7- Influence of manufacturing variables on tablet splitting, weight and content uniformity of atenolol tablets

abeerabughosh's picture
Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
Year of Publication: 
2012
Authors: 
Abdel Naser Zaid
An-najah University
Rowa Al Ramahi
An-Najah University
Abeer Abu Ghoush
An-najah University
Numan Malkieh
jerusalem pharmaceutical company
Maher Kharoof
jerusalem pharmaceutical company
Preferred Abstract (Original): 
Tablet splitting is widely practiced worldwide. Several studies have considered weight variation of split tablets as a mean of estimating drug content uniformity but the analysis of their drug content and physical factors that may affect splitting are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of manufacturing parameters and splitting on content and weight uniformity of atenolol tablets. Atenolol tablets (100 and 50 mg) were prepared under the same manufacturing conditions and using the same excipients. The obtained tablets were checked for hardness, weight, and disintegration. The weight and the content of the two strength atenolol tablets after splitting into two halves were evaluated. Atenolol tablets (100 mg) showed higher values of hardness, disintegration time and diameter than atenolol tablets (50 mg). Atenolol tablets (100 mg) passed both weight and content uniformity while atenolol tablets (50 mg) failed these tests. Half tablet weight appears to be directly correlated with its drug content. Manufacturers should investigate physical factors such as tablet hardness, diameter, and disintegration time that may play an important role in achieving both weight and content uniformity in the resultant tablet halves.