Overview, Advantage And Disadvantage Of Pharmaceutical Tablet Triturates

Tablet triturates are small, usually cylindrical, molded or compressed tablets. The drugs employed in such products were usually quite potent and were mixed with lactose and possibly a binder, such as powder acacia. Tablet triturates are usually soft and friable.

All about tablet triturate
Tablet triturate device

Many of the drugs employed in these tablet were highly potent and drug migration could occur as the alcohol evaporated. Only a minimal pressure is applied during their manufacturing, since they must be readily and completely soluble in water.

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Components Of Tablet Triturates

The base ordinarily used for molded tablet triturates is lactose containing 10% - 20% sucrose, the latter being added to make a firmer tablet. A combination of sucrose and lactose is usually the diluent. Drugs that react chemically with sugars require special bases such as precipitate calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium phosphate, kaolin, or bentonite.


A liquid is added to moisten the powder mixture so it will adhere while being pressed into the mold cavities. Mixtures of alcohol and water in varying proportions (typically about 50 - 80% alcohol) are employed; the alcohol will speed up the drying of the liquid and the water will cause the sugars to dissolve and bind the tablet. If the tablet contains ingredients that are very soluble in water, water can be omitted altogether and alcohol alone can be used.

Tablets triturtae are not popular again. The product are not in many countries. However, tablet triturate find many use in community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy where pharmacist produce extemporaneous preparation using tablet triturate. There are small hand held tablet triturate device.

Manufacture Of Tablet Triturates

Tablet triturate molds are made of metal. There are two plates, the cavity plate is the plate that has only holes and the peg plate that has pegs. The mold will indicate the capacity of one cavity in the cavity plate but that indication is only an approximation. Typical die plate cavity sizes are 60 mg and 100 mg.

After production, the tablet are allowed to dry in the die for about 2 hours. The tablet are check for quality control. Those that meet quality check are transferred into a dispensing bottle with cotton wool at the base. Desiccant can be added to absorb moisture within the bottle.

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Advantage Of Tablet Triturates

1. Easy to manufacture

2. Cheap to manufacture

3. Quick to manufacture

4. Since it easily disintegrate and dissolve, it is readily available for absorption increasing rate of effect

Disadvantage Of Tablet Triturates

1. Resulting product may not be sterile

2. Not stable for long storage

3. Not suitable for patient who find it difficult to swallow

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