The physical and compressional properties of a modified rice starch, E
ra-Tab, were evaluated and compared with those of 4 commercially avail
able direct compression excipients, namely, microcrystalline cellulose
(Avicel PH-101), partially pregelatinized starch, spray-dried lactose
(Super-Tab Lactose), and granular dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (Emco
mpress). It was found that Era-Tab possessed high flowability and adeq
uate compressibility. The compacted material made with Era-Tab has a h
igher crushing strength and a lower friability than 3 other direct com
pression excipients, except microcrystalline cellulose. Tablets contai
ning terfenadine of the same degree of hardness (approximate to 10 kg)
were also prepared using different direct compression excipients. The
disintegration time of the tablets made with Era-Tab was approximatel
y 2.5 min. The maximum of the accumulated percentage of terfenadine re
leased from the tablet reached 90%, and 63.2% of it was released withi
n 20 min. Both the powder characteristics and tablet properties show t
hat the modified rice starch, Era-Tab, is a useful product as a direct
compression tablet excipient.