#13 Chua, Holiday O.

2E-PH PHAR 3 Lec HW 09/03/14

(10 Defects of Tablets)


Name of Defect Illustration Definition Remedy
Sticking

This occurs in low
melting point
substances, and
moisture supports
defects, lower the
speed up of upper,
and lower punch
leads to weight
variation of tablets.
It produces rough
and chipping surface
tablets, and develops
material on both
punches. Lack of
drying is the cause of
this defect.
1) Selection of
Binding Agent is
essential to solve
sticking
2) Ideal selection of
lubricant in desired
proportion will
minimize this
problem.
Blistering

It is local
detachment of film
from the substrate
forming a blister
caused by
overheating during
spraying coating
solution.
Use mild drying
condition.
Filling

The monogram or
bisect is filled and
become narrow
caused by applying
too much solution
and of the higher
solution applying
rate.
Control fluid
application rate
Lamination

It is major problem
among of all defects
and it occurs upon
storage period, or
soon after
compression. This is
due to air
entrapment between
layers of tablet, low
levels of binding
agent.
It is minimized by
improving lubricant
concentration,
changing the method
of granulation and by
direct compression
technique, it is
prevented to some
extent. Use always
dry material (feed).
Chipped Edge

Tablets having sharp
edge, elongated
tablets are prone to
chipped edge. Due to
rough handling.
Tablet shape is
abnormal than
normal. Use optimum
level of binding
agent.
Granules subjected
to high temperature
will improve chipped
surface (high
drying). This defect
accompanied with
damaged surfaces at
its corners, are also
easily fragmented by
even smooth
handling.
Orange Peel

It is surface defect
resulting in the film
being rough and
nonglossy.
Appearance is similar
to that of an orange.
Use mild drying
conditions, and use
additional solvents to
decrease viscosity of
solution.
Erosion

Caused by over-
wetted tablet
surface, inadequate
drying, and lack of
tablet surface
strength
Control drying rate
and temperature
Twinning

A defect wherein two
tablets are sticking
together.
These are most
common in capsule-
shaped tablets.
This could be
remedied by
reducing spray rate
and increasing pan
speed.
Cracking

Small, fine cracks
observed on the
upper and lower
central surface of
tablets, or very rarely
on the sidewall.
Use low molecular
weight polymer and
adjust the plasticizer
& pigment types and
concentration to
minimize internal
stresses.
Bridging

This occurs when the
coating fills in the
lettering or logo
on the tablet and is
typically caused by
improper
application of the
solution, poor design
of the tablet
embossing, high
coating viscosity,
high percentage of
solids in the solution,
or improper
atomization pressure.
Increasing the
plasticizer content or
changing the
plasticizer can
decrease the
incidence of bridging.