Abstract
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has been used as a rate-controlling polymer in indomethacin controlled release tablet formulations. Examination was made of the feasibility of manufacturing indomethacin-controlled matrix tablets using an agitating fluid bed and extrusion granulators. The results indicated that 1) the agitating fluid bed granulator gave porous granules; 2) geometric median diameter and granule hardness were directly correlated with the concentration of the binder solution (at the range of 0.75-1.50% of HPMC) sprayed on the powder bed when using the agitating fluid bed; 3) granule flowability for the two granulators was essentially the same; 4) extrusion granulation led to high granule hardness; 5) parameters determined using Kawakita's equation indicated granules made by the agitating fluid bed were compressible, while those by extrusion showed good filling; 6) tablet diametrical tensile strength was related to granule hardness and geometric median diameter. High granule hardness and small geometric median diameter resulted in high tablet diametrical tensile strength.
