Understanding Tabletting: A Versatile Process for Dosage Form Production
Tabletting is a process of converting powder or granules into a solid dosage form, typically a round or oval-shaped tablet. The process involves compressing the powder or granules into a mold using a tableting press. The resulting tablets can be coated with a layer of film to protect the active ingredients and improve their shelf life.
Tabletting is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce medications, but it can also be used in other industries such as food and nutrition. Tablets are a popular dosage form because they are easy to swallow, can be stored for long periods of time without refrigeration, and are often more convenient than other dosage forms such as capsules or liquids.
There are several steps involved in the tabletting process, including:
1. Powder processing: The active ingredients and any excipients (inactive ingredients) are mixed together to form a powder.
2. Granulation: The powder is then granulated into smaller particles to improve its flowability and compressibility.
3. Tablet pressing: The granulated powder is compressed into a mold using a tableting press, which applies pressure to the powder to form a tablet.
4. Coating: The tablets can be coated with a layer of film to protect the active ingredients and improve their shelf life.
5. Curing: The tablets are then cured in a drying oven to remove any moisture and ensure that the tablets are stable and consistent.
Tabletting is a versatile process that can be used to produce a wide range of dosage forms, including immediate-release tablets, sustained-release tablets, and controlled-release tablets. The process can also be used to produce tablets with different shapes, sizes, and colors, depending on the specific needs of the product.