Determination of porosity and pore-size distribution of aspirin tablets relevant to drug stability.

Total porosity and pore-size distribution of aspirin tablets prepared from aspirin, starch USP, and precipitated colloidal silicon dioxide were determined using mercury porosimetry. The model represented a hydrolyzable drug substance in combination with simple excipients. The role of starch and silicon dioxide on the microstructure of the tablets was investigated, as was the chemical stability of various systems. In general, the porosity of tablets containing a constant quantity of starch increased linearly with silicon dioxide concentration. Examination of the pore-size distribution, however, revealed that a low concentrations silicon dioxide functioned primarily to reduce the size and volume of coarse pores representing the spaces between the agglomerates of starch and aspirin particles. This effect was optimum at 3%. A further increase in silicon dioxide concentration produced tablets with relatively larger pore sizes. Studies of changes in the porosity characteristics of tablets as influenced by water vapor over time showed distinct differences in this complex parameter. A unique trend in the change of the pore-size distribution was noted with tablets containing 3% silicon dioxide. These observations are discussed relative to the stability of aspirin tablets in which this concentration of silicon dioxide produced a maximum stabilizing effect.