Interaction of tablet disintegrants and magnesium stearate during mixing I: Effect on tablet disintegration.

The effect of magnesium stearate on the disintegration of tablets was studied. Three different preblends, containing a slightly or a strongly swelling disintegrant, were mixed before compression with magnesium stearate for different time periods. The results show that a strongly swelling disintegrant, such as sodium starch glycolate in contrast to potato starch, can reduce the deteriorating effect of hydrophobic lubricants on tablet disintegration. However, the interaction between magnesium stearate and potato starch or sodium starch glycolate and the resulting differences in disintegration characteristics can be masked by the use of disks in the USP disintegration apparatus.