), and those of the tablets (crushing strength, friability) prepared from these granulates under different compaction forces, were generally good. However, with PVP, Cellulose HP-M603, and Lycatab, the disintegration time of the tablets did not meet pharmacopoeial requirements even though a "disintegrant" was used in the "outer phase." The paracetamol formulations were prime examples of high-dose drug substances with particularly poor granulating and tabletting properties, well suited to reveal differences between the binders. The paracetamol granulates were of higher friability and less flowability than the placebo granulates. The tablets tended to cap, friability was (with few exceptions) high, and disintegration times were long. In the preparation of model tablets containing paracetamol, PVP K30 PH (6%). and Cellulose HP-M 603 (6%) turn out to be the binders of choice with respect to crushing strength, but the disintegration times are too long. Lycatab PGS, Lycatab DSH, and L-HPC-LH 11 could not be used to produce paracetamol tablets that met the requirements.

Roller Compaction of Crude Plant Material: Influence of Process Variables, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, and Co‐milling

Roller compaction of a milled botanical (Baphicacanthus cusia) with and without a binder, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was conducted. Effects of co-milling on binder function and flowability of the powder blend was also investigated. Flakes were comminuted, and the size and size distribution, friability, Hausner ratio, and Carr index of the granulations were determined. Crude herb should be reduced to a suitable size for it to be successfully roller compacted. Larger-sized and less friable granules were obtained with decreasing roller speed. Addition of PVP affected the flowability and binding capacity of the herbal powder blend, which influenced size and friability of the granules. Co-milling of PVP with the herbal powder enhanced the flow of the blends and the effectiveness of the binder, which contributed favorably to the roller-compacted product. Roller compaction is a convenient and cost-effective granulating technique suitable for milled botanicals. Co-milling can be used to improve the properties of roller-compacted products.