The Effect of a New Glidant Syloid on Pressing of Drug Tablets

Abstract

Glidants are important excipients in drug tablet production. They prevent sticking of the tablet components to the punches of the tablet press leading to its halt. Mg stearate, a classical hydrophobic glidant, has many negative properties, such as reduced tablet hardness, prolonged tablet disintegration and slowing down the drug release. It is also incompatible with strongly acid or alkaline drugs. A newer glidant Na stearyl fumarate and a new glidant Syloid (micronized synthetic amorphous silica gel) show better properties. The influence of the glidants on the parameters of the compaction equation at the stages of precompression and elastic and plastic deformation are stu­died. The effect of glidants on tablet hardness is evaluated as well. Syloid decreases the tablet hardness only very little and provides a higher rate of volume reduction in the compaction process.