EFFECT OF CROSPOVIDONE ON THE PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF ACETAMINOPHEN TABLETS

Acetaminophen tablets containing minimum amount of excipients and vary ing amounts of cross linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone were prepared under accurately controlled conditions of compression speed and pressure. Th e disintegration time, dissolution rate, crushing force, friability as well as effect of temperature and humidity on these parameters during storage were determined. Increasing proportions of the cross linked p olymer (1-10%) did not influence crushing force or friability but sign ificantly decreased disintegration and dissolution time. Satisfactory tablets with desired properties were obtained by incorporation of opti mum quantity of crospovidone. Storage of acetaminophen tablets at room temperature and humidity for a period of 4 weeks did not alter any of the physical properties tested weekly. However the combined effect of elevated temperature and humidity on tablet properties, especially on the dissolution time was significant. The influence of incorporation of equal amounts of crospovidone intragranularly and intra-plus extrag ranularly on the properties of granules and tablets were also evaluate d with scaled-up formulations.