We attempted to develop oral rapidly disintegrating tablets for prevention or treatment of stomatitis induced by cancer chemotherapy. We used a cocoa powder for masking bitter taste of medicines. These oral rapidly disintegrating tablets containing cocoa powder had a chocolate flavor and were named Chocolets. They had been prepared by the wet compression method which, however, is disadvantageous because the process is complicated and requires the use of a particular molding tableting machine. Therefore we aim to prepare Chocolets by the direct compression method which can facilitate the manufacturing process. We prepared Chocolets using either Parteck^TM M200, which is D-mannitol developed for direct compression method, or D-mannitol powder, with Polyplasdone^® XL and cocoa powder (NF-15).

Chocolets using Parteck^TM M200 had higher crushing strength and shorter disintegrating time than those of D-mannitol. When Chocolets were compressed at 900 kgf, they had the highest crushing strength. Chocolets containing 5% or 10% Polyplasdone^® XL had sufficient crushing strength and disintegrativity. Consequently, Rebamipide Chocolet was prepared by adding rebamipide to Chocolet contained 5 or 10% Polyplasdone^® XL.

In conclusion, we demonstrated that for the first time Chocolets, tablets containing cocoa powder, can be prepared. In addition, we succeeded in preparing Rebamipide Chocolets by the direct compression method using Parteck^TM M200 and Polyplasdone^® XL.