Tablets

Definition

Tablets are a solid dosage form of medication that are typically taken orally. They are made by compressing or molding a mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients, such as binders, disintegrants, and lubricants, into a compact and convenient form for administration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tablets are one of the most common and convenient drug delivery systems, accounting for the majority of oral solid dosage forms.
2. The compression process used to make tablets can influence the drug release characteristics, such as immediate-release, extended-release, or delayed-release.
3. Tablets can be coated to protect the drug from degradation, mask unpleasant tastes, or target specific sites of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Tablet formulations must be carefully designed to ensure consistent drug content, dissolution, and bioavailability.
5. The dosage calculations for tablets must take into account the tablet strength, the prescribed dose, and the patient's weight or body surface area.

Review Questions

• Explain how the manufacturing process of tablets can influence their drug release characteristics.
  • The compression force and other parameters used in the tablet manufacturing process can significantly impact the drug release profile. Tablets made with higher compression forces tend to have a slower drug release, as the compact structure can limit the disintegration and dissolution of the active ingredient. Conversely, tablets with lower compression forces may disintegrate more rapidly, leading to a faster drug release. Tablet coatings, such as enteric or extended-release coatings, can also be applied to control the timing and location of drug release within the body.
• Describe the role of excipients in tablet formulations and how they can affect tablet properties.
  • Excipients are the inactive ingredients added to tablet formulations to facilitate the manufacturing process, improve stability, and enhance drug delivery. Binders, such as cellulose derivatives or polyvinylpyrrolidone, help hold the tablet together and maintain its structural integrity. Disintegrants, like starch or croscarmellose, promote the breakup of the tablet upon contact with liquid, allowing for faster drug dissolution. Lubricants, like magnesium stearate, reduce friction during compression and ejection of the tablet from the die. The type and concentration of these excipients can significantly impact the tablet's hardness, friability, disintegration time, and drug release characteristics.
• Analyze how the dosage calculations for tablets might differ from other solid dosage forms, such as capsules, in the context of patient-specific factors.
  • When calculating the appropriate tablet dose for a patient, healthcare providers must consider factors like the patient's weight, body surface area, and any specific clinical conditions. These factors may influence the required dose and the choice of tablet strength. For example, in the case of cholesterol absorption inhibitors, the dose may need to be adjusted based on the patient's baseline LDL-cholesterol level and their individual response to the medication. Similarly, for antitussive agents, the dose may be influenced by the patient's age, severity of the cough, and any underlying respiratory conditions. Careful dosage calculations are essential to ensure the safe and effective use of tablet formulations, particularly when accounting for patient-specific parameters.

Related terms

Capsules: Capsules are a type of solid dosage form where the medication is enclosed within a gelatin shell, typically in a hard or soft format.

Enteric Coating: Enteric coating is a polymer applied to tablets or capsules to protect the drug from the acidic environment of the stomach and allow it to be released in the more alkaline environment of the intestines.

Disintegration: Disintegration is the process by which a tablet breaks apart into smaller fragments upon contact with a liquid, facilitating the dissolution and absorption of the active ingredients.