Effect of disintegrant type upon the relationship between compressional pressure and dissolution efficiency.

Four tablet disintegrants: a relatively insoluble sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, casein formaldehyde, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose and a cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone have been evaluated. Three widely used disintegrants, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate and a cation exchange resin were included for comparison. The effect of compressional pressure on the disintegration and dissolution behaviours of a soluble and an insoluble system containing different disintegrants were examined. The results show that disintegrant type can have a pronounced effect upon the relationship between compressional pressure and dissolution efficiency. The significance of this relationship is discussed in terms of the properties of disintegrants and the differing mechanisms by which they act.